Restorative Dentistry
Sometimes our teeth need a little extra love and attention to help them live up to their potential aesthetically and functionally. That’s why the kind and courteous staff at Smiles by JB offers our patients a variety of restorative dentistry services for the highest quality dental care.
Whether you need dental fillings, root canal therapy, veneers, crowns, teeth whitening (or other cosmetic dentistry procedures), bridges, dentures, or dental implants, we’re here for you. Your oral health is our primary concern. Not only do we want you to have a happy, healthy mouth, but we also want you to have a smile you can feel confident about.
We encourage you to learn more about what special care dentistry treatment options we provide and how we can help. If you have any questions, please contact us by calling (919) 484-0880. We’re always happy to hear from you!
Bridges and Implants
Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Bridges are made from gold, metal, alloys, or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable.
The process of creating a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are recontoured to provide a solid base for the bridge.
After the abutments are created, a mold is taken of the area which is then sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the mold to create a bridge that will fit the patient properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of two crowns on either end to place on the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.
We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent bridge. This will protect the abutments, the exposed gum tissues, and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. When the permanent bridge is created, you will have a follow-up visit to set the bridge. It will be placed on the abutments and the dentist will then use an adhesive.
The bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days, it should feel like you have your own teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.
In some situations, dentists may recommend dental implants. Implant dentistry involves using prosthetic teeth to replace missing teeth. When a dental bridge isn’t an option, a dental implant may serve you better.
If you are missing a tooth, you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause significant changes with dental erosion and structural changes to your mouth and jaw, as well as making it difficult to eat or speak properly. Set up an appointment today to restore your smile.
Crowns
Over time our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration, and others. If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was due to tooth wear, crowns can help you recover your smile.
If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this, a filling or bonding will not be sufficient. Crowns are also a popular finishing touch to root canals.
Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or a full gold crown. To maintain a natural look and feel a porcelain finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth. This will allow it to blend in and appear just like one of your natural teeth.
The process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth.
This mold will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.
The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to be returned to your dentist. At this time, you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have a local anesthetic to numb the area and the tooth will be placed using a cement to ensure the tooth sets in place.
When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10 15 years. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Call us today if you would like to learn more about how dental crowns can help restore your smile.
Bonding and White Fillings
Bonding is a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discolored teeth.
A composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is molded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied, an LED light is used to harden the resin, which is then polished to give you a fresh, new smile.
Bonding is an obvious improvement over an unsightly silver amalgam filling. With the advancements in dental technology, bonding usually lasts for over 10 years. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.
Talk to Us About Restorative Dentistry
Restoration varies from case to case. Some dental restorations are fairly straightforward, while others require more involved dental treatment planning. The experienced team at our dental practice is here to help you with the diagnosis and treatment while providing superior advice and service. We’ve gone through extensive training and have years of experience in various dental specialties in numerous dental fields.
You can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands at Smiles by JB. Call us today at (919) 484-0880 to learn more about how we can help you regain confidence in your smile and help you maintain a happy, healthy mouth.