Restorative Dentistry
A bonding or filling is used to fix a small deficiency or small cavity after all decay has been removed, usually in a single visit. These are direct restorations in which your dentist expertly fills and contours your tooth, preventing decay from spreading and restoring your tooth’s strength and appearance.
At NVAD, we exclusively use tooth colored composite resin for our fillings and bondings, keeping up with the latest advances and committing to providing the highest standard of care. Years ago, fillings were commonly completed with mercury-containing silver amalgam. These fillings can last many years with no issue, but due to metal components in the amalgam, they can eventually cause cracks in the teeth. Dr. Avianto's conservative approach for these amalgam-filled teeth includes only recommending treatment if there is recurrent decay, deep crack lines, or if there is an aesthetic concern for the patient.
Many patients share the common experience of having a chip on the edge of their front tooth restored with a bonding that has broken off over and over. Talk to your dentist about whether veneers are a more sustainable and aesthetic solution for you!
A crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that covers an existing tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Our crowns are virtually indetectable in the mouth, blending in with the natural teeth and occlusion. A crown may be needed when a tooth has too much decay for a filling to restore, when a tooth fractures, when a tooth has undergone root canal therapy, or if there is decay under a previously placed crown. A crown is also used to cover a dental implant or even to improve aesthetics. Our crowns are typically completed in two visits. The first visit is for your dentist to skillfully prepare your tooth, which includes removing any and all decay and creating the ideal shape for the dental lab to fabricate your porcelain crown. A digital impression is then taken and sent to our dental lab for the talented technicians to craft your custom crown. During your second visit, about one to two weeks after your first, your crown is ready to be inserted, stabilizing your tooth and allowing you to return to normal function.
Porcelain veneers are a conservative way to enhance your smile without drastically altering your natural tooth structure. A thorough consultation is the first step to discuss your smile goals and evaluate your unique tooth and facial anatomy. Your teeth are then minimally prepped by your dentist and a digital scan is taken for the dental lab, where your thin, shell-like veneers are expertly crafted for you personally. Your veneers are then skillfully bonded to your teeth, by your dentist, flawlessly blending with your natural tooth structure, enhancing your natural features, and ultimately transforming your smile and confidence.
A bridge is a fixed prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge joins an artificial tooth, or teeth, to adjacent teeth or dental implants. Like our crowns, our bridges are meant to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, while also bringing harmony and function to your mouth. The success of a bridge depends on its foundation: the other teeth, gums, and bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it's very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
A dental implant functions as a tooth root, anchored in the jawbone. Dental implants restore function to the mouth without altering adjacent teeth. Dental implants are most commonly made of titanium and are surgically placed in a strategic way to allow fusion with the bone to later support a crown. Once the implant is well integrated and fused with the jawbone, a process that usually takes three to four months, it’s ready for its crown! Much like our traditional crowns, implant crown treatment is usually completed in two visits. During the first visit, a traditional or digital impression is taken and sent to our dental lab for fabrication of your custom implant crown. The second visit, usually one to two weeks later, is to insert your implant crown. At this point, you are able to function normally and completely, the implant and crown restoring stability to your mouth.
In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. This can be life-changing, improving function and comfort.
Root canal therapy involves removing the infected pulp and nerve of a tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the space, and then filling and sealing it. Root canal treatment may be recommended to save a tooth that has extensive decay or an infection. When a root canal is needed, pain may or may not be present. This procedure prevents infection from spreading and also relieves toothache. After the root canal therapy is completed, a crown is often required to preserve the natural tooth structure. If your tooth already has a crown when undergoing root canal treatment, a permanent filling is still needed to restore the hole where the root was accessed.
Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial. Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for. Use a gentle cleanser to brush your dentures, always keep them moist when they're not in use, and be sure to keep your tongue and gums clean as well.
There are times when it's necessary to remove a tooth. A tooth may have so much decay, infection, or bone loss that it puts the surrounding teeth at risk, leading your doctor to recommend removal. Tooth removal may also be required when baby teeth fail to fall out when they should, when orthodontic correction is needed, or when there are problems with a wisdom tooth.
The root of each tooth is encased within your jawbone in a "tooth socket," held in that socket by a ligament. In order to extract a tooth, your dentist must expand the socket and separate the tooth from the ligament holding it in place. While this procedure may seem frightening, it's important to remember that the area will be sufficiently numb to make the treatment as comfortable as possible and that our team is highly skilled and trained to make the experience a positive one.
Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, your dentist may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth with an implant or bridge.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the molars found in the very back of your mouth. They usually appear in the late teens or early twenties, but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it's not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, severe pain, infection, or even damage to the adjacent teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and gum disease.
It's recommended to remove wisdom teeth earlier than later, before the roots are fully formed, when the bone surrounding the teeth is less dense, and when the patient is younger, all contributing to easier extraction and shorter recovery time.
Wisdom teeth are not always accompanied by symptoms, however, common symptoms include:
- Throbbing pain and discomfort that can radiate to the ears or head
- Swelling and inflammation
- Bad breath and taste
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, please call our office at your earliest convenience, before symptoms get worse.