Crowns

Teeth are often restored using plastic (composite) or porcelain (ceramic) materials. However, when too much of a tooth’s structure has been worn away (by decay, a fracture, an injury, or large filling), a crown or “cap” may be needed. A crown may be needed to

• Restore a tooth when it is unable to support any type of filling
• Support other dental work
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing or to restore a fractured tooth
• Cover badly-shaped or discolored teeth
• Replace missing teeth with the help of dental implants

A crown essentially covers 360 degrees of a tooth to restore it to its original natural shape and size. This permanent restoration fits over your original tooth to strengthen or improve the appearance of the tooth. The crown procedure can generally take two visits, however it really depends on a case-by-case basis.

To determine if your tooth needs a crown please visit our holistic dental office.

Cosmetic Bonding

Bonding is an excellent way to repair or change the shape or color of teeth, particularly front teeth. Bonding is usually a one-appointment procedure that starts with a careful matching of the color of the bonding materials to your tooth color.

Next, your teeth are lightly roughened and a gel is applied to ensure that the bonding materials will adhere. Then the bonding material is applied, sculpted and hardened with a high-intensity light. The final step is a careful polishing of your new teeth.

Affordable, Quick, and Painless

If you have teeth that have stains that cannot be removed by bleaching, and veneers or crowns are not necessary, then cosmetic bonding might be a good option for you. Cosmetic bonding is an affordable, quick and painless way to repair many cosmetic flaws or injuries, including:

• Gaps in teeth
• Spots or stains
• Chipped teeth

Dental bonding sculpts individual teeth without requiring removal of any tooth structure. This technique bonds a composite material that looks, acts and feels like the real thing, to an existing tooth. This procedure usually doesn’t require the use of an anesthetic; is relatively quick to apply; gives an immediate result and is less expensive than veneers.

Though bonding is quick, ultimate long-lasting esthetics requires the use of porcelain, not plastic.

Bridging the Gap

Healthy, strong teeth support and maintain your jaws alignment. That is why when you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth may shift, and your ability to chew and speak can be affected. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, eliminating the gap where those teeth had been. The bridge is connected to adjacent teeth for support. Regardless of the type of bridge recommended, it’s success depends on keeping the surrounding teeth and gums clean.

Nowadays, dental implants are recommended prior to being given an option for a bridge.  We can help determine which is best for you.