Fillings

Fillings are "direct restorations" used to repair worn, damaged or decayed teeth. Treatment is usually completed in one visit.

The dentist removes decay and cleans out the damaged portion of the tooth. The prepared cavity is then filled with dental amalgam, glass ionomers or composite material. The filling is adjusted so it assumes the shape of the original tooth and your bite remains normal.

Traditional fillings or dental restoratives include gold, porcelain and composite material. They are strong and durable, and remain suitable where restored teeth are subjected to extreme forces resulting from chewing, such as in the back of the mouth.

New technology in dental restoratives now include ceramic and plastic compounds that have the appearance of natural teeth. Frequently referred to as composite resins, these materials are often used in front teeth where a natural appearance is desired.

Crowns

Crowns are "indirect restorations" that can be used to attach a bridge, prevent brittle or weak teeth from breaking, or restore a tooth that is already broken. A crown covers a tooth and restores it to its normal size and shape. It is also a way to cover teeth that are discolored, badly shaped or out of position. Made of gold or porcelain, crowns are also used to cover implants.

Crowns typically require two or more visits. At the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth and makes an impression of the it. The tooth is covered with a temporary crown. The impression is then sent to a laboratory the crown is fabricated. At the next visit, the dentist bonds the new crown over the prepared tooth, adjusting it as needed.

Bridges

Missing teeth can affect the way you speak, the way you chew and the way your teeth support each other. Bridges can be use to replace missing teeth, maintain the shape of your face and relieve the stress in your bite.

A bridge or a "fixed bridge" replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, literally bridging the gap where one or more teeth used to be present. Bridges may be made from porcelain, gold, alloys or a combination of these. It is then bonded to the surrounding teeth for support.

Implants

Implants are another way to replace missing teeth. An implant is an artificial tooth attached directly to the bone beneath the gum tissue. A titanium fixture is typically used to surgically place the implant in the jawbone to replace the root of the missing tooth, providing an anchor for a crown.

Dentures

Designed to replace missing teeth, dentures are prosthetic devices that are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues. Conventional dentures are removable but others may be bonded or clipped onto teeth or dental implants. Complete dentures or full dentures are worn by patients who are missing all of their teeth on either the entire top arch or bottom arch, or both. Partial dentures are used by patients who are missing some but not all teeth on a given arch.

Dentures may be appropriate for patients who are largely or entirely without teeth, perhaps due to dental disease, developmental defects, genetic disorders, trauma or drug use.

Root Canals

When a tooth is cracked or has a large cavity, bacteria can invade the pulp deep in the tooth, and may cause an infection. Untreated, pus can build up in the root tip and the jawbone, forming a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. This can cause the pulp tissue to die. If the infected pulp is not removed, you may experience pain and swelling. It may damage the jawbone and affect your overall health. If this worsens, the tooth may have to be extracted.

However, a root canal or "endodontic treatment" may save the infected tooth. The dentist removes the diseased pulp, and then cleans and seals the pulp chamber and root canals. Back teeth that have had root canal treatment are often covered with crowns to strengthen what is left of the teeth.

Extractions

Sometimes, a tooth cannot be saved and must be removed. It may be because of too much decay that may affect the surrounding teeth. Or, a baby tooth may have misshapen roots that keep it from falling out, preventing permanent teeth from erupting normally. Extraction may also be recommended for orthodontic correction, infected teeth or problems with a wisdom tooth.

The dentist determines whether a tooth needs to be extracted. It can then be replaced with a bridge or an implant.