Dental Fillings
Basically silver amalgam and composite are the two common materials used for restoring teeth with small to medium sized cavities. Silver amalgam is a tried and true material that’s been in use for over 150 years. Because it is harder and more resistant to wear it will last longer in the molar teeth where the fine grinding of food takes place. Composite is tooth colored filling material and is best suited for front teeth and premolars. Composites can be done in molars; just don’t expect them to last more than 5 to 8 years. Also, composite is approximately 50% more expensive to place due to the increased difficulty of techniques and placement. Any tooth that has a large cavity, very large existing filling or has suffered significant breakdown is best restored with a porcelain or gold crown.
Root Canal Therapy
Each of our teeth contains a long, thin strand of dental pulp, (nerves and tissue) extending down to the end of the root. This is called the canal of the root. The pulp tissue may become infected or irreversibly inflamed for any number of reasons. A root canal is performed using local anesthetic. An access opening is made in the tooth, the diseased tissue is removed and the canal(s) are disinfected. The canal(s) are then dried and sealed. Root canalled teeth must be crowned to structurally protect the tooth from subsequent breakdown or fracture. Root canals generally have a success rate of over 85%.
If You Are Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can have a significant negative impact in your life. You might hate the way you look, have difficulty speaking or eating the foods you truly enjoy. You may even feel physiologically affected in social gatherings or impaired in your romantic relationships. Fortunately, you have choices to restore yours smile, function and confidence.
Crowns or Caps
For teeth that have significant breakdown or require replacement of a large filling a crown is the best solution. A porcelain or gold crown is fabricated in a dental laboratory using materials that are not only much stronger, but in the case of porcelain, far more natural looking than composite. The broken down tooth usually requires a new foundation (a build-up) followed by shaping and making of a mold. The dental laboratory technician then makes a custom porcelain or gold crown that fits your tooth and bite.
Bridges – also known as fixed partial denture
A bridge by definition spans a space. If you are missing one or more teeth you’re well aware of any gap(s) you have. A bridge can be simply thought of as two crowns on the adjacent natural teeth with artificial teeth that fill the gap. The bridge is cemented in place, has a very natural appearance and can greatly enhance function.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a titanium cylinder placed in the bone to which crowns, bridges or dentures are attached. It is a surgical procedure that involves a specialist and your general dentist.
You may be surprised to learn that titanium dental implants have been commercially available since 1978. There have been many significant design improvements over the years. Today’s implant gives you more choices and provides us with the ability to provide strong, functional, long lasting esthetic solutions that are far superior to conventional dentistry. Industry wide the success rate of a dental implant averages 98%. Drs Fischer and Samani have been restoring dental implants for well over 15 years and will answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Partial Dentures and Full Dentures
Partial and Complete dentures are still a viable choice to replace missing teeth or teeth that are not fixable. Appearance and function can be improved providing a satisfactory outcome. But, if you combine a partial or denture with implants for support and stability it greatly improves function. In fact, for most cases implants can be placed after the partial or denture has been in use. This is definitely worth considering if you want to space treatment out over time.