BONDING
A conservative way to help repair minor imperfections such as spacing, small chips, and tooth discoloration, composite bonding involves “bonding” a thin layer of tooth-colored filling material onto a damaged tooth to help improve its appearance. Bonded fillings can also be used for front or back teeth, depending on the location and extent of the tooth decay.
Bonding can be a less expensive cosmetic treatment compared to porcelain veneers and can usually be completed in one office visit. Like everything, there are both risks and benefits with every treatment. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with the doctor to decide if this is the right option for you.
CROWNS & BRIDGES
If you are suffering from damaged or missing teeth, crowns and bridges can restore the function and esthetics of your smile. Over the years, the wear and tear of everyday life can lead to fillings, cracks, and failing restorations. Full-coverage crowns, and bridges, can provide long-term stability for a smile you can be proud of.
Crowns and bridges can:
- Stabilize teeth that have had endodontic treatment
- Restore teeth to their natural look and functional form
- Protect teeth that are compromised
- Allow us to replace one or two missing teeth
Fixed dental bridges replace one or two teeth with a permanent restoration. The bridge is supported by healthy neighboring teeth. This is an advantage for those seeking a non-removable option, as bridge work is cemented into place.
DENTURES
Dentures are used to replace all of your missing teeth on your upper or lower arch, allowing you to eat normally and have a beautiful, natural-looking smile. The denture covers your entire existing arch providing suction against the natural anatomy of your mouth. The Doctors will take precise measurements, and impressions, to provide a custom-fit denture that is comfortable, and easy to clean.
PARTIALS
Partials replace only the missing teeth (when not in a row) while clasping around the remaining healthy teeth for support.
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURE
Do you wish your denture performed more like your natural teeth? An implant-supported denture is a type of denture that is supported by and attached to dental implants and, therefore, provides the same stability as natural teeth. An implant-supported denture is used when a person is edentulous (completely toothless) but has a healthy enough jawbone to support dental implants. The implant-supported denture is fabricated with special attachments that snap onto the implants. Although this type of denture is still removable it provides the following benefits:
- No messy adhesive
- Enhanced ability to chew without slippage
- Slimmer fit that frees up space in your mouth
- Improved speaking ability
- Comfortable, natural feeling fit
SCREW RETAINED DENTURE/HYBRID DENTURES/NON-REMOVABLE DENTURE
In addition to the snap-on type of dentures described above, there are also dentures that screw into dental implants for a more permanent placement. Hybrids combine the anchoring power of implants with the coverage of dentures. However, hybrids eliminate the negative aspects of dentures, including removal, slippage, clacking, loss of taste, and other bothersome aspects. This type of denture is not removable and feels most like natural teeth. It can be removed by the dentist, however, if required.
SAME DAY DENTURE REPAIR
We understand that it is hard being without your denture if it should need repair. That’s why we provide same day denture repair, if the repair is not too complex. Our lab technicians are highly skilled and will ensure that all of your denture needs are met.
FILLINGS
At North Spring Dental we offer two different filling options for restoring your teeth. Before treatment, we will discuss esthetics, durability, location, and extent of decay, so you will have all the necessary information you will need to decide which is the best option to fit your dental needs.
Amalgam Fillings (Silver): Silver amalgam fillings are placed mainly on posterior teeth, where you can’t see them, because they provide acceptable strength and durability. These fillings are recommended for hard to reach, hard to clean areas, and for patients prone to decay.
Composite Fillings (Tooth Colored): Composite is nearly invisible to the naked eye and provides a natural looking restoration without any indication a filling is present. Composite fillings are bonded and cured to your existing healthy tooth structure. The shade is hand-picked by one of our dentists and will blend in with your already beautiful smile.
IMPLANTS
If you’re looking for a way to permanently restore your smile, implants may be the treatment option for you. Implants are composed of two components: a titanium implant post that takes the place of your missing root, and a tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top. Even one missing tooth can make it difficult to chew, destabilize your bite, and cause discomfort. Implants can replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a lifetime. In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. Implants can be used to:
- Replace a single missing tooth or several teeth
- Secure dentures to eliminate slippage
- Maintain healthy gums and surrounding tooth structure
MOUTH/NIGHT GUARDS
There are many reasons we recommend night guards and mouth guards to our patients. Mouth guards help protect athletes against sports-related impacts and injuries that can cause broken teeth, chipped teeth, cuts to the tongue, lip, cheek, and possibly a broken jaw. Night guards are recommended to patients who grind, clench, and/or suffer from TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). For some patients the benefits can be crucial to their overall oral health and the life of their teeth. When it comes to sports, prevention is key. You can save thousands of dollars by protecting your teeth from sport or bite-related forces and injuries.
Drug stores and sporting goods stores offer mouth guards over the counter. However, they are often bulky, uncomfortable, and not as effective as one that is custom-fit to your mouth. According to the American Dental Association, “Mouth guards provide a resilient, protective surface to distribute and dissipate forces on impact by minimizing the severity of traumatic injury to the hard and soft tissue.”
Custom-fit mouth guards are designed for:
- Optimal comfort
- To faithfully protect your teeth
- To be inconspicuous
- To be durable for years of use
- TMJ, grinding, and clenching of the jaw
- To help prevent injuries from sports related activities
ROOT CANALS
Although most patients cringe at the words “root canal,” a root canal is often the best approach for preserving the affected tooth. Root canals can be used to treat teeth damaged from trauma; teeth that are cracked or broken; teeth with excessive decay; and teeth in which the nerve has been infected. There are also times when a patient will develop a toothache due to infection at the tip of the root. In all of these cases, a root canal may be preferable to extraction. The endodontic process involves:
- Taking a digital X-ray of the tooth
- Gentle removal of the affected pulp using the latest techniques
- Final restoration (filling and possible crown)
SEALANTS
Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, known as molars. Because our back teeth are hard to reach and difficult to clean, especially for children, they are prone to decay. Sealants help protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out sugar bugs.” They are bonded onto your teeth forming a comfortable and sturdy defense. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, sealants can reduce cavities in children by 86 percent. Due to their many benefits we highly recommend them for young children and teenagers.
Benefits of dental sealants include:
- They help prevent decay from developing.
- They are a durable material that can last for years.
- They provide a smooth surface for better cleaning.
- They help protect teeth against debris buildup in hard to reach areas.
VENEERS
You no longer have to shy away from smiling for pictures because of chips, stains, misshapen teeth, or gaps. Veneers are designed to help transform your smile. A veneer is a thin, customized, tooth-colored shell that is directly cemented to the front of your tooth. To start the veneer process, your dentist will consult with you about your options and occlusion, and possibly provide a full workup so you can see how veneers can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
WISDOM TEETH
Wisdom teeth are the last molars located in the back of your mouth. They usually erupt in your teens or early twenties. Most wisdom teeth are visible with a Panorex X-ray typically taken every five years. Wisdom teeth are often extracted to prevent crowding, gum disease, recurring infections, and decay due to the inability to clean them properly. If you have an “impacted” wisdom tooth it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, it can cause swelling of the gums, tenderness, movement of other teeth, infection, pain, and discomfort.
