RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

CAVITY FILLING

Most people understand that teeth can suffer decay, even when their diet and daily care are adequate. It’s ideal to correct any decay as soon as it appears because it will only progress into bigger problems in the future. At Schwerer Dental Care, we place resin composite fillings in areas that must be cleaned up due to decay. These attractive restorations are made to match the color of surrounding teeth. Advancing dental technology means that these fillings are durable and long-lasting, too.

Dental crowns offer a number of benefits to our patients. When a tooth cracks or breaks but is still viable, a crown can extend the life of that tooth and maintain normal function in that part of the mouth. A badly decayed tooth that has been repaired with a large filling or one that has had root canal therapy may also need to be protected and strengthened with a crown. 

And, of course, dental crowns offer a fast and durable method of improving one’s smile. Crowns can cover broken, badly spaced, severely discolored or uneven teeth, resulting in a dazzling smile. A smile that a patient once wanted to hide can be enjoyably displayed again.

DENTAL BRIDGES

When one or more teeth are missing, a dental bridge returns function and appearance back to normal. As long as healthy teeth are available to anchor the bridge, these natural-colored restorations maintain the shape of one’s face and keep one’s bite intact so that eating is not impeded. One’s normal speech can also be retained by providing bridges. 

With a bridge, intact teeth are also protected from shifting and from the additional strain of having a tooth missing from the space next to it. Missing the support of adjacent teeth can mean that intact teeth become looser and may even be lost. A dental bridge is just one method of replacing missing teeth. If you are considering replacing missing teeth, ask us about your options. 

When decay in a tooth penetrates into the softer inner parts of a tooth, the tooth can still be preserved with root canal therapy. In root canal therapy, the pulp and nerve of a tooth are cleaned out, sterilized and filled with sterile material. Otherwise, the penetration of decay to the inner parts of the tooth would be likely to result in a painful and dangerous infection or abscess. 

The tooth is then sealed up and filled with composite materials. In most cases, this treatment takes place in two appointments a week or two apart. A dental crown is also recommended to protect this tooth’s longevity and strength.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

The latest dental technology advance for tooth replacement is the dental implant. To restore missing teeth, a titanium implant shaped much like the root of a tooth is placed in the jawbone and allowed to heal. (If there has been bone loss in the area, then a bone graft must be placed first to build up that part of the bone to hold this implant.) Titanium is well-known for its ability to bond to human bone which makes it a perfect anchor for your new tooth. 

Once it has healed, then a new artificial tooth will be anchored to the implant. The entire process may take a few months, but when it is complete, you will have the best solution for your bite, the shape of your face and the health of the bone in your jaw.

Complete and partial dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth and, sometimes, surrounding tissue. When either your upper or lower jaw is missing all teeth, the denture is called complete. When just some teeth are missing, a partial denture replaces them and holds remaining teeth in their correct positions. 

The process of providing either type of denture will take several visits. A mold must be taken of your mouth and then dentures must be manufactured. Once they are delivered from the lab, they must be carefully fit and adjusted to ensure you end up with a completely comfortable denture that does not create any future problems for you.