Restorative

Tooth Colored Fillings

We are a mercury-free practice. However, many people still have silver/mercury fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver/mercury fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Porcelain inlays and tooth-colored restorations (onlays) create fillings that are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable), but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are aesthetically pleasing and very strong thanks to new bonding technologies.

Disadvantages Of Silver Fillings

Silver fillings have many drawbacks. The edges of the silver filling can wear down, become weak or break. This results in the tooth not being protected and creates an environment where cavities can develop. With age, the metal of a silver filling expands, contracts, and can cause the tooth to fracture.

Silver fillings contain 50 percent mercury. They can corrode, leak, and cause stains on your teeth and gums.

Fortunately, silver fillings can safely be replaced with tooth-colored restorations.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations. Resin onlays are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. Such restorations can be used in instances where minimal tooth structure has been lost.

Since the resin used in tooth-colored restorations contain fluoride this can help prevent decay. The resin wears like natural teeth and does not require placement at the gum line, which is healthier for your gums!

The result is a beautiful smile!

Replacing Silver Fillings With A Tooth-Colored Restoration

You can have your silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored restorations. This process requires only one appointment.

• The old filling is removed and any additional decay.
• A conditioning gel is placed on your tooth to prepare it for the new tooth-colored restoration.
• Bonding cement is placed on the tooth and a high intensity light bonds the resin to the tooth.
• The tooth is then polished.

Your teeth are restored to a natural look and feel, they are stronger and the tooth is protected!

Crowns

Most dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

When teeth are too severely damaged or decayed for fillings, porcelain or porcelain fused to semi-precious metal crowns may be recommended. Crowns provide complete coverage of a tooth, thus providing protection and strength. Crowns can also provide cosmetic improvements in instances where the shade or shape of a tooth is not ideal. With proper care, crowns can last several years.

How Long Does It Take?

Depending on the type of crown that is fabricated, your restoration may be completed Same Day! Cerec technology allows us to prepare the tooth and place the final restoration all in one visit, no messy impressions required! Crowns that are fabricated Same Day are milled out of porcelain in as little as 15 minutes. This is a great option because it saves you an additional visit.

When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, a porcelain fused to semi-precious crown may be recommended. Your final restoration will be porcelain, but it will be reinforced with metal on the inside where it is cemented to the remaining tooth structure. If this type of restoration is recommended, impressions will be taken and sent to a lab where your crown will be fabricated. Usually, 2-3 weeks are needed between the visit to prepare the tooth and the visit to deliver your final crown. During this time, you will have a temporary crown in place.

Dr. Meister will talk to you about which type of crown would be best for you.

Key Benefits

• Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
• Provides a natural appearance
• Fixes "smile" and functional chewing problems.

What Is The Capability Of A Crown?

Crown and bridgework is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused through accidents, disease, or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. Materials used in these repairs are either high-grade porcelain or porcelain fused to precious metal. Where accidental damage has occurred resulting in lost teeth, or teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or as the result of old fillings breaking, crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.

Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth that is usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause appearance problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not.

Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing, and maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn't necessarily have to occur as you age. But if you do lose teeth, they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Options

A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges) or they can be removable.

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

If you're missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it's difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

What Is A Bridge/Fixed Partial Denture?

A bridge is a restoration that fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

Why Do I Need A Bridge?

Function and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.

Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a bridge.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How Is A Bridge Attached?

The procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment, Dr. Meister will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to the lab where the bridge will be fabricated.

Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

What Materials Are Used?

Bridges can be fabricated from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either a precious or non-precious metal.

How Do I Take Care Of My Bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance since the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

Inlays/Onlays

When over half of the tooth’s biting surface is damaged, a dentist will often recommend an inlay or onlay.

What Are Inlays & Onlays?

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the tooth after the damaged/decayed portion is removed. An inlay (which is similar to a filling) is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay, but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color that can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

How Are They Applied?

Inlays and onlays can be completed in one visit. During this visit the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. The tooth is then scanned and a 3D image of the tooth is sent to our computer where the inlay or onlay is then milled out. Dr. Meister will then make sure that the inlay or onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay or onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, since inlays and onlays are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, they can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, inlays and onlays typically last significantly longer than composite resin restorations. In some cases where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

For those patients that have suffered catastrophic loss, or for those who wish to completely change the appearance and function of their smile, Full Mouth Reconstruction may be recommended.

Depending on individual needs, Full Mouth Reconstruction can be a compilation of several different procedures. Everything from orthodontics, to veneers, to implants may be recommended to achieve the desired result.

A complementary consultation is the first step in understanding what your treatment options are and what services would best meet your needs. Call today to schedule your complimentary visit!