BONDING
Bonding involves matching composite resin material to the color of the tooth and then adhering the material to the front of the tooth. This is done to repair damage done to the tooth by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, to close gaps between teeth or for cosmetic purposes.
BRIDGES
This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. The bridge is formed to look like the missing tooth and it takes the tooth's place in the mouth. The sides of a bridge use the two surrounding teeth for support, hence the name. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridgework is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to a metal alloy, or all-ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear and / or esthetics.
It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a whole negative chain reaction. Teeth use their neighbors for support and with one missing tooth, they start to "fall." As this worsens, the bite changes in response to the pressure. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, such as TMJ. The surrounding teeth deteriorate and it is just a matter of time before they’re lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the difficulty of treatment increasing as the neglect continues.
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
This can be anything done to correct imperfections in the appearance of the mouth. Anyone who is unhappy with his or her smile can have it fixed. The upper teeth show, usually, only when smiling, while the lower teeth remain hidden. This is reversed when talking. When talking, the upper teeth remain hidden, while the lower teeth show. The color, alignment and spacing, as well as the regularity, of the teeth are the characteristics that give the overall appearance. Any of these can be repaired to give a stunning look to the mouth.
CROWNS
Crowns are full-coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break or is too broken down to restore with a filling. They are most commonly done after root-canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity that has to be treated, the more likely a crown will be needed.
It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first, any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to accept the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating a crown. Between the two visits, the crown is made in our laboratory, usually of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all-ceramic material or gold. During this time, a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit, this temporary crown is removed. Then the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and then cemented in place.
DENTURES
There are different types of dentures, but they share a common function. They replace teeth that have become loose or have been lost due to bone loss. When bone loss around the roots of teeth is great enough to loosen them or let them fall out, it's time for dentures. Relax. No one enjoys losing his or her natural teeth, but you can still eat and talk regularly.
The entire mouth is examined and a determination is made as to which teeth will have to be removed and which will remain. The loose teeth are then extracted. Dentures are fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain in the mouth, depending on the type. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality and appearance return and one just carries on as usual. Often, implants can be used to further stabilize the dentures.
FILLINGS
Fillings are done to remove decay and replace the affected tooth structure. It is called a filling because a new material fills the hole that decay left behind. Nowadays, most teeth are treated with bonded tooth-colored composite-resin fillings. Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated, decay can lead to tooth pain and / or infection, and the tooth would need root-canal treatment or extraction.
IMPLANTS
A dental implant is an option to replace a missing tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium root form is surgically implanted into the bone and allowed to set. The bone grows around it, forming a tight connection. This additionally slows or stops the bone loss that occurs when the root of a natural tooth is missing. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, Dr. Robertson attaches the replacement tooth onto the top of the shaft.
NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The gums, ligaments and bone around the teeth form the foundation for your teeth. All of the structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may mean something is wrong. With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return teeth to a healthy state.
This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away. The treatment usually involves deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. If the gum disease gets too severe, it may need to be treated by a specialist called a periodontist. This is why it is important to get treatment at the first sign of a problem.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENTS
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is necessary when the nerve of the tooth dies from decay or trauma. Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point where it needs root canal therapy.
A root canal is performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) will be filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up or supporting post and crown are recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root-canal therapy.
SEALANTS
These are used to fill in narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits, which accumulate plaque. This is not because the person doesn't brush, but because the grooves and pits are too narrow to allow even one bristle into them. These will develop cavities over time, and you don't want that.
TMJ TREATMENT
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in the temple area of the skull, mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw, and joint as in it's where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. If something goes wrong, a good deal of trouble can result.
Problems in this area can cause:
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Trouble / Soreness in Opening and Closing the Mouth
- Clicking or Popping of the Jaw
- Pain in the Jaw Muscles
- Soreness in the Area, Sometimes Extending to the Face
Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, filling gaps between teeth, etc. There is no single solution that is right for all cases.
WHITENING
This is the procedure of making teeth whiter, and therefore more attractive. Our office uses several methods:
The tray method is recommended for badly stained teeth such as tetracycline staining, and it may take several months of use to see significant color improvement. For maintenance of whitened teeth, the trays should be used every several months.
DIGITAL X-RAYS
This is a focused beam of X-ray particles through bone, which produces an image on a special sensor that we view on the computer monitor. This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems. X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not using them could lead to undiagnosed disease.
VENEERS
Veneers are a dental procedure in which a porcelain or resin covering is bonded over the outside (visible area) of the tooth. Veneers are usually only done to the part of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling.
The direct technique usually involves placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. This method is usually referred to as bonding. The indirect technique usually involves two appointments because the veneers will be fabricated at a dental laboratory. At the first appointment, the teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks, the veneers come back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory-fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.
There are advantages of veneers over crowns. Far less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure, and are not under extreme biting pressure.