Restorative Dentistry

Tooth Fillings

We offer tooth fillings made of composite resin to restore teeth after removing cavities. We understand that many of our patients are concerned about the materials we put in their mouths, which is why we often recommend composite resin fillings. Composite resin is not only safe but made to match the color of your natural tooth enamel. To learn if you’re a candidate for composite fillings, request an appointment with our dentists.

Unlike metal fillings, composite fillings don’t expand and contract slightly with fluctuating temperatures. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy a cup of hot coffee or a bowl of ice cream without having your filling move. Composite fillings are stable, which means you won’t have to worry about cavity-causing bacteria entering your tooth to cause further decay.

We may recommend composite resin if you need a front tooth filling. Since front teeth are in the “smile zone,” we highly recommend seeing one of our dentists. We’re able to match the color of your composite filling to the rest of your teeth so you can smile with confidence.

The Process

It only takes one appointment to restore a tooth with a cavity filling. First, we’ll numb your tooth with a local anesthetic so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. Next, we’ll remove the decayed tooth structure and fill in the resulting hole with composite resin. Our dentists take great care to ensure the composite resin is made to match the natural color of your teeth. That way, you won’t be able to tell where your white filling starts and your natural tooth structure begins.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown covers the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line. Our dentists may recommend a dental crown to restore the function and appearance of a weakened tooth. A dental crown saves a tooth that’s been weakened by trauma or decay. We may also recommend porcelain crowns to cover teeth that are severely stained or discolored.

We May Recommend a Dental Crown to:

• Strengthen a cracked tooth
• Restore a tooth with a large cavity
• Restore a tooth after root canal treatment
• Cover a dental implant
• Support a false tooth in a dental bridge

The Process

The dental crown procedure typically takes one trip to our office thanks to the CEREC crown machine, which allows us to create the crown in our office while you wait. First, we’ll need to remove some tooth structure so your crown can sit comfortably over top. Next, we’ll take digital scans to create your crown. With our Dentists, you no longer have to experience gooey impression material! Our state-of-the-art scanners return precisely fitting crowns. Occasionally, your crown will require two visits, usually when you are receiving an implant crown. Your dentist will check the color, size, and shape of your tooth crown before bonding it into place. We’ll also check your bite to ensure your dental crown fits properly.

Dental Bridges

As the name suggests, a dental bridge “bridges” the gap left by a missing tooth. To be a candidate for a dental bridge, you must have healthy teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap. This is because a dental bridge is a single restoration, comprised of a false tooth anchored in place with crowns on adjacent teeth. Our Downtown Dental dentists are ready to repair your smile.

The Process

The dental bridge procedure takes two trips to our office. During your first appointment, we’ll remove tooth structure from the teeth that need crowns. We’ll then take dental impressions to send to the lab where your tooth bridge will be made. While you wait for your permanent tooth bridge, we’ll place a temporary restoration to protect your teeth in the meantime.

When you return for your second appointment, your dental bridge will be ready. Our dentists will examine the tooth bridge to ensure it’s the correct color, size, and shape to match the rest of your smile. Once we’re satisfied with how your dental bridge looks and fits, we’ll replace the temporary restoration with your permanent one. Before you leave our office, we’ll check your bite to ensure the dental bridge fits properly.

Tooth Extraction

Although our goal is to always try to save teeth, there may be some instances where our Dentists may recommend removing a tooth. This can be frightening for some patients, but rest assured, our Dentists make this experience as comfortable and minimally invasive as possible. A few reasons to remove a tooth include the following:

• Damage: If a tooth has become cracked or damaged beyond repair, tooth extraction might be the best solution
• Decay or infection: When decay is so severe that it cannot be treated with a filling or crown, the tooth must be removed
• Impaction: If a tooth is trapped beneath the bone or gums and is not emerging properly, it may be recommended for removal. This is commonly seen in wisdom tooth extraction.

The Process

There are two types of tooth extraction: simple and surgical. Our Dentists will tell you which type of extraction you will need. For example, we’ll refer you to an appropriate specialist if you need a surgical extraction. Otherwise, we handle simple tooth extractions right in our office.

If you need a simple extraction, we’ll numb the area around your tooth using a local anesthetic. Once your mouth is numb, our Dentists will use a special tool to loosen the tooth from its socket. During the procedure, you’ll feel pressure, but no pain.

Many patients have questions about tooth extraction pain. Thanks to advancements in modern dentistry, discomfort is typically minimal and should let up after the first few days after your procedure.

Recovery after tooth extraction varies from patient to patient. We will go over home care instructions to ensure the best possible recovery.

Root Canal Treatment

Simply the term “root canal” has incited fear in patients for years. The improvements in technology and procedures have made what was once an intense process, now much more comfortable and effective.

Inside each tooth lies a tissue called the dental pulp which is composed of a nerve and blood vessels. When this pulp becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause pain and potentially lead to a tooth abscess. A root canal treatment serves to remove the infected pulp tissues and relieve the pain that you are experiencing. This procedure can avoid removing the tooth.

Downtown Dental is proud to partner with talented, experienced oral surgeons who can make your root canal as quick and painless as possible. Your dentist will discuss a referral with you in the event that you need a root canal procedure.

Removable Dentures & Partial Dentures

Dentures are removable oral appliances used to replicate the look and function of teeth. Whether you lost teeth to trauma or decay, you can trust our Dentists to determine what tooth replacement options are best for you.

Our Dentists offer full, partial, and immediate dentures to help restore your smile after tooth loss. While partial dentures replace one or a few teeth, full dentures are designed to replace entire arches.

The Process

Our Dentists will be able to discuss whether conventional or immediate dentures would be the better choice. As the name suggests, immediate dentures can be worn immediately after tooth extraction while the gums heal. Immediate dentures are great for patients who would feel self-conscious with missing teeth and don’t mind having their dentures refitted as their gums heal.

Since gum tissue contracts as it heals, we may recommend conventional dentures to be made a few weeks after tooth extraction. That way, you won’t have to schedule as many appointments with us to alter the fit of your dentures.