Restoration Dentistry in Germantown
At Poplar Pike Dental, we strive to help you maintain a healthy smile. However, accidents happen, so we offer restorative techniques and solutions to help you regain a happy, healthy smile.
Porcelain Crowns (Caps)
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that we can't fix with fillings or other restorations.
Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth-colored crown) is the most popular because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, you may eventually need to replace them.
Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth, giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
Reasons for Crowns
- Broken or fractured teeth.
- Cosmetic enhancement.
- Decayed teeth.
- Fractured fillings.
- Large fillings.
- Tooth has a root canal.
The Process of Getting a Crown
A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment includes taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that we’ll use to create your custom crown.
A mold will also create a temporary crown that will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until a dental laboratory fabricates your new crown.
While the tooth is numb, your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to fit the crown properly.
Once these details are accomplished, Dr. Dugard will place your temporary crown with temporary cement and check your bite to ensure you are biting properly.
At your second appointment, we’ll remove your temporary crown, clean the tooth, and carefully place your new crown to ensure accurate spacing and bite.
You’ll receive care instructions and are encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.
Composite Fillings
A composite (tooth-colored) filling can repair a tooth affected by decay, cracks, or fractures. Your dentist will remove the decayed or affected portion of the tooth and use a composite filling to fill the space.
Many filling materials are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings and silver amalgam fillings are the most widely used today.
Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth and are more aesthetically pleasing to use in front teeth or more visible areas of the mouth.
As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may have to be replaced someday. However, they're incredibly durable and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.
Reasons for Composite Fillings
- Chipped teeth.
- Closing space between two teeth.
- Cracked or broken teeth.
- Decayed teeth.
- Worn teeth.
The Composite Filling Process
Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay as needed and thoroughly clean and prepare the space before placing the new filling.
We'll apply a special medication for added protection if the decay is near the tooth's nerve. Dr. Dugard will then place, shape, and polish the filling, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.
It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when you first get your composite fillings; however, this will subside soon after your tooth acclimates to the new filling.
Your dentist will provide thorough care instructions after your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new fillings.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. To save the tooth, we'll remove the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay and fill the resulting space with medicated dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth with problems is the solution, but you may not realize that extracting a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although we'll occasionally need to retreat a tooth due to new infections.
A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).
While the tooth is numb, we'll place a rubber dam around it to keep it dry and free of saliva.
Next, we'll make an access opening on top of the tooth and put a series of root canal files into the space, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, tooth decay, and bacteria.
Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, we'll seal it with a permanent filling, or if additional appointments are needed, we'll place a temporary filling.
At the next appointment about a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials, and a filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth.
All teeth with root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed to protect the tooth, prevent it from breaking, and restore it to its full function.
After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.
You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Sometimes no symptoms are present.
- Swelling or tenderness.
Reasons for Root Canal Therapy
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
- Infection or abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
- Injury or trauma to the tooth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants use durable titanium that allows us to surgically embed prosthetic teeth into the jawbone for a stable fit. Dental implants are the next best thing for a strong bite besides your natural teeth.
Tooth Extraction
Poplar Pike Dental provides tooth extraction, when necessary, to prevent the spread of infection or complications. Common reasons for extraction include impacted teeth, teeth that haven't erupted, or wisdom teeth.