Restorative Dental Services in Chillicothe, OH, and Jackson, OH

Bonding and White Fillings

Bonding and White Fillings are a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a white filling, or to cover up stains and discolored teeth.

An adhesive gel is placed on the tooth. Then, a composite resin is molded and sculpted over the gel. An LED light hardens the resin, which is then polished to give you a fresh, new smile.

Bonding is an obvious improvement over silver amalgam fillings. With the advancements in dental technology, bonding usually lasts ten years or more. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution for many dental problems.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are often referred to as partial crowns. They use the existing tooth as a base and fit the inlay or onlay onto the tooth. This is done to strengthen the tooth, restore its shape, and prevent further damage. An inlay is done when there is no damage to the cusps of the tooth, and the inlay can be placed right on the tooth. An onlay is used when the damage is a little more extensive.

The decayed area of the tooth is first removed during the procedure. A mold of the tooth is then taken and sent to a dental lab. They create a restoration made from porcelain, gold, or a composite resin. The restoration takes about 2-3 weeks to make, so a temporary inlay or onlay will be placed on the tooth for that time. During your next visit, the inlay or onlay will be placed into your mouth and set with cement. Your tooth will look natural, and you or anyone else won’t be able to tell the difference.

Bridges

Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Bridges are made from gold, metal, alloys, or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable.

The process of creating a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are recontoured to provide a base for the bridge. After the abutments have been created, a scan of the area is taken and sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the scan to create a bridge that will fit properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of two crowns on either end to place on the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.

We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent bridge. This will protect the abutments and exposed gum areas and make it look more appealing than having a missing tooth. When the permanent bridge has been created, you will have a follow-up visit to set it up. It will be placed on the abutments, and the dentist will then use adhesive to ensure that the bridge is set.

The bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days, it should feel like you have your teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.

If you are missing a tooth, you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantage, missing a tooth could also cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw, making it difficult to eat or speak properly. Set up an appointment today to restore your smile.

Crowns

Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration, and others. If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help you recover it. If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked, a crown may be necessary to ensure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this, a filling or bonding will not be sufficient.

Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or full gold. To maintain a natural look and feel, a porcelain-finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth. This will allow it to blend in and appear just like one of your natural teeth.

The process of installing a crown takes two visits to the dentist. On the first visit, the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a scan will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. This scan will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.

The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to be returned to your dentist. At this time, you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have a local anesthetic to numb the area, and the tooth will be placed using cement to ensure the tooth sets in place. When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back. Crowns are durable and will usually last about 10-15 years. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Call us today if you would like to learn more about how crowns can help restore your smile.