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Dental Fillings
Composite resin plastic fillings are available in natural-looking shades and may be used to restore small areas of teeth that have minor damage from decay or chipping. The affected area is removed and shaped to retain the resin material, which is then bonded to the tooth surface and shaped to fit. While not as durable or stain-resistant as porcelain crowns or veneers, composite fillings are a practical means of restoring small defects with minimal removal of natural tooth structure, or, as a buildup material in preparation for a permanent crown or veneer.
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 Crowns, Inlays and Onlays
Custom-fitted restorations are necessary to restore teeth that have become structurally weakened by decay or trauma. Crowns offer full coverage, while inlays and onlays are used only when a portion of the tooth structure requires rebuilding. Restorative materials are selected for durability and esthetics, and include semi-precious metals, gold, porcelain, and ceramics.
Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays are usually accomplished in two visits. During the initial visit, the damaged areas of the tooth are removed and shaped, and a temporary restoration is placed after impressions of your teeth are made. At your second visit, the final restoration is placed to return proper chewing and bite strength to the affected tooth.
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Root Canals
When the tooth nerve is damaged and becomes infected due to extensive decay or trauma, a root canal is often the necessary treatment. The infected nerve is removed from the tooth and the canals are disinfected and cleaned to remove destructive bacteria. The canals are then filled and sealed to prevent further entrance of bacteria into the tooth structure. Teeth that have had root canal therapy lose vitality, which makes the enamel more susceptible to cracks and breakage; these teeth should always be protected with a dental crown after treatment.
In some cases, Dr. Israel may recommend that a root canal specialist, or Endodontist, perform the root canal procedure. We then work closely with the Endodontist to coordinate placement of the dental crown following root canal treatment.
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Biteguards
Biteguards are custom-fitted removable plastic appliances that are worn over the teeth, often during sleep. Biteguards (or nightguards) help protect the teeth and jaw joints from damage from teeth grinding or clinching.
As part of our initial analysis, we will conduct an assessment of the jaw joints (TMJ) and tooth surfaces to observe for signs of teeth grinding or clinching. If these conditions are left unattended, they can result in serious damage to the teeth that require extensive restoration procedures to repair. If you "catch yourself" grinding your teeth or clinching, please bring this to our attention so that we can monitor your condition and take the appropriate course of action to help preserve and protect your teeth and jaw joints.
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 Tooth Replacement
Losing your teeth due to dental disease or trauma continues to affect your bite long after the teeth are gone. Surrounding teeth try to move into the empty spaces created by tooth loss, and, in some cases, teeth in the opposing arch will extend so far that they become loose and may suffer internal nerve damage as a result.
Not only does tooth loss affect the appearance of your smile, it can also create problems in chewing and jaw pain due to poor bite. In some cases the digestive processes are negatively affected due to improperly chewing food. Prosthetic replacement of missing teeth is often recommended to protect the bite and prevent further health complications.
Prosthetic tooth replacements can serve a cosmetic purpose as well as restore the function of your natural teeth. False tooth materials such as porcelain and acrylic are available in natural-looking shades to compliment your smile. Our Team will work very closely with you to ensure that we provide necessary function and accomplish the look that you want to achieve.
As part of your restorative plan, we may recommend treatment by Dental Specialists, such as Oral Surgeons, Periodontists (gum specialists), and Endodontists (root canal specialists). We will work closely with these specialists to ensure that you receive the very best care possible.
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Options for tooth replacement include the following:
• Implants
A dental implant is a small, cylinder-shaped device that is inserted in the place of a missing tooth. This is then covered with a crown or bridge to allow the implant to function and feel like a natural tooth.
Modern dental technology has made implants a practical solution for a number of dental challenges that have been difficult to resolve in the past. Years ago, if too many posterior teeth were lost, patients were left with no other choice but to have their remaining teeth extracted and wear dentures for the rest of their life. Today, implants may be used to replace lost molars and perform the "anchor" function for permanent bridges or partial dentures. This advantage virtually eliminates the need to remove healthy tooth structures to achieve prosthetic tooth replacement.
Dr. Israel works closely with Periodontists and Oral Surgeons that specialize in implant surgery to achieve optimal results in placement of dental implants. These specialists will insert the implant cylinder which Dr. Israel then restores with a crown or bridge, or, integrates as an anchor tooth into a complete or partial denture.
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• Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed replacement for missing teeth which relies on adjacent teeth to support a "false" tooth (or multiple teeth) to fill a space created by tooth loss. A bridge can be supported by natural teeth, or is sometimes supported by dental implants. As with crowns, bridges are custom-made using restorative materials such as semi-precious metals, gold, porcelain, and ceramics, depending on the location in the mouth and necessary tolerance to biting and chewing.
We work closely with our laboratory to create a solid, well-designed bridge that looks naturally beautiful. Following a complete dental analysis with xrays, we will evaluate any missing teeth and offer our recommendations for the use of bridges as replacements.
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• Partial Dentures
Partial Dentures are removable appliances that provide tooth replacement when multiple teeth have been lost due to disease or trauma. A removable partial typically has clasps that rest on natural teeth to secure a metal or acrylic base structure mounted with "false" teeth to fill spaces left by missing teeth.
Special precision attachments are also available to make removable dentures fit more snugly in the mouth. In cases of multiple tooth loss, partial dentures are often combined with dental implants to further improve biting and chewing capabilities. As part of our Complete Examination process, we will evaluate any missing teeth and offer our recommendations for the use of removable partial dentures as a replacement.
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• Complete Dentures
When most or all of the natural teeth are lost due to trauma or disease, a complete denture can be designed to replace missing teeth.
In most cases, complete dentures are the last option considered. With no teeth or opposing forces in the mouth, jaw bone levels can deteriorate over time. If all of a patient's teeth are lost at an early age, this can result in serious conditions in later years.
We explore all other replacement alternatives prior to recommending dentures. When designing new or replacement dentures, we will schedule several preliminary appointments for fitting the dentures, as well as multiple appointments to make sure that they fit well after they are placed. We work diligently with our patients' goals in mind to design cosmetically pleasing and durable dentures.
If you have multiple broken or missing teeth and are considering full dentures, we invite you to call us for a complete Dental Analysis prior to making a final decision.
Our goal is to save your teeth whenever possible.
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