Restorative services involve efforts to restore teeth to their normal structure and function, repairing damage such as tooth decay, damage from wear, fracturing or injuries.
We offer the following restorative procedures and treatments:
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Fillings
When removing decay from your teeth we aim to restore your teeth to their natural form and function. This is important because not only do you want your tooth to look like the others, but you want it to be a functional component in your mouth. We can restore your teeth with a variety of materials ranging from amalgam, white composite and gold fillings. Each type of material has pros and cons and one may last longer than others based on the situation. These options will be discussed with you before treatment is completed.
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Gold Crowns, Inlays and Onlays
Gold crowns have been used for many years and tend to last the longest because they do not chip or break. There is a certain skill involved in designing a gold crown for your teeth, especially a partial crown. A partial crown is one that covers only part of your tooth instead of the entire surface, resulting in a much more conservative solution that maintains the bulk of your natural tooth. Gold crowns have been shown to last longer than any other type of crown, which is why Dr. Mike and Dr. Kanda have invested time into learning the gold preparation techniques developed by Dr. R. V. Tucker.
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Porcelain Crowns
“Porcelain crowns” are divided up into three categories depending on the materials that are used to fabricate the crown. Traditionally, a base made of a metallic alloy is covered by porcelain to give the crown a white appearance resembling a tooth. The entire crown does not have to be covered by porcelain so you can achieve the esthetics of porcelain crowns with the durability of metal crowns on the functional surface. The modern porcelain crowns are made up of two different materials, lithium disilicate and zirconia. Lithium disilicate crowns are durable crowns that offer the best esthetic result while offering the advantage of being able to bond to the tooth itself. Zirconia is, although white in appearance, classified as a metal and is the strongest material used to make crowns in dentistry. Each material has pros and cons and suggestions will be made depending on your situation.
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Veneers
Porcelain veneers can make a significant change to an individual’s smile, especially if you have multiple fillings that are visible when you smile, have crooked teeth, or simply have chipped and discolored teeth. It is difficult to get a perfect color match when doing a filling on a front tooth and they do not stain over time like your teeth so they tend to become visible over time. Also, in some cases patients have one discolored front tooth from previous trauma and that can single tooth can be masked to match the rest of your teeth. If you are unsure of whether or not you would like the look of veneers we can set up a consultation and explain whether or not you are a good candidate. We are able to show you a mock up on your teeth that will help us decide what shape and color you would like to proceed with.
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Bridges
A dental bridge is fabricated when there is one or more teeth missing between two healthy natural teeth. We are able to seat a “bridge” of teeth across this span, which is supported by crowns placed on the natural teeth. This allows for an individual to replace gaps in their smile and have the ability to chew foods with confidence.
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Root Canals
A root canal is performed when a cavity, which is caused by bacteria, has progressed to a point that it has reached the core of the tooth which contains the nerve. This results in an infection of the nerve and travels towards the jawbone, where it can spread and cause bone loss. When the nerve is infected it needs to be removed in order for the infection to be resolved and your body will resolve the infection present in your jawbone. Unfortunately, antibiotics alone will not resolve this type of infection. When performing a root canal the infected nerve of the tooth is removed while keeping the natural tooth intact within the jawbone. The alternative is to remove the entire tooth as a whole, as this will result in the removal the infected nerve within the tooth. In most cases, it is recommended to save a tooth when possible.
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Partial and Complete Dentures
Partial dentures can be used to restore the dentition of an individual that is missing some teeth and would like a full set of teeth again. The teeth on a partial denture depend on the support of the natural teeth that are still present so it is imperative that these natural teeth are healthy and strong. The most long lasting partial denture has a metal framework that is used to support false teeth and gums in areas where teeth are missing. We take a step by step approach to ensure the framework fits well and that you are happy with the look of the denture supported teeth.
Complete dentures can be designed and fabricated through our office. Whether you need to have your teeth extracted and have your first denture inserted the same day, or you need a new denture to replace your current ones, we will work with you to ensure that you are happy with the look and feel of your new teeth. Depending on how long ago you lost your teeth, the fit and feel of your dentures will vary based on your situation. When inadequate support is available from your current status of your jaws, then implants can provide the much needed support to stabilize your dentures.
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Teeth Whitening
There are a multitude of products available that have different components and results when it comes to teeth whitening. We offer custom made whitening trays and bleaching solutions to help you safely and effectively whiten your teeth. This can be done in the comfort of your own home.