Dentures

Dentures replace missing teeth and their adjacent tissues with a removable dental appliance made of acrylic resin and, in some cases, a combination of metals.

There are four primary types of dentures:

• Complete
• Partial
• Conventional
• Immediate

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is an appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth. These appliances are cemented into place and cannot be removed by the patient.

As the name of this appliance implies, a bridge caps or covers 2 or more teeth that are cemented into the open space in the mouth, "bridging" the gap. Most people who have one or more missing teeth are candidates for a dental bridge. Proper care and maintenance, coupled with regular check-ups, ensure proper functioning of the appliance.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the premier solution to the problem of most missing teeth.

• Esthetic
• Tooth-saving
• Confidence
• Reliable

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic films painted on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. Sealants are highly effective in the prevention of tooth decay (caries and cavities). Dental sealants are particularly effective on the back teeth, as the back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits and grooves that serve as a host to food debris and plaque build-up.

Because sealants act as a physical barrier to decay and plaque build-up, in most cases, they provide excellent protection. Sealants are especially beneficial for children because their newly erupted, permanent teeth are the most susceptible to cavities. The procedure starts with cleaning the surface of the tooth, rinsing the surface to remove all traces of the cleaning agent, and drying the tooth. A solution or gel is applied to the surface of the tooth, including the pits and grooves, to make the surface of the tooth bondable. After several seconds, the solution is thoroughly rinsed away with water and the site is dried. The liquid sealant is then applied and cured by a blue light.

With proper oral hygiene, sealants are of great preventative benefit.

Extractions

Tooth extraction or dental extraction is the removal of tooth from the mouth. This can also be the basis for future cosmetic dental treatments.

Extractions can be simple or surgically done. Simple extractions are usually performed when the tooth is visible, already loose and only require dental forceps to lift it after it has been rocked back and forth. On the other hand, surgical extraction involves the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed because they have not fully erupted or they have broken under the gums. This requires an incision and frequently, the tooth to be extracted are split into multiple pieces to be able to easily remove it.

White Fillings

Teeth that have been affected by tooth decay (caries or cavities) require a filling.

Composite (white) Resin Dental Fillings were created as an alternative to traditional metal dental fillings. Tooth fillings colored to look like a natural tooth are known as Composite (white) Resin Dental Fillings and are made of a plastic dental resin. Composite (white) Resin Dental Fillings are strong, durable, and make for a very natural looking smile.

Other alternatives to restoring damaged or decayed teeth:

• Porcelain veneers - a ceramic material is bonded to the front of teeth to change the tooth's color, size, and/or shape
• Crown - a "cap" that covers a cracked or broken tooth, unfixed by a filling, to approximate its normal size and shape

Root Canals 

Root canal therapy is designed to correct disorders of the dental pulp - the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

The most common causes of pulpal nerve damage are:

• Physical irritation 
• Trauma

Treatment begins withdrilling a small opening on top of the tooth to allow access to theroot canal. Once the affected pulpal tissue isaccessed, the diseased area is removed. The area surrounding and containing the nerve is carefully cleaned, enlarged, and shaped to provide a clean, bondable surface for a permanent filler to prohibit any further infection and discomfort. After filling, a crown is recommended to complete the rescue and restoration of the natural tooth.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars found at the very back of the mouth. Most people get them during their late teens or early twenties. They are a valuable asset when they grow healthy and properly positioned but they may require removal when they come in misaligned or remain impacted.

Misaligned and impacted wisdom teeth eventually crowd and damage the adjacent teeth Those that grow leaning towards other molars may make these teeth vulnerable to decay by harboring food particles and dental plaque Partially erupted wisdom teeth leave a trap for bacteria to enter and multiply and cause infections.

Your dentist can examine the positioning of your wisdom teeth. An x-ray can evaluate the alignment of your teeth. Generally, wisdom teeth are removed at the earliest possible time, usually in the late teens, when the root of the teeth have not completely formed and the bones around the teeth are more pliable and hence, healing is quicker.