Restorative Dentistry
 You don't have to live with damage, discoloration or gaps when it comes to your teeth. There is a procedure that is right for you and your unique situation. From bridges, to dentures, to implants, we can help or point you in the right direction.
Fillings
Fillings are used to restore areas of your tooth affected by decay. Dr. Johnson use both amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth-colored) materials to "fill in" the surface of the tooth after all decay has been removed.
Reasons for Fillings
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Restoring small to medium sized cavities
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Restoring a chipped anterior (front) tooth |
What Does a Filling Involve?
First, your doctor will answer any questions you have and will apply anesthetic to the tooth requiring the filling. Then they will thoroughly remove the decay that is present and prepare the tooth for either the composite filling.
What Are Composite Fillings?
 Composite fillings are tooth-colored to blend in with the remaining natural part of the tooth. The term composite refers to the actual filling material, which is a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium.
Composite fillings provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small-to-mid size restorations that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, composite fillings are "bonded" or attached with adhesive directly to the tooth surface. This often allows for a more conservative repair than traditional fillings with their inability to bond to the tooth structure. Since traditional fillings do not bond to the tooth, amalgam is packed into the tooth, and may loosen over time. Amalgam fillings often require that more tooth structure be removed to create a space that will hold the filling in place.
Composite filling material is also commonly used to repair front teeth that have chipped or worn. Where possible, aesthetic bonding of composite material to front teeth is generally much less expensive than veneers or crowns. However, bonding typically does not last as long as veneers or crowns.
Dental Bridge
 Dental bridges are fixed appliances that will work to restore the structure and function of your teeth after tooth loss. These appliances are non-removable, so they will become a permanent part of your smile. There are many different types of bridges, and we can help you to choose the option that is right for your unique dental needs.
A traditional bridge is the most common type of bridge that is used to improve tooth loss, and it is made of metal and porcelain. The bridge contains two porcelain crowns fused to metal that will slip over two anchoring teeth found on either side of the artificial teeth. The bridge then fills the gap that was created due to tooth loss.
Reasons for Choosing a Fixed Bridge
There are numerous reasons that you might choose a fixed bridge to correct your tooth loss:
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Restore the smile
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Improve your ability to speak and chew like normal
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Maintain your normal face shape
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Fill in the spaces left by missing teeth
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Prevent the remaining teeth from shifting positions
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Upgrade from removable dentures |
Dental Crowns
 A crown is a covering that will wrap and protect the entire surface of a tooth, allowing it to look and function just like the original tooth. Crowns work to strengthen the tooth while protecting the existing structure, extending the life of the tooth longer that it would be with a filling or another restoration.
Reasons for Choosing a Dental Crown
Dental crowns can correct a variety of problems that you might be experiencing with your teeth:
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Fractured or broken teeth
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Severely decayed teeth
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Cosmetic imperfections
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Fractured fillings
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Tooth protection needed after a root canal |
Root Canal Therapy
 A "root canal," or endodontic therapy, is a procedure available to save a tooth that is infected and would otherwise require extraction. There are many reasons that teeth can become infected, including: cavities, previous large fillings, crowns, cracks, trauma and extreme wear.
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (nerve and blood supply), bacteria and any decay are removed, and the resulting space is filled with an inert material called gutta percha. After the tooth is healed, getting a crown is recommended, because the tooth will become brittle.
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 problematic tooth is the best (and most economical) solution. Extracting, or pulling a tooth, could ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth, as well as causing loss of bone around the extraction site.
While root canal therapy has a high degree of success, it is not 100% guaranteed. It is very important to have a permanent restoration (usually a crown) placed within 30 days of the root canal. If a permanent restoration is not placed, the tooth can fracture or further decay to the point where the root canal must be re-done or, worse, the tooth must be removed.
Reasons for Root Canal Therapy
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Decay has reached the tooth's pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
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Infection or abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip
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Injury or trauma to the tooth
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Extreme wear due to bruxism (grinding) |
Single and Multiple Tooth Implants
 Dental implants are the closest dental restoration to your original teeth. They are natural-looking and provide the functionality of a normal tooth. Dental Implants require the same maintenance as a normal tooth; brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups. Dental implants can replace missing or severely damaged teeth and can be used to secure restorations like dentures and dental bridges. Patients with dental implants often have greater satisfaction and results than other types of dental restorations.
Dentures
Complete Dentures
 A complete denture is a removable prosthesis of white plastic teeth in a pink gum-colored plastic base; the denture rests on the remaining gum ridge once all of the teeth in the arch have been removed.
It is important to note that life with an upper and/or lower denture is a major lifestyle change when compared to natural teeth. Dentures impact the type of food you are able to eat, your self-confidence in social situations and even your self-esteem.
Reasons for a Full Denture
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All teeth missing in the same arch
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Restore chewing ability
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Restore a natural looking smile
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Economical alternative to other procedures |
 An upper full denture will almost always feel better than a lower full denture. In order to dramatically improve the fit of a lower full denture, we frequently suggest using dental implants as a retentive mechanism. Implants placed in the lower jaw can help anchor the denture and significantly improve comfort. Sometimes, the implants can even be placed in the jaw after a denture has been in use for several years.
Partial Dentures
A Partial Denture is an economical solution that allows all missing teeth in the same arch (either the upper or the lower) to be replaced with one appliance. A partial denture is inherently much more stable and therefore more comfortable than a complete denture. There are many factors that help us to determine if you are a candidate for tooth replacement with a partial denture. Among these factors, the health of the gums and the shape of the anchor teeth are most important.
Reasons For Partial Dentures
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Multiple teeth missing in the same arch
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Restore chewing function |
The metal clasps are usually visible and usually affect the beauty of your smile. Often, there are options available to reduce or eliminate the need for visible clasps.
Finally, partial dentures can be designed to allow for the future loss of teeth which may not be as healthy as the rest. Alternatives to partial dentures include bridges, implants, and, occasionally, full dentures.
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