Restorative Solutions
Restorative dentistry is vital for fixing all kinds of teeth damages and defects.
We all would like to maintain our teeth forever. However, sometimes our teeth break down and we need some help to restore them to form. Here at Blue Wolf Dental we have several treatment options to restore your dentition. Through the strategic use of composite restorations (aka “tooth colored fillings”), crowns, bridges, implants, tooth extractions, root canals, removable prosthesis (such as complete dentures and partial dentures) we can restore your smile. Let our team can perform a thorough examination of your dentition to discuss what treatment options might be best for you.
Crowns
Dentistry is an art as well as a science and dental crowns offer a perfect example of this. A dental crown (often referred to as a “cap”) is a covering that fits over a damaged, decayed, or unattractive tooth. A crown completely covers a tooth unlike a dental veneer, which only covers a tooth’s front surface. Therefore, if a tooth is missing a significant amount of structure above the gum line, a crown would be the restoration of choice.
Crowns strengthen damaged teeth which allows them to function normally again. The high tech porcelain crowns crafted to are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. They can even be designed to improve upon a tooth’s original appearance.
There are other materials besides porcelain that we can be used to make dental crowns, depending on what qualities are most important for your case. The long term durability of cast gold crowns cannot be beat, but it is not always the most aesthetic choice. Porcelain fused to metal crowns (PFM) are also available which have a metal interior for strength and a porcelain exterior for a more natural appearance. Another option is a crown made of zirconia which is the strongest ceramic available in dentistry. The pros and cons of all these options will be discussed with you.
Crowning a Tooth
The crowning or capping of a tooth usually is a two to three visit process. At the first visit, your tooth is prepared to receive its new crown. The tooth is shaved down to a uniform shape to allow it to fit inside the new covering. This process is completed while you are numb. In some cases there is very little tooth structure left to begin with which requires the tooth to be built up with filling material in order to support the crown.
After the tooth is prepared, impressions of your teeth are taken, either digitally or with putty like impression materials, and sent to the dental laboratory. There, a skilled technician use the impressions will be used to make models of your teeth for the creation of a crown. The models will serve as guides to ensure that your new crown is designed to enhance your smile and function well within your bite.
Before the end of your first appointment, a temporary crown will be attached to your tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, your permanent crown will be attached to your tooth with either a resin that hardens when exposed to a special light source or a type of permanent cement.
Taking Care of Your Crowns
Crowns require the same level of care as your natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss between all of your teeth every day to reduce the buildup of dental plaque. When you have crowns, it is even more important to maintain your regular schedule of cleanings at the dental office. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, wearing a night guard is a good idea to protect your teeth and your investment.
Bridges
Missing teeth can cause a noticeable change in in the way we speak and eat. Fortunately we now have many options to restore your smile. Bridges or “fixed partial dentures” are a form of tooth replacement used where a tooth or several teeth are missing. Unlike a removable partial dentures, which can be taken out to clean, a fixed bridge is permanently cemented in and can only be removed by a dentist. They replace missing teeth by attaching to abutments, which are either natural teeth or dental. Fixed bridges are made by placing crowns on the abutments and fusing the crowns to the tooth replacement which is called a pontic. This bridge is then bonded onto the abutments.
The procedure for a bridge usually takes two appointments to complete. At the first appointment the abutment teeth on either side of the gap are prepared by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin. Accurate impressions of the prepared teeth are then taken and sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge will be constructed. A temporary bridge will be made and temporarily cemented while your permanent bridge is being fabricated. It usually takes about three weeks for the bridge to be fabricated by the dental lab. At your second visit, the bridge is adjusted for fit and cemented in place.
Though bridges can be a great restorative option, they are not indicated for all patients. Bridges require support on both sides of the area missing teeth either by other teeth or implants in order to be placed. Also, in situations where the two adjacent teeth are healthy and require no restorations an implant is a much more conservative treatment alternative. If you are interested in replacing a missing tooth, let the team at Blue Wolf Dental review what treatment options may be best for you.
Dental Implants
If you are missing a tooth or several teeth you know it can greatly affect your ability to chew certain foods and even your quality of life. Studies show that the loss of a tooth will lead to bone loss in the jaw and consequences that often lead to the loss of adjacent teeth. Missing teeth can compromise our esthetics, which can be a source of anxiety or even depression. Dental implants area a great solution for the loss of a tooth or several teeth. Implants closely mimic your original dentition in form and function. Most dental professionals consider it to be the best way to restore a missing tooth.
If you have been told you are not a candidate for dental implants we encourage you to come in for a consult. With the use of state of the art three dimensional imaging, surgical guides can be used to achieve precise placement of implants while avoiding any critical anatomy. Using three dimensional imaging and the latest planning technology we can now place implants in many situations that were not possible in the past.
Dentures
Coming soon…
Dental Extractions
Our goal at Blue Wolf Dental is to preserve your natural teeth and keep them healthy for as long as possible. There are times when it is in your best interest (or your child) to have a tooth extracted (removed). This could be the case for a variety of reasons, including: damage or trauma to the tooth, extensive tooth decay, or even overcrowding.
Whatever the reason, tooth extraction is more often than not a very routine procedure. How straightforward this minor surgery is will depend several factors like your health history, the location in the mouth of the tooth to be extracted, and the position of the tooth roots. For example, a front tooth with a single straight root is easier to remove than a molar with multiple roots. This is especially true for wisdom teeth that are below the surface surrounded by gum tissue and bone. This is also referred to as an impacted tooth. We often see this with a wisdom tooth due to other teeth blocking its path preventing full eruption.
Still, tooth extraction is nothing to be feared when done by a gentle, experienced hand. Keep in mind that a tooth is not rigidly fixed in its surrounding bone. Teeth are actually attached to the bone via a network of fibers that form what is known as the periodontal ligament. By carefully manipulating the tooth, these fibers can be detached and the tooth freed without much trouble.
The first step in any dental extraction is a radiographic (x-ray) examination to assess the position of the tooth roots and the condition of the surrounding bone. This will allow any possible complications to be anticipated prior to the procedure. A thorough medical and drug history is taken, to ensure that you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure. Your options for anesthesia and sedation will be discussed.
With every dental extraction local anesthesia is provided to numb the teeth to be removed, surrounding bone, and gum tissues in the area. For some patients additional sedatives nitrous oxide (which is inhaled), oral sedatives (taken in pill form), or conscious sedation (IV sedation) will be used to manage any anxiety.
As the tooth is being removed, steps are taken to ensure the bone and gums that surround it are not damaged. Sometimes, in the process of removing a tooth, a small amount of lab processed bone grafting material is placed into the extraction socket to help preserve the bone volume there. This is particularly important when the placement of a dental implant is anticipated in the future.
Immediately after your tooth is extracted, the socket will be covered with sterile gauze; gentle pressure will be applied for 10-20 minutes to control any bleeding. Small sutures (stitches) might also be used for this purpose. It’s normal to experience some mild to moderate post-operative discomfort and/or swelling. Taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and/or aspirin the day of surgery should control most symptoms. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to ensure infection-free healing. Using ice packs on the outside of your jaw, and eating softer foods until you feel more comfortable can also be helpful. Within a few days, all should be back to normal.
