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Restorative Dentistry
Florence, AL
 Restorative dentistry is primarily dedicated to rectifying and reconstructing damaged or missing teeth to recover their functionality and appearance. This branch of dentistry tackles an extensive spectrum of dental concerns, encompassing issues such as cavities, fractures, erosion, pulp infection, and tooth loss. Patients typically seek restorative dental care to address conditions arising from decay, trauma, or other underlying causes.
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What Restorative Services Do I Need?
The restorative dentistry procedure(s) that our dentists will use will depend on your unique needs and aesthetic desires. We will begin with an assessment. Our dentists will examine your mouth to identify the concerns and the specific problems that need to be fixed.
A recommendation on the best treatment option(s) will then follow the assessment. The examination stage involves the use of images and X-rays of the upper and lower jaw. Our dentists will also measure your gum tissue and bone and then review the options available and which ones suit your unique dental situation.
Restorative Dentistry Options
Depending upon the restoration procedures you need, you may require more than one visit to Singing River Dentistry. Most restorations can involve a combination of procedures, and here are a few options available at our practice.
Dental fillings are used to repair cavities or damage to teeth, restoring their function and structure. They are an essential part of dental care, helping to maintain the health and integrity of your teeth.
Fillings are primarily used to treat cavities, which form when tooth enamel is worn down by acids from plaque. Untreated cavities can lead to pain, infection, or even tooth loss. Fillings are also used to repair chipped, cracked, or worn-down teeth caused by factors like grinding (bruxism) or injury. By filling these damaged areas, the tooth is strengthened, preventing further decay or structural issues.
Dental crowns are used to restore natural teeth damaged by tooth decay or fracture. Dental crowns do not replace missing teeth. Instead, they are used to cover your natural tooth to enhance its appearance. Our dentists will reshape the natural tooth or teeth to match the shape of the crown so that it can fit.
The dentist will then take an impression of the reshaped tooth and use it to create a crown. This crown will be placed over your tooth, giving you a beautiful, natural-looking smile and effectively replacing the appearance of your original tooth.
Dental bridges are also an option when you need full mouth reconstruction. They are dental restorations that fill in gaps left by missing teeth. As the name suggests, dental bridges are made to create a bridge that holds false teeth in place.
They can be made as a series of three or more connecting teeth. The ends of the bridge are placed over your natural teeth to form the support needed to keep the bridge in place. Dental bridges create a pleasing smile, in addition to the functionality of the new teeth.
Dental implants are devices implanted surgically into your jawbone to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are perhaps the most permanent and the strongest option in full mouth reconstruction.
The procedure involves the use of a titanium post implanted into the jawbone, which acts as the root that holds tooth-looking crowns. A dental implant procedure can restore your smile and appearance.
Most importantly, the use of titanium posts offers a significant restoration of functionality. With their strong root-like support, your new teeth allow you to continue enjoying your favorite foods - including steak and other meats. You may need as few as four dental implants to securely hold both the upper and lower arches of teeth, giving you a functional and natural-looking smile.
Dentures provide full arches of the upper and lower teeth, and they are sometimes called false or removable teeth. Our dentist will make these false teeth using plastic, metal, or nylon and design them to fit snugly over the gums to replace missing teeth. Dentures are also the cheaper option, but the idea that they are removable can inform your choices.
It is easier to adapt well to the upper dentures that have a suction created between the palate and the base of the denture that helps it stay in place. The lower denture requires an adhesive before it can stay in place, and it can be problematic for some patients. Dentures can also move accidentally when eating and chewing.
Often referred to as indirect fillings, inlays and onlays are crafted from materials such as porcelain, composite resin, or gold. The key difference between them lies in the amount of tooth surface they cover.
Inlays are designed to repair damage or decay within the cusps (the rounded edges) of the tooth's chewing surface. They fit neatly into the grooves of the tooth, preserving more of the natural structure.
Onlays, on the other hand, cover a larger area, extending over one or more cusps. Because they cover a significant portion of the tooth's surface, onlays are sometimes called partial crowns.
Tooth extractions are performed to remedy a variety of issues when your tooth is too damaged or decayed to be repaired. Singing River Dentistry performs different types of extractions depending on how accessible your tooth is.
We will also guide you on the best dental restoration option after the extraction has taken place. You do not have to replace the teeth you lose through extraction, but it is highly recommended. You should not make this decision without allowing our dentist to visually examine and x-ray your mouth first. In some cases, the empty gap could lead to shifting teeth, bone loss, and jaw misalignment.
If you are an adolescent or entering early adulthood, the third molars usually appear during this stage, causing discomfort and other dental complications. Wisdom tooth removal is a common dental procedure that rectifies impaction, overcrowding, and potential complications caused by the eruption of these third molars.
The span of a wisdom tooth extraction procedure can vary depending on the number of teeth removed, their position, and possible complications. A typical procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour per tooth. However, more complex cases may take longer.
Root canals are dental procedures designed to save teeth that have become severely damaged or infected. A root canal is a treatment aimed at repairing and saving a tooth that is deeply decayed or infected. During the procedure, the damaged or infected pulp inside the tooth is removed, the interior is cleaned and disinfected, and then the space is filled and sealed. By preserving the tooth structure, root canals prevent the need for extraction and help maintain overall oral health.
Sedation dentistry involves the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It's especially beneficial for those who experience dental anxiety or phobia, as it allows them to receive the necessary treatment without fear or discomfort. Sedation dentistry has become an integral part of many dental practices, offering patients a more comfortable and stress-free experience.
Schedule with Your Florence, AL Dentist Today!
We all want a perfect smile, and tooth loss, broken teeth, missing teeth, and misaligned teeth can hinder that goal. Visit us today at Singing River Dentistry to discuss restorative dentistry options suitable for your individual needs. Contact us at (256) 904-4220 to schedule your appointment today. We know what it takes to give you the smile you truly deserve.
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