RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

This means treating all phases of dentistry. Restorative services includes the following:

Tooth Colored Fillings - Maintaining routine dental exams and cleanings will allow early detection of new decays or breakdown of existing fillings before pain starts. All restorative materials have an average life span. Poor home care and maintenance will have a higher tendency to develop new cavities along with early failure of existing fillings.

With more advanced tooth-colored materials (both resin and porcelain) bonded into teeth, your teeth can be stronger, better looking and metal-free. Resins and porcelains are used to restore your teeth to their original shape and color. Unattractive black metal fillings in the back teeth are visible when you talk. Bonded restorations can make the back teeth match your front ones and give you a new confident smile.

Resin restorations can be done in one visit while porcelain restorations can be completed in two visits. (See Bonding/Inlays/Onlays under Cosmetic Dentistry)

Before	After

Root Canal Therapy - Years ago, a tooth with diseased or injured nerve were pulled out. Today, root canal therapy can save that tooth. The pulp, which lies within the tooth and extends down the root, provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. Once the pulp tissue dies as a result of disease or injury to the pulp, the tooth gets infected and you could lose it if the pulp tissue is not removed. With RCT, the pulp is removed and the root canal is cleaned and sealed off. A crown is placed over the tooth to strengthen it. 

Root canal therapy is a straight forward procedure with little or no discomfort if treated before infection starts. RCT usually involves one to three visits. This procedure can save your tooth and your smile.

Crowns - A crown is a full coverage restoration that can be used for both restorative and cosmetic purpose. A tooth that is severely broken down due to fracture of decay in excess of two-thirds needs a crown for strength and function. Badly shaped or discolored teeth can be covered with a crown to improve its appearance. It’s also used to cover dental implant.

Depending on the location and the force to be endured by the crown, there are different materials to choose from. Full porcelain (also known as ceramic) crowns are ideal for anterior teeth and creates a more esthetic appearance. There is no “gray” shadow at the gum line since no metal is used. The translucency and light reflection of the porcelain creates a natural, life-like, beautiful smile. Teeth that requires strength and not translucency, but yet looks natural, can be made with porcelain fused to metal crowns. When gold is selected to fused with porcelain, it creates a warm natural glow that results in a beautiful, natural looking crown. Ideal location for these are teeth in the back areas of the mouth or teeth that endures heavy force load.

Patients that see their dentist on a regular basis along with good home care can maximize the average life span of a crown, which can be up to 15years.

This procedure can be done in as little as two visits.

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Bridges - Bridges is one option used to replace one or more missing teeth with artificial ones. They have both restorative and cosmetic implications. Bridges can help restore your smile and restore the function of your teeth, such as chewing and speaking. They help maintain the shape of your face by supporting your lips and cheek to give a more youthful smile. The stress of your bite can be alleviated by replacing missing teeth simply with a bridge.

The restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials. A criteria for this procedure is surrounding teeth must be healthy and have good bone support. Components of a bridge are abutment and pontic. Abutments are supporting teeth that are reduced to accept a crown, and there are at least two per bridge. These two crowns are connected by a pontic, which is a missing tooth. Depending on the number of pontics and abutments, bridges vary in length. This procedure can take two to three visits to complete. 

Unlike removal prosthesis, such as partials and dentures which the patient can remove and clean daily, a fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist. Patients with bridges should visit for a
professional cleaning and exam three to four times a year to prevent premature failure.

Implants - Implants is another fixed prosthesis option to consider for replacing single or multiple teeth. They can even help anchor a removable appliance like a denture. Just as bridges, implants restore both function and cosmetics. But unlike bridges, they do not rely on adjacent teeth. Instead, they depend on sufficient bone as a foundation at implant site.

Implant placement has two phases. The surgical phase is performed by an implant specialist. The specialist will access your bone level and thickness as well as the location and function of the future implant in order to select the best implant system for each patient. The restorative phase is performed by the dentist who places the creates the crown over the implant. Implants can support crowns that look and feel like your natural teeth. We work as a team with the specialist to provide a stable and attractive result.

High success rate is based on patient selection, implant selection and patient’s home care maintenance and frequent checkups.

Number of appointments between the specialist and dentist ranges from two to four visits.

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Dentures - Dentures can replace your missing teeth and give you back your smile and confidence. Causes of teeth loss may be due to periodontal disease, injury or tooth decay. Whatever the reason is, replacing missing teeth will benefit not only your appearance but your health as well.

Multiple missing teeth can cause facial muscles to sag or loss of lip support, making a person look
older. Chewing and speech will be affected. Also, without the back teeth to chew food well,
indigestion can become a problem.

Removable Complete dentures are indicated for patients who needs all the teeth replaced within one arch. There are two types: immediate or conventional. Patients who do not want to be without teeth once the remaining teeth are extracted, immediate complete denture would be the right choice. It is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The advantage of immediate dentures, the patient does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. The conventional full denture is placed after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed. The healing period can take several months. This choice is ideal for patients who needs to replace their existing denture. As the bone ridge changes year by year, the denture will begin to feel loose. As the denture becomes ill-fitting, relining it will be necessary for proper fitting.

Even if you wear complete dentures, bacteria and plaque can still form on your tissues. It is important to removed your dentures before bed time. Keep you tissues clean and stimulate circulation in them by using a soft toothbrush. Use a tongue-scraper to remove the plague and bacteria that forms daily on your tongue.

Removable Partial Denture - replaces multiple missing teeth and requires remaining back teeth to be strong and healthy to retain the denture. The framework for partial denture can be made of metal or resin. The replacement teeth are attached to pink resin bases, which are connected by a metal framework. Metal clasp are designed to hook onto strategic teeth for anchorage, which can be visible. “Hidden clasp” designed as an integrated part of a crown will solve this cosmetic issue. Patients who are allergic to metal or just simply prefer to do without can request for that option. 

Extraction - Removal of a tooth can be due to advance periodontal disease, extensive decays that are non-restorable, or to make room for teeth movement such as for orthodontic. Surgical extraction often applies to wisdom teeth extraction. A consultation is necessary for wisdom teeth extraction.

Non-surgical Scaling and Root Planing - Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues supporting your teeth. If left untreated, it will lead to the destruction of your gum tissues and bone, which supports and anchors your teeth. 

Gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal (gum) disease, is reversible and only affects the gums. Daily removal of the plague by brushing and flossing can often bring the gums back to health. The more advance stage of periodontal disease, called periodontitis, is irreversible and involves the breakdown of the gums and bone. The teeth can become loose, fall out or needs to be extracted. The plague calcifies to become tartar, which are deposited on the roots of the teeth. These hard tartar deposits can only be removed by scaling and root planing. 

Early intervention with non-surgical scaling and root planing can prevent the progression of periodontitis to a more advance and aggressive stage. 

Here are some warning signs that can signal periodontal disease:

• Gums that bleed easily 

• Red, swollen, tender gums

• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth (receeding gums)

• Persistent bad breath or bad taste 

• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating 

• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite 

• A change in the fit of partial dentures 

• Pus between gums and teeth

The following are some factors that increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

• Tobacco smoking or chewing 

• Systemic diseases such as diabetes 

• Bridges that no longer fit properly 

• Fillings that have become defective 

• Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives 

• Crooked / crowded teeth

• Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives 

Periodontal disease is a silent and aggressive oral disease that affects ¾ adults. Thus, it is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. This is one of the reasons why regular dental checkups are so important. Depending on the type and the stage of periodontal disease, treatment methods and prognosis will vary. Good home care, regular dental checkup, and professional cleaning is essential to prevent the onset, progression or relapse of periodontal diseases.

Your teeth are meant to last you a lifetime. You don’t have to lose your teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, floss, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.