Restorative Care
**Current Promotion - Broken Tooth? $250 off Build up & Crown**
Fillings
What is a filling?
A filling is a treatment for a tooth damaged by a cavity that restores it back to its normal function and shape while also preventing further decay. It's one of the most common procedures that takes place in the dental office, so there's no need to worry, especially if you are maintaining a good brushing and flossing routine!
What is a cavity and why do I need a filling?
A dental cavity is a hole left behind after bacteria destroy a part of a tooth. Indeed, the cavity still contains the bacteria that created the hole. If the cavity is not treated, this will result in worsening of the disease and possibly lead to infection (spread of the infection will lead to eventual damage of the tooth and possible bloodstream infection). Consequently, the tooth decay needs to be removed and the tooth restored with a filling.
Because a cavity can continually progress until infection occurs, the dentist needs to remove the decay as soon as possible to prevent progression of the decay. Once the decay is removed, there is still a hole in the tooth that will cause problems. A filling is placed in that hole to restore the tooth to its natural shape and function.
What to expect?
First, the dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area near the decayed tooth or teeth to be treated. The dentist then uses a tiny drill to remove the decay from the affected tooth.
After removing the decay, the dentist prepares the tooth for placing a filling. At Kuna Smiles, we only use composite resin filling material to restore teeth. To bond composite to a tooth it involves a specific acid etch, a desensitizer, and a bonding material to get a strong “stick” to the tooth. The filling isn’t finished until it has been adjusted to fit your bite and it has been polished smooth.
Crowns
What is a crown?
A crown (aka cap) is a custom made piece of ceramic and/or metal that fits over your tooth. Zirconia is a ceramic, is the most common material that crowns are made of, and is actually stronger than your natural tooth. The doctor will get a custom shade selected to match your teeth so that your new crown blends in perfectly with your existing dentition.
Why do a crown?
Teeth can become weakened over time due to cavities, fillings, fractures, root canals, or premature wear. A tooth weakened by any of these reasons has a higher risk of breaking to the point that it must be removed. To prevent the potential loss of a tooth, the dentist may recommend a crown to protect the tooth long-term.
Ceramic crowns have a long track record of success. In fact, there are roughly 2 million crowns done each month in America, and routinely last more than 10 years - sometimes up to a lifetime!
What to expect?
It’s typically two appointments to get your new crown. At the first appointment, the doctor will prepare the tooth by removing any fillings or cavities, and then carefully reshape the tooth to fit a crown. From there the doctor will send a digital 3D model to the lab for them to custom fabricate the crown. While we’re waiting 1-2 weeks to get the crown from the lab, you will have a temporary crown placed on the tooth. This allows you to live life normally until the real thing is ready.
At the second appointment, we’ll remove the temporary crown, clean the tooth of any debris, and test fit the real crown. Once we know the real crown fits perfectly and looks good to you, we permanently stick it to the tooth using a special type of glue (called cement) or we bond it to the tooth.
Once your crown is in place, it takes ~24 hours for the cement/bond to fully cure. During this time we ask you not to get too aggressive with your crown. After the first 24 hours have passed, you can eat and drink whatever you like. Keep in mind though, the gentler you are on your crown and the cleaner you keep it, the longer it will last.
Dentures & Implants
More than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth, and out of those people, about 90% of them wear some sort of denture. This tooth loss can happen due to decay and gum disease, or as a result of injury, cancer, or abnormal wear.
What is an implant?
Implants are a great way to replace one or more missing teeth. The implant itself is a very special titanium screw that is carefully and methodically placed in your bone. These can be used for many different applications, from replacing a single missing tooth to having a whole arch supported by multiple implants. Titanium has not only been used in dentistry but also in medicine a long track record of success. It is used to rebuild joints, repair broken bones, and
Why do an implant?
When a tooth is missing, especially a back tooth, it puts the remaining teeth at risk by compromising the health of the gums and bone through accelerated shifting and increased biting forces. If multiple teeth are missing, these same things will happen but at an even faster rate. We want all the best for our patients so we recommend replacing teeth to retain chewing function, facial structure, and esthetics.
What to expect?
Once completed, a single tooth implant will look like a natural tooth to the untrained eye. The implant will function like a normal tooth as well, allowing you to floss and brush it as normal. Expect the implant process to take some time.
What is a denture?
Dentures are custom prosthetics that replace some or all of the teeth. Oftentimes, they are removable (taken out at night) but can also be fixed to implants (can only be removed by the doctor). They’re made to mimic the look of your gums and teeth so that other people cannot tell your teeth aren’t real!
Why get dentures?
Improved ability to eat and speak,
Without teeth, your gums take the brunt of your chewing and biting. This can be painful and uncomfortable. Your teeth also help form the sounds of words as you speak. Replacing your teeth with dentures can clarify the words you speak.
Improve facial features
A denture or a set of dentures will almost instantly give you a Hollywood smile. They can increase a person’s self-confidence due to a set of straight white teeth.
You’re already missing teeth
Dentures are best suited to people who have lost some or all of their teeth. They can also be a great alternative to getting implants for those individuals with particular health risks preventing them from getting dental implants.
Types of Dentures:
Complete Dentures
Also called “full dentures.” When all your teeth are removed or lost, full dentures will give back to you a complete smile. They’re held in place by suction on your gums. The upper and lower sections get inserted separately every morning. At night, users take them out and allow them to soak in a water solution to keep them clean and moist. Complete dentures can be made whether your teeth have been gone for many years or if you’ve recently had teeth extracted.
Immediate Dentures
These are fitted and given to you the same day your teeth are extracted. Immediate dentures are complete dentures that protect the gums as they heal. This set of dentures isn’t meant to fit perfectly in the long-term as the gums and bone heal in the first 6-12 months after extractions. After having teeth removed, the gums shrink and change in that healing process, which is why we recommend immediate dentures get relined to gain a suction cup-like fit.
Partial Dentures
If you’re only removing some of your teeth or have lost just a few teeth, partial dentures are a great option. Since they’re only filling the spaces of missing teeth, they rely on the natural teeth around them for support. In turn, your natural teeth can get stronger by having the gaps around them filled. Partial dentures consist of artificial teeth usually attached to a metal frame, which grasps onto the natural teeth. They’re removable but should be worn all day to keep your teeth in place. The metal frame is the strongest option, but in certain situations it's better to use an acrylic frame that blends in better with the teeth and gums.
Dental Bridges & Other Alternatives
What is a bridge?
A dental bridge is a permanent, non-removable option that can replace a missing tooth or teeth. They’re made of ceramics, metals or a combination of the two, much like a crown and are designed and produced in a similar fashion. The bridge is a string of crowns all attached together that is cemented to teeth on either side of a gap. With proper care and maintenance, a bridge can provide improved lifestyle and chewing abilities.
Why a bridge?
A missing tooth is a serious matter because teeth are made to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. When you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth will shift, increasing the risk for tooth decay and gum disease. A missing tooth may also allow a tooth in your opposing jaw to shift into that space, meaning your teeth will no longer be even or in a straight line. This can affect your bite and place more stress on your teeth and jaw joints, possibly causing pain and damage.
By having a dental bridge made to fill in the gaps, you can prevent the shifting, tipping and loss of more teeth in your mouth. Besides that, you’ll also enjoy having a full, beautiful smile that doesn’t hinder you from eating your favorite foods.
What to expect?
Much like with a dental crown, a bridge is a two step process. At your first appointment, the doctor will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap so that a bridge can fit over them. When you leave your first appointment you’ll be wearing a temporary bridge. This temporary is an important space saver that holds the teeth perfectly in place to fit the new, permanent bridge.
At your second visit, the doctor will swap the temporary for the permanent bridge. They will make sure the new one fits like it should and that you’re pleased with the outcome. As long as those things are met, the doctor will permanently cement the bridge onto your teeth.
Regular care and maintenance will be required to avoid tooth decay and gum disease around the bridge. The team at Kuna Smiles will help you in every possible way to keep your new bridge looking and feeling great.