Dental Restorations in Bartow, FL
Thankfully, the number of restorations needed today is much less than in the past, largely due to improvements in public awareness as well as the regular use of fluoride to prevent tooth decay. However, teeth remain susceptible to decay, breakage, and infection, and need restorative care.
We provide a wide variety of dental restorative treatment options and would be happy to consult with you to help you understand which options would be right for you. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
CALL US: (863) 533-0955 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Root Canal Therapy
When one of your teeth develops decay or infection that progresses deep into the structure of the tooth, a root canal may become necessary. To save your tooth, we remove any decay and bacteria as well as the infected tissue and replace them with a special medicated dental material.
This process restores your tooth to its original function while eliminating the pain and sensitivity caused by the decay or infection. Root canal treatments are generally successful and permanent solutions to the problems they treat. Occasionally a tooth may need to be re-treated if a new infection develops, but this is very rare, and you can usually expect a root canal to be a permanent fix.
Why Would I Need Root Canal?
A root canal may be necessary if:
- Decay has reached the living tissue of your tooth
- An infection has developed inside your tooth or at the root tip
- A tooth has experienced injury or trauma
How do you know if your tooth has any of these problems? There are several signs and symptoms which may indicate the need for a root canal. Some of these symptoms include:
- Severe toothache pain
- Swelling or tenderness
- A pimple-like abscess on the gums
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
It is important to note that these symptoms will not always be noticeable to you, and in some cases, you may not even experience any symptoms. This factor makes it especially important to visit our office for regular exams and cleanings, so we can catch any indicators that serve as early warnings and provide effective treatment.
Whitening After a Root Canal
Discoloration from smoking, aging, or consuming dark foods is called extrinsic staining and is treatable with professional whitening methods. Some stains are intrinsic and come from deep inside the tooth. This type of staining can happen if a tooth is damaged by trauma, or sometimes even root canal treatment itself can cause darkening over time.
Fortunately, Dr. Brown can provide internal whitening treatments either during a root canal procedure or afterward. A special whitening agent can be introduced into the center of the tooth and penetrate the pulp chamber for a conservative and effective way to brighten up a tooth that has intrinsic staining. Not everyone is suited for this treatment, so it is important to have Dr. Brown evaluate your circumstances to see if this is the best option for you.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Wisdom teeth are in the very back of your mouth and are the last of the molars to emerge. It is very common for wisdom teeth to “impact” the teeth in front of them or fail to emerge fully. When this happens, problems can occur, which may require removal to protect neighboring teeth and maintain your overall oral health.
Some of the situations which may justify the removal of wisdom teeth include:
- Disease – While rare, cysts or tumors can develop in areas around impacted wisdom teeth
- Damage – When nearby teeth become damaged, you could experience bone loss or infection
- Infection – Bacteria and food can become trapped beneath the gum tissue near the wisdom tooth, leading to infection.
- Crowding – Impacted wisdom teeth can cause other teeth to become misaligned
Symptoms that can indicate you may need your wisdom teeth removed include swelling, pain, or a significant change in the way your bite feels. If you have any problems with your wisdom teeth, you should consult with us to determine if removal is the best treatment option.
Types and Purposes of Fillings
There are several different types of fillings. However, the two most popular ones in use today are Silver Amalgam and Composite. Amalgam and composite fillings can repair a tooth when it cracks, fractures, or develops decay. Amalgam fillings contain a mixture of several metals, typically placed in the back teeth where the dark color of the filling will be less noticeable. Amalgam is very durable and can withstand bite pressure well and last for many years.
Composite fillings have the advantage of being tooth-colored, and we can make them match your enamel, so they blend right in naturally. These fillings work well on teeth that are visible when you smile and are very popular because you can’t even tell you have had work done.
What is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a cover we place over your tooth to protect it and replace the tooth’s original structure. It restores your natural tooth’s normal size, shape, and function. A crown can strengthen your tooth and improve its appearance at the same time.
Crowns are available in a wide range of materials including metal, porcelain, composite resin, and porcelain fused with metal. We can create your crown to match the shade of your teeth and look and feel natural. In the process of determining which material to use for your crown, we will consider several factors, including your personal preference and the position of the tooth in your smile.
Why Would I Need A Dental Crown?
There are a variety of reasons why you might need a dental crown, including:
- To protect a tooth that has had root canal treatment
- Concealing a badly damaged or discolored tooth
- To repair a cracked, worn, or weakened tooth
- Restoring a cavity that is too large for a filling
A crown provides a more secure restoration than a direct filling could and helps prevent your tooth from fracturing due to extensive fillings and weak cusps. If we recommend a crown, we are confident it is the best option to meet your specific needs.
More Restorative Treatment Options
If you have experienced the loss of a permanent tooth, it is important to find a replacement option that works for you. Dental implants are a very popular option because they replace your whole tooth from root to crown. They are also one of the more expensive options and also require that you are healthy enough for minor oral surgery, so they may not be right for everyone.
Bridges are considered the second-best option and can be designed to stay fixed in place, or as a removable appliance. At Bartow Dental, we offer both implant restorations and bridges to replace missing teeth and keep your oral health at its best.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Unlike dental implants, bridges require no surgery. Bridges need fewer appointments when compared to implants, usually only two to three dental office visits. The process is generally easier, faster, and may provide a better solution than an implant if you do not have enough healthy bone to support an implant post.
Improving Your Bite with Dentures
We can make dentures to closely match your original teeth and improve the form and function of your smile. You can have either full or partial dentures designed for you, depending on how many teeth you have missing and their location. A complete denture replaces a full arch of teeth, and a partial can restore two or more missing teeth in a row.
In addition to filling the gap created by missing teeth, a partial denture serves to help prevent your surrounding teeth from shifting to fill the gap created by the missing ones. Like a complete denture, a partial denture works to restore your speaking and eating functionality as well as restore your smile.
Both types of dentures are highly durable dental appliances that should last for many years if you care for them properly. They may, of course, require adjustment, repair, or replacement eventually due to normal wear and tear.
What Is the Process of Getting Dentures?
When you opt to get dentures, you will come in for several appointments over several weeks. During this process, we take detailed impressions of your teeth, which we use to create your custom dentures. We also carefully color-match your dentures to your natural teeth. We'll have you come in for try-in appointments to ensure your new dentures look, fit, and function well.
You can expect to experience a temporary adaptation period as your mouth and gums acclimated to the new appliance. During this time, you may have some increased saliva flow, soreness, and slight difficulty with chewing or pronunciation. This discomfort will subside as your mouth adapts to the new prosthetic.
We will provide you with detailed care instructions so you know how to care for your dentures properly. By following these instructions, you can help ensure your dentures last for many years to come.
We Provide A Comprehensive Variety of Restorative Treatments
Whatever restorative dental treatment you need, we are here to help. We have been working to help our patients restore the appearance and functionality of their teeth for many years, and would be happy to help you as well! Contact our office today to schedule your first appointment!
CALL US: (863) 533-0955 REQUEST APPOINTMENT