When you have a cavity or infection, or if a tooth has recently become chipped or cracked, then you need a restoration. While metal ones like amalgam or gold are effective, we also strive to ensure our patients feel proud of their newly repaired teeth. In today’s blog, your Richardson, TX, family dentist talks about how we provide cosmetic restorations with composite resin fillings, ceramic crowns, and more.
Signs of Trouble
We always urge people to see our team for a preventive checkup and cleaning visit about once every six months. During these appointments, we will take a close look at their teeth and gums with advanced digital imaging, so we can identify areas of concern in the earliest stages and treat them before they threaten the stability of the smile. The cleaning portion then removes all plaque and tartar buildup before this can weaken outer enamel and inflame gum tissues, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. If you attend these visits, we can identify problems and treat them with fillings or even Silver Diamine Fluoride. But otherwise, you may not know you need to see us until you experience toothaches and tooth sensitivity, at which point your cavity could be turning into a serious infection or abscess! When you experience discomfort, let our team know right away so we can offer care with a lifelike restoration.
Dental Fillings
When you have a cavity, we can offer a natural-looking repair in only one visit. This is beneficial for kids and adults alike! Even if your child has a cavity in a baby tooth, months or even years could elapse before that tooth falls out naturally, so waiting could mean painful infections and misalignment as teeth are lost prematurely. When we examine the tooth with digital imaging technology and find a cavity, our team will numb the tooth and then gently remove all decay. Once we do, our team will clean the tooth and then apply a metal-free blend of glass-like and acrylic particles known as composite resin. This can also be shaded to blend with the tooth. We apply the material in several layers and then cure it under a light as we sculpt and mold the tooth. The last step is to polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. The entire process only takes one sitting!
Dental Crowns
What if you have tooth decay or an infection too severe for a dental filling? A dental crown covers the entire visible portion of your tooth, and each one is custom-made from metals like ceramic and zirconia, which can endure bite forces and pressure and be color matched to blend with the smile. We begin by numbing the tooth and removing structure from it. Next, we take digital impressions of the tooth and use it in a lab setting to design and craft the finished product. We then connect the crown with a powerful bonding agent. We could use them to extract aviaries, address infections by completing a root canal, and to lengthen worn down teeth. Our team can repair cracks and chips too, and reshape malformed teeth as well. Placement could improve balance and chewing function, and we can address missing teeth by securing a dental bridge in place or even restoring a single tooth dental implant.
Porcelain Veneers
We also have a unique cosmetic restoration designed purely to improve the overall beauty of your smile. Porcelain veneers cover the front and sides of each tooth, and when placed, they instantly transform the shape and color. The porcelain material is durable and strong, but can be shaded to blend with the tooth seamlessly too. We craft them by first numbing the tooth and removing a thin layer of enamel to make room for them. Detailed digital impressions are then taken and used in the design and fabrication process. When the thin veneer is ready, we will attach it to the tooth with a powerful bonding agent. Placement could lengthen worn down teeth, mask permanent discoloration that otherwise won’t respond to teeth whitening, and reshape malformed teeth too. Our team can repair minor damage too, and even correct the appearance of minor misalignment, so you avoid the need for braces or aligners in some cases. We could also combine them with bonding for a cost-effective smile makeover, and whiten teeth beforehand so they match your brightest smile.
Tooth Replacement
As we touched on above, our team can use lifelike restorations to aid in the replacement of missing teeth. If you have between one and three missing teeth in a row, we could create a bridge that contains new teeth with crowns on either end. We then attach the crowns to the abutment teeth, the ones on either side of the gap in the smile. This secures the new teeth firmly in place. If you have an individual dental implant, once we insert the post into the smile and attach an abutment, we can connect a custom crown, which offers a durable chewing surface and a lifelike appearance.
As you can see, our lifelike restorations can address restorative issues, cosmetic complaints, and even help fill the gaps in your smile, returning smiles to optimal health, function, and beauty in as little as one to two visits. If you have any questions about our cosmetic treatment options, or if you would like to schedule consultation and see if any of these could benefit your smile, then contact our team today to learn more.
Your Richardson, TX, Dentist Provides Natural Looking Dental Care
We want you to not only enjoy a healthier and better functioning smile, we want you to feel confident with your smile’s appearance too. For more information on our approach to cosmetic improvement options, then please schedule a consultation by calling the Viva Dental Family Dentistry office nearest you at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson). We always want you to feel proud to show off your smile, and to enjoy good oral health and a smile that functions without discomfort. Let’s work together to transform your smile this summer!
