Posted:Aug 18, 2016
Restorative dentistry is used to remove decay from teeth and bring them back to a state of natural beauty and healthy function. At Southern York Smile Care we provide a variety of treatments that are individually selected based upon your dental health needs, goals, and desires. The below information gives a brief overview of the more frequent restorative procedures available in our Shrewsbury, PA office.
One of the most frequently used restorations provided by Dr. Haywood are bonded ceramic inlays and onlays. They are by far the longest lasting, strongest, dental restorations with a lifetime potential. They are made of the best and most beautiful materials that will outlast any other restoration available today. Essentially, they are the “ultimate filling.”
When there is only partial damage to your tooth, an inlay can be bonded inside the remaining tooth structure. Traditionally, gold is the material of choice for this type of restoration, and although this is available, most of our dental patients prefer the more natural look that ceramic provides.
Onlays are used to restore a portion of the biting cusp of a tooth or to restore the strength of a tooth. In most traditional dental offices, a dental crown or “cap” would be done, sacrificing healthy tooth structure needlessly.
We have patients that refer to them as “inside crowns”. That is an excellent way to think of it, as it implies strength and conservation of the better parts of the damaged tooth. We prefer to do onlays when possible simply because they are conservative compared to traditional crowns and equally strong. Research has shown that the less you reduce a tooth, the better it will survive long-term, and our goal is to provide you with healthy teeth for life.
Fillings are used to restore tooth damage caused by tooth decay, and are made from either traditional amalgam (silver colored) or a composite (tooth colored). At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, Dr. Haywood is committed to being a mercury-free office with holistic, BPA-free tooth colored fillings. Composite fillings, in addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, bond directly to the tooth surface unlike traditional fillings, and do not contain mercury. Click here for more information on composite fillings.
Dental bonding is composed of a ceramic resin that is brushed onto the tooth and hardened with intense light. Prior to bonding application the tooth surface must be prepared to accept the bonding. This is accomplished by roughening the tooth surface and applying a gel to micro-etch the surface. A primer agent is then applied so the bond will adhere properly. Dental bonding can be used to fill in unsightly gaps, repair damage from decay, and for cosmetic reasons. Learn more about cosmetic dental bonding.
All-Ceramic Dental CrownsCrowns are used to restore severely damaged teeth due to fracture or decay. After the tooth surface is cleaned and prepared the crown is placed to cover the remainder of the tooth. The crown strengthens the tooth structure and helps prevent future decay. Ceramic crowns also improve the tooth’s look, shape, and alignment. Crowns are used to:
Read more about dental crowns, and ask about our lifetime guarantee!
Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth in both a cosmetic and functional fashion. A bridge structure is one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by natural teeth, crowns, or implants, on each side of the bridge. Using a bridge to fill the gap from missing teeth helps restore proper bite and prevent teeth from shifting to fill the gap (which may lead to additional bite and jaw joint issues). Bridges can be constructed from gold, porcelain and metal, or all ceramic. Ceramic bridge color is made to match your natural tooth color. Material choice will depend on structural requirements, wear, and esthetics. Click here to learn more about dental bridges.
Implants may be the best option for replacing a single or multiple missing teeth. An implant is a metal post that is attached directly to the jawbone. After the bone and surrounding tissue has healed an artificial tooth is attached to the implant. Implants provide superior benefits compared to bridge work as they do not depend on neighboring teeth for structural support. You can learn more about our dental implant procedures here.
A root canal becomes needed when tooth decay is so badly neglected it reaches the tooth pulp. Once the pulp is infected it cannot heal on its own. Sometimes tooth trauma such as a fracture can lead to the need for a root canal as well. In addition to being painful, untreated infections can reach the root tip and compromise the entire immune system.
A root canal procedure includes cleaning out the infected pulp, disinfecting the canals and filling the void with a rubber like substance to prevent further infection. Sometimes a crown is recommended to restore the tooth shape, look, and to strengthen the tooth structure. Read more about root canals.
We look forward to meeting you personally at our Shrewsbury, PA office and building the beautiful, healthy smile you have always wanted. Contact us to arrange your appointment with Dr. Haywood if you are in the York area, including New Freedom.
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