Common Procedures
Fillings
Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, may include gold, porcelain, and composite. Newer dental fillings include ceramic and plastic composites that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. There are two different kinds of fillings: direct and indirect. Direct fillings are fillings placed directly into a prepared cavity in a single visit. Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. They include inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, and bridges fabricated with gold, high noble alloys, ceramics, or composites. Dr. Meyers will help you determine which restoration is best for your tooth.
Bonding
Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. With dental bonding, white filling material is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling "bonds" with your tooth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.
Bonding materials can also be used for fillings instead of amalgam. Many patients prefer bonded fillings because the white color is much less noticeable than the dark metal amalgam fillings. Bonded fillings can be used on front or back teeth depending on the extent of the tooth decay.
Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and usually can be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding can stain and is not quite as durable as other cosmetic treatments such as porcelain veneers.
Crowns
Crowns are a wonderful restoration used to improve your tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions lost to decay.
A crown, sometimes called a "cap", is cemented onto an existing tooth and fully covers the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Crowns or onlays (partial crowns) are recommended when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, which are done in one visit, crowns or onlays usually require two visits. Dr. Meyers will prepare the tooth, then take an impression of it. Your crown is fabricated in our dental lab using your unique tooth impression. This allows the dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once it is placed at the second visit.
Bridges
A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain tooth and jaw alignment, and alleviate stress on your bite.
A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from porcelain, gold, alloys, or a combination of these materials. It is anchored, or bonded to the surrounding teeth so it remains in place.
The success of any bridge depends on its foundation! Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
Extractions
There are times when it is necessary for a tooth to be removed. Sometimes a primary or "baby" tooth will be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, it may be necessary due to extensive decay or infection. In addition, Dr. Meyers may recommend the removal of wisdom teeth if he forsees potential problems with them.
Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, we may recommend that you replace the tooth with an implant or a bridge.
Implants
In most cases, it is very important to replace missing teeth. When teeth are missing, the forces from chewing and biting can place stress on the remaining teeth causing discomfort, shifting of teeth, and may even cause the surrounding teeth to become less stable. Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a lifetime!
An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: One part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. With periodontal treatment, you can smile confidently knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.
In addition to tooth replacement, implants may be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so you have a more natural-looking smile.
Dentures
Dentures are removable and are a natural-looking replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures: full and partial. A full denture replaces all of the teeth, while a partial denture connects to existing teeth to replace one or more that are missing. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be cared for. Use a gentle cleanser to brush your dentures, always keep them moist when they’re not in use, and be sure to keep your tongue and gums clean as well. Dr. Meyers recommends routine exams for all denture patients to maintain their oral health.
Fluoride
Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay and in preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. A fluoride treatment in your dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months.
Mouthguards
Whether you wear braces or not, protecting your smile while playing sports is very important. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in any kind of full-contact sport, the American Dental Association recommends that you wear a mouthguard. There are three basic types of mouthguards: the pre-made mouthguard, the "boil-and-bite" fitted mouthguard, and a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist. When you chose a mouthguard, look for one that is comfortable and well fitted for your mouth, and allows you to breathe properly. It should be tear resistant and easy to keep clean. Your dentist can show you how to wear a mouthguard properly and how to choose the right mouthguard to protect your smile.
Root Canals
In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called root canal therapy, your tooth can be retained. When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can not only cause deterioration of the bone, but can be detrimental to your overall health.
During root canal therapy, the dentist removes the infected tissue from the root of the tooth. The inside of the tooth will be sterilized and filled. This procedure is usually completed in one or two appointments. In some cases, a crown may be recommended as the final restoration for a tooth that has had root canal therapy. As long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.
Sealants
Sometimes brushing is not enough, especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach spots in your mouth. It is difficult for your toothbrush to get into the small pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of your teeth. Those tiny areas can harbor plaque and bacteria which cause tooth decay. Sealants give your teeth extra protection and help prevent cavities.
Dental sealants are a plastic resin that bonds to your tooth’s surface. With sealants, brushing your teeth becomes easier and more effective against tooth decay.
Sealants are typically applied to children’s permanent teeth as a preventive measure. However, adults also can benefit from sealants on healthy teeth. It is more common to seal "permanent" teeth rather than "baby" teeth, but every patient has unique needs, and your dentist will recommend sealants on a case-by-case basis.
Sealants typcially last from three to five years, although it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if we see signs of wear on your sealants, we may recommend that they be replaced.
Veneers
You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth! With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth’s imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile. Veneers are natural in appearance, and are a perfect alternative for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of their smile.
Veneers are thin, custom-made coverings made from tooth-colored materials (such as porcelain) designed to cover the front side of your teeth. To prepare for veneers, your doctor will create a unique model of your teeth. This model is sent to the dental technician to create your veneers.
When placed, you’ll be pleased to see that veneers look like natural teeth. While veneers are stain resistant, your doctor may recommend that you avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to maintain the beauty of your new smile.
Wisdom Teeth
The third molars to form in the upper and lower jaws are referred to as the "wisdom" teeth. They usually appear in the late teens or early 20's. If there is not enough room for the tooth to erupt, it remains "impacted" in the jaw bone. Generally speaking, we will recommend that wisdom teeth be removed. They are not used in normal chewing, are difficult to keep clean and can develop problems down the road. Wisdom teeth are usually removed wihen a patient is in their late teens or early 20's as there's a greater chance that the roots of the teeth will not yet be fully developed and the surrounding bone will be less dense, which may reduce the recovery time for the patient. Dr. Meyers will discuss the procedure and fully explain what to expect during recovery.
Regular Exams and Cleanings
We recommend regular visits and exams for all of our patients, and like to start seeing children as early as one year old. These appointments are important to:
- Evaluate your teeth and check for problems, even those you may not see or feeI
- Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
- Provide a psersonalized dental cleaning, base on your individual needs
Visiting our office every six months gives you the chance to talk to the doctor about any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning. These preventive appointments last between 45 minutes to an hour.
Preventive Care
/ Cosmetic Dentistry
/ Common Procedures
/ Pediatric Dentistry
/ Gum Disease
Emergency Dental Care
/ FAQs
