Improve the health of your smile with restorative dentistry from Ackerman & Towson Dentistry in Brentwood, California. Restorative dentistry is an effective way for the residents of Brentwood, California, and surrounding areas to get the healthy smile of their dreams. We offered more information about restorative dentistry procedures at Ackerman & Towson Dentistry below.
Dental Fillings
If you have dental decay, your dentist may recommend a dental filling for your tooth. A dental filling is a composite resin, similar to acrylic resin material. To place the dental filling, first, your dentist will remove the decay from your tooth. If the decay is not removed, it can spread to the tooth and gums. At first, the material is soft like putty and forms in your tooth’s cavity. Once the dentist has the filling placed in the right spot, they will harden the material with a blue light. A benefit to a composite filling is that it is tooth-colored and matches your natural teeth’s appearance and shape.
Dental Bonding
For larger cracks or breaks on the outside of the tooth, your dentist may recommend dental bonding. Dental bonding uses the same procedure that dental filling uses. The difference between the procedures is that dental fillings restore the top surface of the tooth while dental bonding restores the front of the tooth. Many patients also prefer dental bonding because your dentist artfully makes your tooth look similar to your natural tooth.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Your dentist may recommend a dental crown if you have significant decay or a crack in your natural tooth. If the damage is too substantial to repair with composite fillings, then your dentist may repair your tooth with a dental crown. A dental crown is a cap that sits over the tooth. It is then bonded to the natural tooth. A dental crown is typically made of porcelain which helps it appear as a natural tooth and is also a durable material. Another advantage of porcelain is that it is stain-resistant.
A dental bridge is similar to a dental crown, except instead of a crown placed on the tooth, a dental bridge replaces the tooth with a minimal or no dental root. A dental bridge appears as three or more dental crowns attached. The sides of the dental bridge secured to surrounding teeth are similar to dental crowns. A dental bridge can replace one or more missing teeth in a row. A dental bridge does not stimulate the bone beneath the missing tooth but prevents your smile from collapsing where the disappeared tooth sits.
Dental Implants
Dental implants replace one or more teeth by replacing the entire tooth from its root to its crown. A dental implant can be used with a multitude of dental appliances. For example, a dental implant can work with a dental crown, bridge, or dentures. A dental implant has three main parts, the post, the abutment, and the appliance. The post is the part that sits in your gums and acts as your tooth’s root. It helps stimulate the bone to avoid bone loss. It also holds the entire dental implant with its durable titanium material. Next is the abutment, which contains the post to the dental appliance. Lastly is your choice of dental appliance. Your dentist may recommend a porcelain crown if you have one missing tooth. If you have multiple teeth in a row missing, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge. Lastly, if you miss an entire set of teeth, your dentist may recommend a denture supported by four or more dental implants.
