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Description
Restorative dentistry is the traditional treatment mode for dealing with damage to the
tissues of the mouth. In our office, we perform a wide variety of restorative
treatments to enhance the dental health and function of our patients.
Capabilities
- Fillings
- This is the normal way small areas of decay or trauma to the teeth are handled.
Common materials include composite resin, silver amalgam, and hybrid restoratives.
New methods of filling cavities, even at a very early stage of decay, should enable
persons to keep more of the natural tooth for a longer period of time. Also, the
newest generations of tooth-colored restorations allow strong repairs with better
appearance. A reduction in the usage of local anesthetics has also been a trend in
the recent past.
- Crowns
- A crown, also called a "cap," is used to replace the damaged outer surface of
teeth. This treatment requires the removal of more tooth structure than a filling,
and must be accomplished in multiple visits. Materials in common usage are
porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, gold, and base metals.
- Implant Restorations
- A dental implant is used to supply support or anchorage for the replacement of missing
tooth structure. In our office setting, Dr. Durbin typically acts as the restorative
dentist in an implant team. This means that we do the rebuilding anchored to the
implants placed by another team member. Implants are often used to replace teeth
which never form, teeth lost in trauma, or to anchor replacement teeth in areas where
other teeth have been removed.
- Bridges
- Bridges are dental prosthetic appliances used to replace missing teeth by means of
support from other teeth or implants. bridgework falls into two main categories:
Fixed and Removable. Fixed bridges (technically called "fixed
partial prosthodontics") are often preferred when the patient wants a long-lasting,
very strong, cosmetic restoration. A fixed bridge is usually closest to the
performance of natural teeth in most aspects. The barrier to fixed bridgework is
sometimes the higher cost of fabrication. Removable bridgework ("removable
partial denture") consists of many different designs, but all have in common that
they may be removed by the patient for cleaning and clip to natural or artificial teeth
for support. The major disadvantage to removable partial dentures is the movement
present under function, even when it is slight.
- Denture
- Also referred to as a "plate," a full denture replaces the teeth in one full
dental arch, either the upper or lower. Millions of Americans wear one or both full
dentures, and this continues to be a necessary service for the present time.
Dentures have some advantages, the most significant being that they function better than
no teeth at all. There are problems, however, in that all dentures move during
chewing and speech. Problems tend to be much more significant on the lower arch.
For most people, dentures are a necessary step when decay or gum disease gives us
little option but to remove the existing natural teeth. A hybrid treatment called an
"overdenture" uses small clips to attach to retained roots for
anchorage. Also, implants are sometimes used to achor what appears to be a denture
from the outside.
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