FILLINGS

• At some point in life, most of us will have a cavity. Removing decayed tooth structure requires that a tooth be restored back to its natural state. We use white tooth colored fillings (non-mercury) when "just a filling" is all that is indicated.

CAPS OR CROWNS

• Should a tooth be so broken down that more than a filling is required, crowns (or caps) are indicated. Once the tooth is free of decay a full coverage crown will protect the remaining tooth structure, bringing it back into function and restoring its appearance. All ceramic (metal-free) crowns are available.

  Unfortunately, not all teeth are savable; the good news is that modern dentistry offers several options for tooth replacement.

BRIDGES

• Bridges are a series of crowns (caps) attached in one piece that allow a missing tooth to be replaced. For example, if one tooth is lost, the two teeth on either side of the space may be prepared so that crowns (caps) are fitted over them. A third, replacement crown is attached or bridged to each of these crowns and the whole three unit one piece "bridge" is cemented into place.

IMPLANTS

• Implants are an exciting alternative and a service that we offer. Depending on whether a patient is a candidate or not (health concerns, bone levels, etc.) an implant may act as a tooth replacement while leaving adjacent, natural teeth untouched.

  Mini-implants allow a patient to leave the dental office with an immediately functional tooth after a minimally invasive procedure. We use the Shatkin-First, LLC FDA approved system.

  Conventionally sized implants (such as Nobel Biocare) allow patients a full functional replacement tooth in 4-6 months.

DENTURES - full and partial

• Partial dentures are removable appliances that fit securely into the mouth. They attach to remaining teeth for stability and contain "lifelike" replacement teeth. Metal-free partials are available. Modern dental laboratory techniques allow comfortable and natural-looking full denture wearers to replace all teeth when necessary. Should extractions be required prior to full denture wear, we are able to fabricate immediate dentures so a patient never need be without teeth. Lastly, implants may be used to support full dentures where indicated.