Restorative Services

We know that a healthy smile can build confidence. So, when one or multiple teeth become damaged or are missing, it can not only impact your health, but it can cause you to feel self-conscious as well. Fortunately, there are several treatment options that can help you restore the look and functionality of your smile. Here are the restorative dental services offered at Medford Dental Clinic.

Crowns

To restore a tooth’s shape and/or size, a crown may be recommended. In addition to improving your tooth’s appearance, crowns can also help strengthen it too. Crowns are often used to:

Help support a tooth with a large filing.
Attach bridges.
Prevent a tooth from breaking.
Restore a broken tooth.
Cover an implant or teeth that are discolored.

Regardless of why it’s used, the goal of a crown is to help keep your teeth healthy and restore your smile.

Bridges or Partial Dentures

When you’re missing one or more teeth, not only can it make you feel insecure about your smile, but it can alter the way you chew and speak as well. That’s where bridges can help, restoring both the appearance and functionality of your smile. Bridges, or partial dentures, are artificial teeth that are used to “bridge” the gap where missing teeth used to be. There are several options when it comes to bridges, both for the material(s) used to make them and whether they are removable or fixed. A fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist, while removable ones (partials) can be taken out and cleaned at home by you. Your dentist will discuss these options with you and help you select the bridge that best fits your needs.

Full Dentures

Dentures are used to replace all or several missing teeth, to help restore your smile. Dentures can be especially helpful if you’ve lost all your teeth because it can be difficult to eat and speak without teeth. Plus, dentures can help improve your appearance beyond your smile, by filling out your face and profile too. There are several types of dentures, including:

Conventional dentures, which are fully removable and are fabricated after any remaining teeth are removed and the tissue has healed.
Immediate dentures, which are also removable but can be placed the same day remaining teeth are removed. To do this, your dentist will make molds of your jaw beforehand, so you don’t have to be without teeth while you’re healing. Keep in mind, you may still have to have your dentures adjusted and re-fitted after your jaw has healed.
Overdentures, which fit over a small number of remaining teeth, if they can be saved, or over multiple dental implants. Before an overdenture is placed, your dentist will prep the teeth or place dental implants and work to preserve your jawbone as much as possible. This provides better support for the denture once it’s inserted.

Your dentist will help you decide which option and material to use, and whether fixed or removable dentures will work best for you.

Dental Implants (Placement and Restorations)

Dental implants are commonly used to replace missing teeth. Implants are a popular choice because they are designed to be extremely durable and blend in seamlessly with your other teeth. The implant is surgically placed directly into your jaw, where it serves as a sturdy anchor for the replacement tooth. Medford Dental Clinic offers both initial implant placements and restorations for existing implants. Sometimes, implants can be placed on the same day a tooth is extracted. Other times, the tooth may need to be extracted, area bone grafted, and implant placed after the bone has healed. The three steps of implant placement are outlined below:

The first step is the actual placement of the implant, where your dentist skillfully inserts the implant into your jawbone.
Next is the healing phase. After the implant has been placed, the bone around the implant will begin to grow around it, which is what holds it in place. This process takes time, so you may need to wait a few months before the implant is ready for the crown/replacement tooth to be attached.
The last step is to attach an artificial tooth/teeth. For a single tooth implant, your dentist will use a dental crown that’s size, shape, color and fit is customized to you, so it will blend in with your other teeth. If you are replacing multiple teeth, a bridge or dentures will be customized to fit your mouth and implant.