Restorative Dentistry

Dental Filling

Dental fillings are the best way to restore minor to moderate instances of tooth decay. Most fillings these days consist of a material known as composite resin. Composite resin is an aesthetically-pleasing material that we color-match to the existing shade of your enamel. For this reason, a composite filling is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.

Close-up of a dental professional wearing blue gloves matching a B1 shade tooth veneer to a smiling patient's upper teeth.

Dental Crown

Dental crowns are custom-created caps that are designed to fit over the natural tooth. Most often, they are placed after root canal treatment or following a dental implant procedure, but sometimes they are necessary simply to cover discolored teeth or repair a broken tooth. They are used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance, keeping the natural tooth structure safe from any further damage.

Dental Bridge

Dental bridges replace one or more missing teeth by utilizing a custom-made appliance. This appliance is built from a series of dental crowns that are fused together to span the gap from one natural tooth to another. The procedure involves taking an impression of the surrounding teeth and gums, then making a bridge-shaped restoration that covers or fills in the space with one or more artificial teeth. During the installation of a bridge, the outer crowns are attached to neighboring healthy teeth, which anchor the appliance in place

Dentist wearing blue gloves and mask holding a dental model and explaining to an elderly man with glasses in a dental office.

Dentist wearing gloves holding dental mold and a dental tool during a consultation.

Dental Bonding

Patients looking for a less-invasive and more cost-effective solution may benefit from dental bonding. Dental bonding involves the application of composite resin, a putty-like material, to the surface of an aesthetically displeasing tooth. For example, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor chips or cracks. During the procedure, the composite resin will be color-matched to the existing shade of your enamel, making it virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a small titanium post that we surgically embedded into the jawbone. The implant serves as the root component of a prosthetic tooth. Once the implant is in place, it will fuse to the bone during the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration allows the implant to support a restoration against the strongest forces of your bite. For this reason, dental implants are widely considered to be the next best thing to your natural teeth.

All on 4

At Smile Makers Dental Center, we specialize in several full-arch replacement options for patients missing all or most of their teeth. One of our most common treatments is All-on-4, a complete fixed bridge supported by a series of dental implants. This immensely beneficial treatment concept has revolutionized the way we replace missing teeth.

Dental Implant Restoration

Dental implants have numerous benefits over more traditional restorations. In short, an implant-supported restoration will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. Whether we use porcelain or zirconia, most people will not realize you have a restoration!

‍Implant restorations are also more comfortable and convenient. You will be able to eat your favorite foods without having to worry about embarrassing slips or gum irritation. You can also maintain your restoration as you would your natural teeth, with regular brushing, flossing, and appointments.

Dentures

Dentures are artificial replacement teeth that can restore patients’ self-esteem and wellbeing if they have gaps in their smile. Denture appliances are crafted from polymer, gum-colored material that is designed to attach to your upper or lower dental arch. The artificial teeth are made from resin and selected to meet your preferences for color and size. At our practice, we offer both full dentures and partial dentures.

Full dentures replace a full arch of missing teeth and are secured by either suction or dental adhesive.
Partial dentures are designed to fill in empty spaces where you have lost one or more natural teeth. A partial can usually be attached by clasps or other adhesives.

Whether you need partial or full dentures, we will work with you closely throughout the design process to ensure the appliance meets your needs and preferences; our goal is to ensure the appliance fits comfortably, supports your facial tissue, and looks appealing when worn.

Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and onlays are ideal for areas of decay too large for a filling, but not large enough to require the placement of a dental crown. The restoration is considered an inlay if it is placed within the occlusal (bite) surface of a tooth. The restoration is considered an onlay if it extends beyond one or more of the occlusal cusps.

Tooth Extractions

There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline. We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted, or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth typically erupt much later than other permanent teeth, which can cause problems for your oral health. At Smile Makers Dental Center, we provide wisdom teeth extractions to prevent or alleviate these potential problems. The extraction of impacted wisdom teeth typically takes place during a single appointment.

Root Canal

Root canal treatment is a procedure performed to remove diseased nerve tissue from inside the canals of the tooth root, and thus save them from extraction.

This procedure involves removing the infected interior pulp of the tooth; the pulp includes the nerves, vessels, and tissues that have been exposed as a result of decay or fracture of the tooth.
Once the infection has been removed from the tooth, we will clean and disinfect the root and tooth interior before filling it with a biocompatible material (gutta-percha).
We will then close the tooth opening with a filling or dental crown to maintain its proper appearance and strength. Oftentimes, we utilize a crown to protect the entire tooth structure from further damage or decay.