Restorative Care
COMPOSITE FILLINGS
A composite filling is a white (tooth colored) restoration used to repair damage to a tooth caused by decay, cracks or wear. We choose to place composite fillings, as opposed to amalgam or 'silver' fillings for a number of reasons. Amalgam contains the known neurotoxin mercury. Composite fillings contain no mercury and are non-toxic. Composite fillings can be matched to the patient’s natural tooth color making them more cosmetically pleasing. Composite fillings also bond directly to the tooth,thereby significantly reducing the chance of fracturing surrounding healthy tooth structure like amalgam fillings routinely do.
With diligent oral hygiene and proper care, fillings are likely to last 5 - 12 years. However, like most dental restorations, fillings are not always permanent and may someday require replacement.
BRIDGE
A bridge is a natural-looking, custom made dental appliance that replaces a section of missing teeth. A bridge can restore your smile and maintain the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth. Bridges are bonded to existing teeth or implants. Fixed bridges can only be removed by your dentist, as opposed to a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean.
A traditional bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth (or teeth) in between. Bridge appliances can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
CROWN
Crowns are synthetic, tooth shaped caps, that are placed over a tooth and used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance. Crowns are typically used to protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth, restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down, and to protect a tooth that has existing large restorations when there is not a lot of tooth structure left. Crowns are also used for attaching bridges and covering implants. Teeth that have become discolored or stained can also be crowned to restore them to their natural appearance.
COMPLETE AND PARTIAL DENTURES
A denture is a custom-made removable appliance for multiple missing teeth. There are two types of dentures. Complete dentures are used when a patient has no remaining natural teeth and partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth. In addition to filling the gap created by missing teeth, both types of dentures support facial muscles and lips, and keep them from sagging and receding, restoring a more youthful appearance, improve speech and improve your overall health by enabling you to eat properly.
Like any restoration, dentures require diligent oral hygiene and proper care to ensure they last a long time. It is expected that, over time dentures may eventually require repair, re-adjustment or replacement. Regular visits to your dentist will ensure that you enjoy maximum comfort and wear.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment is performed when a tooth is decayed or infected. A “root canal” is the natural cavity located in the center of a tooth. Within the root canal is the nerve of the tooth along with a soft area called the pulp. Root canal treatment involves removing the nerves and pulp of the tooth as well as any decay and bacteria, in order to clean and seal the inside of the tooth. The nerve of a tooth is not important to the tooth’s function. It’s only purpose is to sense for cold or hot, therefore the lack of a tooth’s nerve will not affect its function or health. If decayed or infected teeth are left untreated, the surrounding tissue may become infected, possibly resulting in an abscessed (pus-filled) tooth, jaw infections, and swelling throughout the face. After the infection and decay has been removed, we will place a permanent restoration, such as a crown, to protect the tooth.
"Dr. Schaberg was recommended to me by a local oral surgeon, what great advice. The office is not only up on the latest treatments in dentistry but is efficient and friendly as well. A recent filling replacement with the water laser equipment was amazing: no needles, no pain, no anesthetic to wear off and done in a lot less time. My husband just had a crown replacement and is equally happy with both the treatment and the service. I can pass along the oral surgeon's recommendation with no reservations."
- Kitty, Essex Junction, VT