No matter how well you take care of your smile and no matter how vigilant you are about visiting the dentist every six months, at some point you may require a dental restoration. A restoration is simply something we use to repair or replace decayed, broken, or damaged teeth. 

Today’s dental restorations use high-tech materials and are applied using the latest techniques, making them stronger and more natural looking than ever before. 

If you believe you are in need of restorative dentistry — or it’s time for your checkup — call Dr. James Ross, Family, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry in Novi, MI at 248-697-2487. Or get in touch with us online. 

Fillings

Fillings are extremely common and typically used to repair cavities in the teeth. Today, patients have two main options when it comes to fillings: metal (amalgam) or composite. Metal fillings are very effective, but are best for back teeth, where they won’t be obvious when you smile. The benefit of composite resin fillings is that they are strong and invisible in your mouth, as they are made of a putty-like material that we match perfectly to your enamel color. 

Crowns

A crown is a cap that covers the entirety of your tooth. They are commonly used to protect and restore the tooth after root canal treatment. They may also be used to fix chipped or damaged teeth and are used to strengthen the supporting teeth for a conventional bridge.

Bridges

A dental bridge is a restoration that’s used to replace one missing tooth or more than one adjacent missing tooth. It literally bridges the gap in your smile. A bridge is made of two dental crowns with a false tooth (pontiff) between them. The crowns are placed on the healthy teeth on either side of the socket, anchoring the pontiff in place.

Dentures

If you have many missing teeth, a conventional denture is a cost-effective way to replace them. If you have an entire arch of missing teeth, you can get a full denture. If you have some natural teeth left, you may get a partial denture. If you decide on dentures, they will be custom-made for your mouth and will enable you to speak and chew properly once again. They also prevent the facial muscles from sagging — a common problem with missing teeth. And don’t worry — modern dentures are much more lifelike than grandma’s!

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the gold standard when it comes to tooth replacement. That’s because an implant replaces the entire tooth — including the root. The multi-step process involves surgically inserting a titanium post into the jawbone, allowing it to heal over several months (it will actually fuse with your bone as it does), then attaching an abutment and a false tooth. If you have several missing teeth, you may get dentures that are supported by dental implants. 

There have never been so many options when it comes to boosting your oral health and appearance by restoring decayed or damaged teeth. If you think you may need a restorative dental procedure call Dr. James Ross, Family, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry in Novi, MI at 248-697-2487 or fill out our online form.