Sometimes, no matter how well you take care of your teeth, you experience injuries, cracks or decay that cannot be avoided. When this happens, we provide restorative dentistry to help repair the problem and prevent further issues.
FILLINGS
Silver and gold restorative fillings are a thing of the past. Today’s composite resins are tooth-colored, safe and extremely durable. They are made up of ceramic and long-lasting plastics. Fillings are used to repair cavities, cracks, chips and worn enamel. To apply a filling, any decayed area must first be removed, cleaned and thoroughly dried. You may be a candidate for our new, Solea, CO2 dental laser system that replaces traditional numbing injections and drilling. If this process requires drilling, scraping or any potentially painful measures, we will first numb the appropriate areas. Our priority is to always make sure you feel safe, comfortable and relaxed while you are at our office.
SAME-DAY CROWNS AND ONLAYS
The days of needing multiple appointments and temporary, uncomfortable crowns is over when you choose Serenity Valley Family Dentistry. Thanks to new technology called CEREC® (chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramics), we are able to restore damaged teeth with natural-colored ceramic fillings in one appointment, saving you time, money and hassle. CEREC uses computerized technology to manufacture a ceramic crown while you wait. Dr. Rosenfeldt will use a special camera to photograph your damaged tooth and then create a precision-cut restoration. The tooth-colored crown is anti-abrasive, plaque-resistant and looks natural in your mouth. The crown is bonded to your old tooth and you’re ready to go; the whole process usually takes only one hour from start to finish.
BRIDGES
When you are missing a tooth, a bridge (sometimes called a fixed partial denture) is a great way to fill in the gap. Replacing a missing tooth isn’t just about improving appearance; sometimes the open gap can change your bite pattern, cause speech problems or allow surrounding teeth to shift out of alignment. Dr. Rosenfeldt can help you determine if you might benefit from a bridge.To make a bridge, an artificial tooth is created to replace the missing one, with crowns on each side that attach to your surrounding teeth. The crowns are what keep the bridge in place and provide structure and stability to the artificial tooth.
ROOT CANALS
Sometimes tooth decay goes deeper than the surface of the tooth into the root pulp and a filling is not sufficient to repair the damage. Untreated, deep decay can cause painful infections and disease that may lead to the loss of the tooth. Infected pulp can be caused by deep cavities, cracks in the tooth or injuries. If you are sensitive to hot, cold and sweets; experience pain when biting or chewing; notice swelling around your mouth or have a chronic bad taste in your mouth, you may have an infection. Be sure to call our office right away if any of these symptoms occur so Dr. Rosenfeldt can complete an exam.To perform a root canal, the infected or decayed areas of the tooth are removed and replaced with a filling compound. The entire tooth is then covered with a crown to seal off the roots. Within 24 hours, you should no longer have sensitivity to hot or cold and chewing should be pain free.
DENTURES
Chronic dental issues, health problems or injury can lead to the loss of all or several of your natural teeth. When this happens, we recommend dentures. A denture is a prosthetic set of artificial teeth that are tailored to fit your jaw. As with most dental procedures, technology has made dentures so comfortable and natural looking, it’s nearly impossible to know if someone is wearing them.Please visit with Dr. Rosenfeldt if you are interested in learning more about partial or complete dentures.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Whether it’s decay, genetics or an all-star hockey game that causes you to lose some adult teeth, implants may be the ideal replacement option for you. An implant consists of a titanium post, which is surgically implanted in your jaw, topped by a crown that acts as your artificial tooth. It takes several months to ensure that the post is assimilated to your jaw and completely healed before the permanent crown is placed, but a temporary crown can be created to help you maintain chewing capacity and a natural smile. If this is a wise choice for you, Dr. Rosenfeldt will recommend a local specialist to complete the surgical portion of your implant restoration process.
