You do your best to keep your teeth clean and healthy. You brush at least twice a day and floss on a regular basis, even schedule biannual visits with the office for cleanings and exams. But sometimes, despite your best preventative efforts, things happen. You may suffer from tooth decay, or have undergone trauma that has damaged your teeth. When dental issues arise, Dr. Holmes is here to help. With restorative dentistry, he can diagnose and properly treat your dental issues, and help to prevent them from occurring again.
COMPOSITE FILLINGS
Cavities occur as the result of tooth decay. Bacteria build up in your mouth and feed on lingering food particles and sugars. As they do so, they produce harmful acids that eat away at your enamel. The cavities create perfect homes for bacteria to hide and continue their destruction of your teeth. Untreated, the acids can eat through the enamel to the vulnerable layers below, and allow bacteria inside your teeth, which can then cause serious infections.
To fix cavities, Dr. Holmes uses composite fillings. After the cavity is cleaned and disinfected, a composite resin material is placed inside and hardened with a specialized light. The excess is then smoothed. Composite fillings are highly effective and offer several benefits, two of the most popular being that they match the color of your teeth and they contain no metal.
CROWNS
Crowns are used to provide strength to a weak, damaged tooth and allows the tooth to stay rooted in your jaw. A crown is essentially a cap that covers the entire visible surface of your tooth. Crowns are used to fix a variety of different issues, including: cracks & breaks, chips, bridge anchors and protection following a root canal treatment.
Crowns can be made out of one of several materials, although ceramic is one of the most common. Your tooth requires some preparation so that the crown will sit comfortably and naturally among the rest of your natural teeth.
DENTURES
Tooth loss is often the cause of gum disease. When you lose your teeth, your ability to speak and eat properly is affected. You may also become self conscious, and not want to smile. Your missing teeth need to be replaced. Dr. Holmes can provide you with a set of dentures, removable prosthetic teeth set in an acrylic base that is supported by your gums. Dentures are available in partial and full, and function similarly to your natural teeth. Dentures are designed to be removed every night for cleaning and allow your gums to rest, and replaced every morning for normal use.
EXTRACTIONS
Sometimes a damaged tooth cannot be saved, and it needs to be extracted. Extractions can be simple or surgical. Simple extractions involve loosening the tooth in its socket and lifting it out. However, if the tooth has a severe crack, or is very weak, you may require a surgical extraction. These extractions involve opening the gum tissue and removing the tooth, and possibly some bone, to ensure the entire tooth is removed. After your extraction, you can speak with Dr. Holmes about replacement options.
Restorative dentistry helps to restore the function and aesthetics of your smile. If your teeth have suffered damage, contact us at (530) 243-0342 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Holmes and learn how restorative dentistry can help you.