Restorative Dental Solutions in Bel Red, Bellevue
It’s great news that the incidence of tooth decay has significantly diminished over the years due to the use of fluorides and an increase in patient awareness. However, teeth are still susceptible to decay, infection, and breakage and sometimes need to be restored to health. Through improved techniques and modern technology, we are now able to offer more options for restoring a tooth to its normal shape, appearance, and function. Restorations provide many benefits, including:
- Filling in spaces between teeth.
- Correcting an improper bite.
- Preventing the loss of a tooth.
- Restoring normal eating and chewing.
- Relieving dental pain.
- Repairing damaged and decayed teeth.
- Replacing missing teeth.
- Enhancing your smile.
- Replacing old, unattractive dental treatments.
Should your teeth ever require a restorative treatment, you can rest assured knowing we will always discuss with you the available options and recommend what we believe to be the most comfortable and least invasive treatment. Providing you with excellent care is our number one priority when creating your beautiful smile.
Why Dental Restorations Are Necessary
Restorations are needed for many reasons, including damage and decay, or accidents. Damaged teeth need to be treated as soon as possible. Besides being uncomfortable, the area may become infected and lead to more serious dental problems. Restorations are also needed after treatment of an infection, such as with a root canal.
At Alex Chan, DDS we can provide complete restorations that relieve pain and let you function normally again. It is better for your overall oral health to keep your natural teeth as long as you can, and restorations help you do just that. If you are living in the Bellevue, Washington area, schedule an appointment with our dental office to find out more about the type of restorations we have available.
Types of Restorations
At Alex Chan, DDS, we know there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so we offer customized treatment plans based on your individual needs. Here are some of the common dental restorations that we offer:
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is the best type of restoration when a tooth is missing a large portion of its enamel because it is a cap that surrounds the tooth. You can bite down with full force this way and not worry about being uncomfortable or further damaging the tooth. This is most commonly used when the tooth is severely cracked or chipped, or after a root canal. Luckily, in addition to the traditional all-metal material, crowns now come in all-ceramic and ceramic-on-metal.
Dental Veneers
If only a small chip or crack damages a tooth, a veneer can be used to restore it. A veneer is a thin shell placed on top of a natural tooth and often used for front teeth restoration.
White Fillings
We use white or natural-colored fillings at Alex Chan, DDS as a way to restore teeth with cavities. Once we remove the tooth's decayed area, replacing the missing enamel requires a filling. Traditionally, this was done using silver amalgam, but now we can complete dental restorations using natural-looking materials so that no one can tell that you had dental work when you smile.
Bonding
A simple bonding procedure can often benefit those who need minor restorations. This is popular when baby teeth are restored. For example, children don't need a dental veneer on a tooth that will fall out shortly. With this in mind, we can keep a baby tooth in place and make sure it works properly by using a bonding procedure to restore it.
Temporary Denture
Temporary dentures can be used in many cases while deciding how you want to replace a tooth permanently. A wire similar to wearing a retainer holds these temporary dentures in place. They are not intended to be worn on a long-term basis but will help you look normal while you decide which restoration procedure to use.
Dental Bridges
Patients can replace a tooth with a bridge without having to undergo surgery. In this procedure, a dental crown is placed on the two teeth surrounding the missing one. The crowns are used as anchors for holding in place a gum-colored bridge to secure the new tooth. The entire bridge is created in a local dental laboratory, and by color-matching it with the surrounding teeth, it will look completely natural.
Dental Implants
The longest lasting option for replacing a missing tooth is an implant. In this procedure, a bio-compatible post is placed under the gums and secured to the jawbone. The bone and metal combine to create a synthetic root system to secure the new tooth. Patients can maintain an active lifestyle with this type of dental restoration without worrying about the stability of their new tooth.
Caring for Your Restorations
The lifespan of a dental implant, dental crown, porcelain veneer, or other dental cosmetic restoration depends largely on how it is treated. Excellent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups with the team at Alex Chan, DDS will extend the duration of many tooth restorations. While it may seem difficult to squeeze in the extra few minutes each day to floss and brush your teeth, it can extend the life of your dental restoration and save you money on a replacement.
When you visit our team for regular check-ups, we can tell you in advance if your restoration is likely to need replacement.
Other restorations may last a lifetime, such as dental implants. However, the better you care for your restoration, the longer it is likely to last. Poor eating or hygiene habits may require replacements to be restored earlier than needed.
Gain Full Functionality with a Natural Appearance
Whether a tooth has been knocked out or fallen out as a result of an infection, it can be replaced in several ways. If tooth loss is keeping you from ideal oral health and dental appearance, you owe it to yourself to explore your options for replacement. Call our dedicated team today to schedule an appointment and consultation to determine which procedure is right for you.