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Restorative Dentistry
Lake Oswego, OR
Restorative Dentistry provided by Dr. Carly Petersen
in Lake Oswego, OR at The Dentist on Boones Ferry
 Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing and restoring the function, appearance, and health of damaged or missing teeth.
The Dentist on Boones Ferry aims to rebuild the structural integrity of teeth, enhancing both their aesthetic appeal and functionality. By combining procedures, Dr. Petersen enables our patients to regain their confident smiles, improve oral health, and enjoy a better quality of life.
The most common, successful, and long lasting approach to replacing teeth nowadays is through the use of dental implants. Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. Titanium is the most popular material used for creating dental implants, as it is biocompatible with the body.
A traditional dental implant is made up of three separate pieces: the implant post itself that is surgically placed into the jawbone to act as the new root, the abutment - which serves as a connector between the implant and the crown, and the implant crown which serves as the new tooth.
It will only take you a few minutes of a painless process to restore your tooth. On your visit, the dentist will use an anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the affected tooth as the first step. Dr. Petersen will then remove the decayed area with either an air abrasion device, laser, or a drill, depending on their preference. The next step involves testing the area to determine if all the decay is removed.
If it is clear, Dr. Petersen will clean the cavity and fill it with the type of material you choose or is recommended. Your tooth will then be polished.
Crowns are actually dental caps we use on patient's teeth. Sometimes, you need more than a bonding agent on your tooth, because it may be weak. Weak teeth break easily. Instead of doing a small repair on one part of the tooth, we cover it entirely - which is why crowns are referred to as dental caps.
Dental crowns can be used to solve all sorts of dental problems. Sometimes, we place a crown over a tooth that has a large filling and has become weak. This weakness in a filled tooth is especially common in molars.
The patient might develop a gap in the tooth between the cavity and the tooth itself, which can become decayed. You might also crack or chip this tooth because it is weak. Crowning the tooth saves and protects it from decay or from breaking. Crowns can also be used to cover teeth that are cracked or chipped.
CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) crowns are a popular choice of dental crown used to cover a tooth with any imperfection. This could include discoloration, damage, or even a tooth implant. Crowns are essential in restoring the look and function of your mouth after you lose a tooth.
CEREC crowns are made of either porcelain or a resin composite. CEREC crowns look like natural teeth and their main benefit is that they can be placed in the same day. These do not have a metal core, unlike traditional crowns. However, they are actually much sturdier than traditional crowns. They resist abrasion and tend to last longer.
This type of crown is popular for its many positive characteristics. Porcelain crowns are said to resemble natural teeth; however, they are not as strong as the other types of crowns.
They have many advantages when it comes to visibility, as they cannot be easily spotted. Porcelain crowns are often used for the front teeth due to their resemblance to natural teeth.
These crowns are also considered stain resistant, therefore the original shade of your teeth will be kept for some time. These crowns, however, are weaker than other materials used and tend to wear out the opposite tooth from the crown.
One advantage of dental bridges is that they can replace multiple teeth. If you have several missing teeth, a bridge may be the best option for you.
Dental bridges are made out of porcelain, and they're attached to the teeth on either side of the gap. Dental bridges have a lifespan of up to 10 years. So if you're looking for a long-term solution, dental bridges are a good choice.
Since dental bridges are attached to the teeth on either side of the open gap, they don't require much maintenance. All you need to do is maintain a good brushing and flossing routine.
An inlay may be used to resolve moderate tooth decay. These restorations are mainly used when decay has advanced to a level where a dental filling may not help, but the dental crown is too large for repair. The goal of having dental inlays is to help preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible. Additionally, inlays can be custom-made to match the shade of your existing teeth, thus giving you natural-looking results.
Often referred to as partials or partial crowns, onlays can help repair damages in tooth cusps. Onlays are less expensive options for dental crowns.
Your options for inlays and onlays mostly depend on the nature and severity of the decay.
For some patients, tooth extraction is the only option if the severity of infection or damage is too far progressed for us to save the tooth.
Simple extractions are the easiest type to perform, and they only require a local anesthetic. This numbs the area so that you do not feel the tooth being removed. This extraction is used when we are able to see the tooth above the gum. For simple extractions, we will utilize a dental elevator. This tool loosens the tooth, making it easier to remove. The tooth can then be removed using forceps. Since this does not require an incision, stitches will not be needed. You may still receive gauze, though, since bleeding will not stop immediately.
Surgical extractions are necessary when we cannot see the tooth above the gum, meaning it is impacted below it. One common example of this is wisdom teeth.
When a tooth becomes infected, the only way to remove the infection and save the tooth is with a root canal. During a root canal procedure, infected pulp is removed from the tooth before being filled and sealed with a crown, which is meant to protect the tooth from bacteria and provide strength.
Root canals become necessary when bacteria enter your tooth and cause an infection. This can happen as the result of a chip or crack in the tooth that exposes the dentin (hollow channels that lead to the pulp and root of the tooth). It can also happen as a result of gum disease. Once bacteria enter the tooth, they begin to multiply. The pulp within your tooth becomes irritated and inflamed, causing damage and killing the nerves in the root of the tooth.
Schedule Restorative Dental Care with Your Lake Oswego Dentist Today!
The Dentist on Boones Ferry provides a variety of restorative dentistry services. We can be reached at (971) 377-1208 to schedule an appointment. |
