Restorative Dentistry in Oakton
While we work hard to help patients keep their smiles whole and healthy for life, most patients will still experience dental decay or damage at some point. When this occurs, Oakton Dentistry by Design is happy to offer a variety of conservative and cosmetically superior treatment options to restore patients’ smiles to their full form and function. Contact us to find out more or schedule an appointment today.
Crowns & Bridges
Dental crowns are possibly the most commonly used dental restorations as they are able to correct a number of concerns and are available in a variety of high-quality materials including gold, porcelain bonded to metal, and all ceramic. Some of the reasons we may recommend dental crowns include:
- Severe decay or damage too extensive for more conservative options
- Restoring full form and function to smiles that have undergone root canal therapy
- Attached to a dental implant to replace a single tooth
- Dental crowns placed on healthy teeth can be used to support a fixed bridge tooth replacement for one or more consecutive lost teeth
Direct Bonding
Direct bonding is a cosmetic alternative to traditional amalgam fillings. These tooth-colored fillings are created using a composite resin material that is directly applied and shaped onto the damaged or decayed tooth. Once the filling is in place, we use a curing light to harden the putty-like material, polish, and seal it in place. Unlike amalgam fillings, direct bonding creates a stronger, more natural bond between the tooth and filling decreasing the risk for tooth decay in the future and keeping treated teeth healthy.
Tooth Extractions
We strive to help patients keep their smiles for a lifetime, but there are certain instances where extraction is the best option to maintain overall oral health. Some of the most frequent causes for tooth extraction include:
- Severe damage or decay effecting more the ¾ of the tooth and possibly negatively affecting surrounding teeth and gums
- Removal to make space within the jawline for teeth to shift during orthodontic treatment
- Removal in preparation to receive a partial or full denture
- Third molar, wisdom tooth, extraction due to inadequate space to accommodate this final set of teeth
Dentures & Partials
Traditional partial and full dentures are a reliable treatment option for those patients who suffer from extensive tooth loss. Partial dentures are used to fill gaps in patients’ smiles caused by the loss of a number of nonconsecutive missing teeth. Replacement teeth are set into a gum colored base that clasps to surrounding healthy teeth. A full denture replaces an entire row of lost teeth. A replacement arch of teeth is attached to a larger gum colored base that is specifically molded to remain in place against the gums through natural suction.
Root Canal Therapy
The phrase root canal is associated with painful toothaches and frightening dental treatments, but root canal therapy actually significantly relieves the associated toothache and restores the damaged tooth to full form and function. The best news is that root canals are no more painful than other dental treatments like crowns. Root canals are necessary when patients experience dental decay or damage that reaches the inner pulp layer of the tooth. The tooth’s nerve system is housed within the pulp, so decay or damage that reaches this inner layer directly affects the nerves leading to severe toothache. Root canals remove the damaged pulp, replace it with a similar substance, and reseal the tooth. In most cases, patients experience immediate relief from the accompanying toothache, and are able to return to their regular activities free from pain. We may recommend patients have a dental crown placed to protect their smiles and strengthen the treated tooth. If this is necessary, we will place a temporary crown on the day of treatment that will be exchanged with a custom crafted crown at a later time.