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Restorative

Composite Bonding

Bonding is a common solution for:

Restoring teeth that have cavities.

Repairing chipped or cracked teeth.

Correcting unsightly gaps or spaces between teeth.

Correcting discoloration or faded areas on the tooth's surface.

As the name indicates, composite material, either plastic or resin, is bonded to an existing tooth. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite binding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.

Composite bonding has many advantages:

Time-efficient, typically requiring an hour appointment.
Preserves the tooth's original stucture while being relatively inexpensive.
Highly aesthetic, ranging in a wide variety of shades to provide the best match for your tooth color.

Although composite bonding has many advantage, there are also concepts that need to be taken into consideration. Composite bonds are not as durable and long lasting as veneers and crowns, possibly requiring retouching or replacing with time.

Composite bonds also stain more easily, requiring proper care and regular cleanings. In order to ensure the longest retention of the bonding, composites should be brushed and flossed daily. Common staining elements include coffee, tea, tobacco, and candy.

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Bridges
A bridge is a fixed dental prosthetic that replaces a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge is permanently cemented and is not removable. A bridge may be necessary to prevent the following:

Shifting of teeth that can lead to bite problems (collusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
Shifting and tipping of teeth surrouding the missing tooth.
Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.

Most Common Options for Bridges:

Fixed Bridge- a fixed bridge consists of a replacement tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing adjacent teeth andhold the bridge in place.
Cantilever Bridge- often used when there are teeth on only one side of the span. A typical three-unit cantilever bridge consists of two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of teh missing tooth space. The filler tooth is then connected to the two crowned teeth, which extend into the missing tooth space of end.
Implant Supported Bridge- an implant can also be placed where there are no adjacent teeth to retain a conventional fixed bridge. The placed implant supports the bridge that is fixed over the implant.

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Veneers
Veneers are thin, semi-translucent "shells" attached to the front of your teeth. Veneers are custom restorations made of porcelain material and permanently bonded to your teeth. Veneers are a great alternative to bonding restorations or full crowns to improve the appearance of your smile!

Veneer restorations are considered a restorative option in the following cases:

Spaces between teeth.

Broken or chipped teeth.

Stained or disclored teeth.

Crooked or misshapen teeth.

Cosmetic improvement to create a uniform, radiant smile.

Veneers are a great aesthetic solution for your smile that may help avoid orthodontic treatment. Cosmetic changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, veneer application is completed in only two office visits.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding veneers, please contact our office!

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Crowns
A crown is a permanent cemented restoration that covers and fits over an original tooth that is decayed, damaged or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials such as porcelain, gold, acrylic resin or a combination of these materials. Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance, although it is often less durable than a full cast gold crown.

The procedure for a patient receiving a crown involves:

Anesthetic to numb the tooth and allow for removal of decay.

Resculpting the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown.

Impression of your teeth to ensure a custom-made crown by our lab technician (processing usually takes one to two weeks).

Temporary crown made of acrylic resin is fit onto the tooth during the interim period when the permanent custom-crown is being created. This temporary crown is intended to protect the prepared tooth, holds the space to keep the prepared tooth from shifting and provides functionality for the time between appointments.

Application of the permanent crown, including removal of the temporary crown and fitting of the permanent custom-crown onto the prepared tooth.

After evaluation by Dr. Grasso for proper aesthetic and function, the crown is permanently cemented into place.

This process generally consists of two to three visits over the course of a three to four week period.

Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is essential to maintain healthy crowns as well as gums. Aiding in the prevention of gum disease, proper care can assure crowns that can last a lifetime!


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                                                                        "Instant Ortho"

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