Despite excellent oral health care, there are times when our teeth need care that is above and beyond a typical exam and cleaning. Restorative dentistry aims to get your teeth back to their full health and function.
At Chatham Family & Implant Dentistry in Pittsboro, NC, we offer a variety of restorations that can have you smiling again in no time. Whether you need a small filling or need to replace missing teeth, our team has the expertise to care for your teeth, so you can get back to living your normal life.
Composite Fillings
Cavities form when tooth decay causes small holes in the teeth enamel. This can happen due to bacteria on the teeth, too much sugar on the surface of the enamel, or not using proper brushing and flossing techniques.
When we place a dental filling, we remove the decay and replace it with a small piece of composite resin. The composite material more closely mimics the color of tooth enamel, making the fillings virtually invisible. The filling seals the hole left behind by the decay, protecting the tooth from bacteria and future infection.
Root Canal Therapy
If bacteria make it to the inner pulp of your teeth, you could develop an infection deep in the tooth around its nerves. This infection causes severe discomfort and requires root canal therapy.
During a root canal, your dentist will remove the infected tooth pulp, including the nerves, and place a sealant inside the tooth. The sealant keeps out bacteria, helping prevent infections in the future. Then, we’ll place a crown over the tooth to give the affected tooth additional strength and protection. The crown is tooth-colored, so no one will notice that you’ve had dental work done.
This kind of infection could be caused by any number of things, including a deep crack in the tooth or a large cavity. If you’re experiencing discomfort that won’t go away, call us for an evaluation.
Dental Crowns
Chips, cracks, or even large fillings can lead to teeth that are weak. When we place a dental crown over a tooth, it adds a layer of strength and protection to the tooth. A dental crown, also called a cap, is typically made of tooth-colored porcelain. Prior to placing the crown, our team takes impressions of your teeth to ensure that the crown doesn’t cause changes to your alignment or bite. Once the crown is ready, we’ll remove a small amount of enamel and then cement the crown in place.
Dental Bridges
Missing one tooth or a few teeth in a row can cause big issues with your daily life, including making it difficult to talk or chew. Using a fixed bridge to replace those teeth gives you back your ability to do those things and more with confidence. A bridge is an appliance that is fixed to surrounding teeth and replaces missing teeth with natural-looking false teeth. Your custom dental bridge will fit comfortably and is a permanent solution to missing teeth.
Replacing missing teeth with a fixed bridge not only restores your ability to eat or talk, but it also helps protect your dental health by protecting against infection and preventing future bone loss.
Inlays & Onlays
When a tooth is weakened due to decay, we can use a restorative inlay or onlay to bring your smile back to its original beauty. An onlay covers the chewing surface of a tooth, and an inlay covers all other surfaces. To create an inlay or onlay, we take impressions of your teeth and send that to a lab. The restoration is made of porcelain or gold and is cemented into place by our team, giving you a stable and long-lasting tooth restoration.
Patients who need restorative dentistry procedures can rest assured that our team will do everything we can to give you back a smile that looks great and functions as it should. Our number one priority is your dental health, but we always keep your comfort in mind, so if there’s anything we can do to help you relax and feel more confident in the care you’re receiving, please let us know. We can’t wait to see you; call today for your appointment!
