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Around 25% of American adults over 65 have 8 or fewer teeth. We can help you keep or replace yours.
Your Elma dentist will complete a comprehensive oral health exam by taking a detailed look at your teeth and gums. They’ll also screen your smile for oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and anything else that can have an impact on your oral health.
Once your dentist has finished the exam, you’ll take some time to discuss your oral health goals and concerns. This will help your dentist develop a personalized treatment plan that will address your unique dental needs.
Since every smile is unique, no two treatment plans will be exactly the same. We’ll educate you on all of your available options so you can choose the plan that fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Keeping you comfortable and pain-free is one of our top priorities. That’s why we’re proud to provide soothing sedation options. Sedation is not only helpful for complex restorative cases but can also ease dental anxiety. We’ll discuss whether or not you will need or want sedation while we create your treatment plan.
If you’re visiting our office for a dental emergency, we’ll do everything we can to ensure you get the treatment you need as soon as possible. For non-emergencies, we’ll simply schedule your next appointment after your cleaning and exam.
Decayed teeth that have been damaged by cavities or other oral health issues can be repaired with dental fillings. Depending on the location and extent of the damage, different materials can be used to create fillings, such as composite resin, gold alloys, metal amalgam, porcelain, and glass ionomer cement. If you think you may have a cavity, schedule an appointment to get it checked out as soon as possible. Early detection can prevent the decay from spreading and compromising your overall oral health. This can also keep you from needing more invasive procedures such as root canal therapy or extractions down the line.
When a decayed tooth is too large for a dental filling but not big enough to require a crown, dental inlays can restore the extent of the damage. Dental onlays provide a similar function, however, they restore the chewing surface of a tooth. Both dental inlays and onlays can be made from gold, porcelain, composite resin, or another tooth-colored material to improve the look and function of your smile.
Lab-made dental crowns are “caps” that cover damaged teeth down to the gum line. Using the highest-quality materials, a state-of-the-art dental lab will create a customized crown to restore your tooth decay. The dental process begins with your dentist trimming and shaping your damaged tooth so the new crown can firmly attach. Then, your dentist will take digital impressions of your bite before sending it to the lab where your restoration will be crafted.
While you wait a few weeks for your permanent crown to be made, we’ll provide you with a temporary crown to wear in the meantime. Once the lab sends us your finished crown, you’ll return to our office for the final placement. We’ll make sure it fits perfectly so your new smile looks great, feels comfortable, and functions seamlessly.
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic and can replace one or several missing teeth in a row. In order to place the dental bridge, crowns must be secured on the teeth surrounding the gap to support the bridge. Since dental bridges are supported by your natural teeth, they can improve your ability to chew and speak comfortably.
When a tooth is severely damaged, root canal therapy removes the infected pulp from the inside of the tooth and fills it with a rubber-like material. This stops the spread of infection and keeps your tooth strong to prevent future issues.
Although it is most common to receive a root canal on a molar or premolar, the procedure can be done on any of your teeth. Our priority is always to save your natural teeth whenever possible. A root canal may help you avoid more invasive procedures in the future.
Full and partial dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and gum tissue. Partial dentures provide a solution for patients missing one or several of their natural teeth, whereas full dentures replace an entire arch of lost teeth. Dentures are held in place with a suction, dental adhesive, or metal framework that clips into your remaining healthy teeth, completely restoring your smile.
For patients in need of dental implants or other significant procedures, oral surgery might be necessary.
Lost jaw bone mass can be replaced with bone grafting, which ensures a patient’s jaw bone is strong enough to support the placement of a dental implant. Patients experiencing weakened jawbones as a result of tooth loss, periodontal disease, or the natural aging process may be good candidates for bone grafting.
Extractions may be necessary for patients receiving a full set of dentures or full-arch dental implants. That being said, we’ll always try to save your natural teeth whenever possible. Our team will only recommend extraction as an option if we can’t restore your smile using less-invasive measures.
Delaying restorative care can cause your dental issues to worsen over time.
Restorative dentistry rehabilitates the form and function of infected, damaged, or missing teeth, with the goal to prevent further damage later on. Teeth that have been subjected to dental trauma caused by an injury or accident can also be repaired with restorative dentistry.
Restorative dental treatments like root canals, crowns, and implants can completely transform the look, function, and feel of your smile while promoting strong oral health as well. Advancements in dental techniques and technology have made restorative dentistry more comfortable than ever. If you suspect that you may need restorative care, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment. Getting the treatment you need can help you to avoid future oral health problems that come with dental pain and more invasive, costly procedures. Not only will you save yourself time and money, but you’ll also be able to grin with confidence, knowing that your smile is in good health.
A dental emergency includes any instance of oral trauma or an injury that requires immediate attention and can’t be treated at home. Persistent toothaches, continuous oral pain or discomfort, chipped or broken teeth, missing or lost dental work, and bleeding gums are all considered dental emergencies. Even if you’re not certain that what you’re experiencing qualifies as a dental emergency, get in touch with us to find out if you require immediate care.
Many insurance plans cover a portion of restorative procedure costs, but the extent of your coverage can vary depending on your particular policy. For example, your insurance might cover the cost of a filling or root canal, but they may not provide the same coverage for dental implants. Reach out to your provider to get a complete understanding of your own coverage. If you have questions, our knowledgeable and friendly team can help you maximize your benefits at our office.
3 million Americans received dental implants to mend their smiles.
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