Restorative Dentistry
General dentists are often the number-one providers of dental care to people of all ages. When you schedule a routine visit to My Family Dental, you can expect to receive a thorough cleaning, an oral evaluation, and discussions about dental care and overall health. If we find tooth decay, you may have a filling put in that tooth. And while these procedures are incredibly common, a general practice dentist, like Dr. Matt Yurchak, is able to perform a much larger list of procedures as well.
Composite fillings
My Family Dental offers composite or “tooth colored” fillings when restoring decayed, broken, or fracture-lined prone teeth. Composite fillings are the most common procedure in restoring teeth and have multiple shades to match the existing shades of the teeth.
What to expect:
The tooth that needs a filling will be numbed and the decay is removed, the tooth is then filled to proper shape and contour and then polished. Patients can expect to be numb in the area of concern during these procedures and follow a soft diet and avoid hot liquids following until numbing wears off.
Crown
Crowns, also commonly called “caps”, are used to protect and restore the shape of your teeth when a filling is no longer an option. Crowns are made from several different tooth-colored materials that are color matched to the existing shade of your teeth. Crowns can prevent further breakdown/fracturing of structurally weak teeth.
What to expect:
To prepare for a crown, the tooth will be numbed, and the Doctor will reduce the height and circumference of the tooth in order to cement the crown over the tooth. The tooth will then get a temporary crown for a short period of time while the permanent crown is fabricated by the laboratory.
Bridge
Dental bridges are used to “bridge” the gap of a missing tooth/teeth when the gap is located between two existing teeth. It uses a false tooth that is between two crowns. A bridge is then made by adjoining 3 crowns together and then fixed to the teeth on either side of the space. Traditional dental bridges are typically used when a dental implant is not an option and can only be used if there are teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. They are made from a strong and esthetically pleasing material that is matched to the shade of your existing teeth.
What to expect:
To prepare an area for a dental bridge, the area will be numbed and then the Doctor will reduce the height and circumference of the teeth on either side of the space and prepare them for crowns. The lab will then connect the 2 crowns to a floating tooth, which will make up the “bridge”. The patient will have a temporary bridge made while a laboratory fabricates the permanent bridge.
Endodontics
A root canal, also referred to as endodontic treatment is an extremely common procedure that helps relieve pain from a damaged or diseased tooth. A root canal is a painless and highly effective procedure that can typically be completed in one to two visits depending on the condition of the diseased tooth.
A fully developed tooth consists of the white enamel that you can see, a hard layer called dentin, and a third layer we refer to as the “pulp” which contains the nerve tissue of the tooth. When a cavity becomes very large, decay can enter the pulp and begin to cause pain and sensitivity in the root and surrounding area. Most patients experience pain when chewing or sensitivity to hot and cold.
What to expect:
During a root canal, the tooth is numb and all decay in the tooth and pulp is removed, and the inside is disinfected. Then the pulp chamber is filled and sealed to prevent reinfection of bacteria. After treatment is complete the tooth is then prepared and fitted with a crown to ensure strength and longevity.
Implants
Overall oral health and function is adversely affected for patients with missing teeth. Jawbone density and gum tissue begin to diminish immediately after the loss of teeth, affecting not only that area but also the surrounding teeth causing movement and misplacement which can lead to further issues. The placement of an implant will mimic the natural stabilizing structures of the original tooth root. After the tissue is fully fused to the implant (approx. 4 months) a dental crown, bridge, or partial can be placed on top to recreate the teeth that are missing. Implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth.
Partial Denture
A Removable Partial Denture (RPD) is an appliance that can have one or multiple false teeth on it. Some may have heard the word “flipper” which usually has one tooth on it, while a Removable partial denture typically has multiple false teeth and tends to be slightly larger or bulkier in the mouth due to the number of teeth it may be replacing. Typically, these are made from a pink acrylic base that can match the shade of the surrounding gum color and have natural looking teeth. There are metal clasps that are carefully designed to keep the partial in place in your mouth. These metal clasps may be slightly visible depending on the location of the missing teeth and where the partial will sit, however there are other options for more natural-looking clasps to keep the partial in place as well. Removable partial dentures and flippers are typically used as a short-term solution while determining the best long-term lasting option for the replacement of teeth. Both options may help in the replacement of missing teeth in most areas of the mouth.
Complete Denture
Complete dentures can be made for the upper arch of the mouth, that consists of the false teeth and the base that lays on the roof of the mouth. They can also be made for the lower arch, where the base rests along the lower soft tissue and gums. Complete dentures help aid those who have had bone and teeth loss and can provide a highly acceptable level of function and esthetics in an edentulous mouth, meaning no more original teeth remaining. This is considered full mouth reconstruction due to the complete dental arch being restored with the denture and the phases of treatment beforehand that typically includes extracting any teeth that may be left in the mouth that are damaged or experiencing excessive decay.
Contact us!
send us a message
Night Guard
Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as Bruxism, is quite commonplace and may cause damage and pain to teeth. Thankfully, there are numerous night guards for Bruxism available to mitigate this unpleasant condition for anyone who clenches his or her teeth while asleep.