Restorative Care
Sometimes, depending on genetics or circumstance, prevention isn’t enough. If we do find decay during your regular exams, we will recommend restorative treatment to address it. Small areas of decay can be repaired with simple fillings, while more advanced decay may require larger treatment. We offer most kinds of restorative treatment in-office, but Dr. LeCroy will occasionally refer you to a trusted specialist if she feels that will result in a better outcome. After all, we want nothing but the best for you and your teeth.
Fillings
If you’ve got only minor decay, a filling will likely be enough to restore the area. Dr. LeCroy will clean and prep the tooth and then build the decayed area back up with a resin composite. If you need multiple fillings, we will often group them by quadrant so that we only need to numb each area once.
Crowns
For more extensive decay, or for a cracked or otherwise weakened tooth, you may need a crown. Your tooth will be filed down and then the crown will sit like a cap on top of the remaining tooth to give it back its proper strength and appearance. We make our own crowns, and most patients will receive their permanent crowns the same day.
Implants
An implant replaces an extracted or missing tooth. The implant itself is a screw that is surgically placed in the jawbone, and then a special type of crown is screwed on top to restore the tooth. Unlike a normal crown, an implant placement requires multiple appointments with healing time between the placement of the implant and of the crown.
Bridges
A bridge is another option to replace one or more missing teeth.The difference between a bridge and an implant is that an implant is anchored in the jawbone, whereas a bridge is anchored to one (or more often two) other teeth. It can be a more budget-friendly option in the short term, but often has less longevity than an implant.
Root Canals
A root canal is a type of filling for damaged tissue inside the tooth. It involves drilling an access hole to the roots of your teeth, which are then cleaned of damaged tissue and refilled to prevent further damage. Then the access hole is filled and a crown is placed to restore the function and appearance of the visible tooth.
Extractions
Sometimes the best option for decay is to completely extract the tooth. Some teeth can be extracted whole, while others may need a surgical extraction if they break or crumble. It’s a good idea to know whether you’re going to want to replace that tooth with an implant in the future at the time of extraction, as implants often require a bone graft to build up the jaw bone for their placement, which is best done as part of the extraction procedure.