Citracado General Dental Services
- White Fillings
- Composite Inlays and Onlays
- Extractions
- Customized Dentures and Partials
- Crowns
- Root Canal Therapy
- Periodontal Disease and Periodontal Care
White Fillings
Today, more patients ask us about white fillings because they want their teeth to look healthy when they laugh, talk, and smile. White fillings, also called composite fillings, are made from tooth-colored materials that restore the natural appearance of a decayed or previously filled tooth. They blend well with tooth enamel and do not look like fillings, therefore we recommend white fillings as the restoration of choice.
A composite filling usually requires only one visit during which the tooth is prepared and restored. An advantage of composite fillings compared to other dental restorations is that less of the healthy part of the tooth is removed to hold a composite filling in place. This is due to the ability to adhesively bond composite materials to the teeth. Because the composite is bonded directly to the tooth, it strengthens the tooth making it more resistant to fracture.
Composites are preferable for cosmetic reasons, but if the decayed area is larger or is subject to heavy chewing pressure, the dentist may recommend another type of material or restoration.
Composite Inlays and Onlays
Other types of white fillings include composite inlays as well as porcelain inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are used to restore teeth that are badly damaged by decay or wear. They may be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth when aesthetics are of concern.
First, the tooth is prepared by removing damaged tooth structure. The remaining tooth is shaped to receive the inlay or onlay. The dentist makes an impression of the tooth, the opposing teeth and the bite. A model is prepared and from that model the inlay or onlay is custom made. A temporary onlay is made for you, and at your next visit the restoration is checked for fit before cementing onto your tooth.
The cost of white restorations varies depending on the amount of surfaces and the depth of the restoration, but most patients feel it is well worth the additional cost. It is important to maintain your restorations with preventative care, and understand that white fillings may require periodic replacement like other dental materials. With proper oral hygiene care, your dentist can detect any problems in the early stages.
Extractions
An extraction is the complete removal of a primary or a permanent tooth. An extraction can be surgical or non-surgical. This depends on the difficulty of the extraction and whether or not the tooth is impacted or erupted, and whether it has straight or curved roots. An extraction may be done by our office or you may be referred to an Oral Surgeon (someone who specializes in difficult or surgical extractions). No one looks forward to an extraction, but modern anesthesia will help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
There are several reasons you may need an extraction. The number one reason adults loose their teeth is due to advanced Gum Disease. Advanced gum disease is a bacterial infection that erodes the bone support between the tooth and the jaw, causing teeth to become mobile.
An abscessed tooth can be so severe that an extraction is necessary. An abscess is when the pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a severely cracked or chipped tooth. It can also occur from a blow or trauma to the tooth, even though there is no visible sign of damage.
As the picture on the right illustrates, a tooth with deep decay into the bone may also need to be extracted. A tooth that has broken at the gum line most likely cannot be saved.
Impacted teeth (typically “wisdom teeth—) are most always extracted. Impacted teeth are unerupted or partially erupted teeth that cannot fully erupt due to:
- Lack of space
- Misalignment
- Conflicting position
- Ankylosis (fused to the bone)
The important thing to know about impacted teeth is that they almost always require extraction.
Nothing is better than a healthy set of teeth, and many advances in dentistry allow us to save teeth that we could not previously, but sometimes an extraction is necessary.
Customized Dentures and Partials
There is a great deal involved in creating the perfect denture or partial. They not only replace missing teeth, but also provide support for your lips and cheeks, and prevent facial muscles from sagging. A beautiful smile frames the face. It builds self-confidence and allows you to feel good about yourself. Your smile is part of your personality and just like there are no two people alike...there are no two dentures alike. Teeth selection is crucial in crafting the right smile for you. Each case is unique and handled accordingly. We take individualization and customization to heart.
We do not take the task lightly. We use the highest skill, care, and judgment in creating your denture or partial. The highest quality materials, precision, and expertise are used with only you in mind.
Dentures
Complete dentures are called “conventional” or “immediate” according to when they are made and when they are inserted into your mouth. A complete denture, also called a full denture, replaces all the natural teeth and provides facial support. And by replacing missing teeth, dentures improve a person’s ability to speak and to eat.
If you are like most people who are learning about dentures, you probably have many questions. Replacing missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and your appearance. A complete denture, also called a full denture, replaces all the natural teeth and provides facial support. And by replacing missing teeth, dentures improve a person’s ability to speak and to eat.
Overdenture
An overdenture is one that fits over a small number of remaining teeth that have been prepared by your dentist. The prepared teeth provide stability and support for the denture. If you have any remaining teeth that are healthy and can be saved, they act as the best anchors for a denture or partial. It is important that there is adequate bone ridge to in order to support a denture properly, and any teeth you may have will add that extra stability and security.
Partial Denture
A partial denture is anchored to your own natural teeth, and is often stabilized with clasps that attach around the surface of your tooth structure. In some cases, precision attachment partials may be made which are anchored to specially designed crowns.
Implant Denture
Implant dentures provide the greatest stability because the denture actually snaps unto the implants, which are surgically placed into your own bone. Your general dentist or a dental specialist will assist you in determining if implants are a good choice for your dental needs.
Crowns
A crown is a restoration that covers, or caps, a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are placed for a variety of reasons. Crowns are placed for a variety of reasons.
- Restore teeth when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to provide support for large fillings
- Attach bridges
- Protect weak teeth from fracturing
- Restore fractured teeth
- Cover badly shaped or discolored teeth
- Cover dental implants
Crowns are made from a number of materials and your dentist will make the best decision for your specific situation. The creation and placement of a crown is a precision procedure. Several steps are involved, and at least two dental visits usually are necessary for completion. The dentist will prepare the tooth by removing its outer portion to accommodate the thickness of the crown. If the tooth has a filling, a part of the material may be left in place to serve as a foundation for the crown. An impression is made to provide an exact model of the prepared tooth, and then a crown is made by a dental laboratory technician from this model. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is made. When you and your dentist are satisfied with the appearance, fit, and function of your crown, it is cemented in place.
Root Canal Therapy
“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is the Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. Endodontics is the area of dentistry concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the dental pulp (the tooth’s soft core).
To understand endodontics treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth.
The pulp is a soft tissue that contains the nerves, arteries, veins, and lymph vessels of a tooth. It lies within the dentin, which is the bone-like tissue that supports the enamel. The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root.
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. This inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. A blow to the tooth can also cause pulp damage, even if the tooth appears to have no visible injury. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Signs of pulp damage include pain, prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes, there are no symptoms. Once the root canal process is completed, your dentist will discuss the next step for you, which almost always involves a permanent crown restoration.
It is extremely important to follow up with your post, core build-up, and crown after a root canal procedure. Once a root canal is completed, little tooth structure remains and the tooth needs to be built up again and prepared for a crown. There is only a temporary putty-type material inside your tooth, and it is not strong enough to withstand chewing and normal function. If you fail to follow through with treatment, you will eventually lose your tooth.
We recommend not waiting more than two weeks to schedule for your crown restoration, because it is important to let your root canal heal. Fractures and re-infection increase greatly when there is not a permanent structure surrounding your tooth.
Periodontal Disease and Periodontal Care
Periodontal diseases are caused by certain types of bacteria in plaque that forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins, which irritate the gums and break down the attachment of gum tissues to the teeth. Over a period of time, these toxins can destroy gum tissues, allowing the infection to progress to the underlying bone. In addition, unremoved plaque combines with other materials and hardens into a rough, porous deposit called calculus (tarter). This calculus builds up underneath the gum line making it more difficult to properly clean your teeth, and then leads to periodontal disease.
All types of periodontal disease are started by bacterial infection. This disease is usually painless and may develop slowly or progress rapidly.
Healthy gingival (gum tissue) and bone anchor the teeth firmly in place. The gums have a healthy pink color, with no signs of bleeding or inflammation.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease and affects only the gum tissue. Gums are red, tender, swollen, and likely to bleed.
Moderate Periodontitis occurs when toxins destroy the tissues that anchor the teeth in the bone. Gums become detached from the teeth, forming pockets that fill with more plaque. Tooth roots are exposed to plaque and become susceptible to decay and sensitive to cold and touch.
Advanced periodontitis is present when the teeth lose more attachment because the supporting bone is destroyed. Unless treated, the affected teeth frequently become loose and may fall out or require removal by a dentist. This stage usually requires surgery.
How Do I Begin Treatment?
It may seem overwhelming to hear you have a disease, but the good news is there are ways to treat your infection and restore a healthy mouth and smile.
- Full Mouth Debridement with one of our trained hygienists. During this visit a gross scale debridement and periodontal evaluation is done.
- Root planing and scaling is done, either one quadrant at a time or one half of your mouth at a time depending upon the level of infection.
- Periodontal surgery as needed.
- Fine scale polish in 4 to 8 weeks.
- Periodontal Maintenance appointments at 3 to 4 month intervals, as recommend by your hygienist.
The Warning Signs
If you notice any of the following symptoms, see your dentist immediately:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Gums that pull away from teeth
- Persistent bad breath
- Pus between teeth and gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Change in the fit of your partials
Root Planing / Scaling
Root planing and scaling are highly effective methods of removing calculus. A combination of root therapy, a regimented home care program, and regular dental visits will help you keep your smile healthy.