Restorative Dentistry

Fillings are a common and effective way to restore a tooth damaged by decay. During your appointment, we'll start by numbing the area to ensure you're comfortable. Dr. Reid will then carefully remove the decayed portion of the tooth and clean the affected area. Once the tooth is prepared, we’ll fill it with a durable material that matches the natural color of your tooth. This not only restores the tooth's function but also its appearance. The procedure is quick and straightforward, and you'll be able to use your tooth normally right away.
 
Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene will help keep your fillings in great shape and your smile healthy!

Imagine your tooth is like a house, and inside it is a little room where the nerve and blood supply live, called the pulp. Sometimes, this room can get infected or damaged, causing a lot of pain. A root canal procedure is like sending in a cleaning crew to tidy up and disinfect the room, then sealing it off to prevent further issues. Root canals get a bad rep for being painful, but we promise: with modern techniques and anesthesia, we’ll keep you comfortable and get you back to your carefree smile in no time.

Some patients require more than a standard preventative tooth and gum cleaning. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that we use to treat gum disease and maintain your oral health. During scaling, we carefully remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline. Then, we smooth out the root surfaces to help gums reattach firmly to the teeth. This process prevents further gum problems and promotes healing. It's a vital step in keeping your gums and teeth healthy, ensuring a fresh and clean mouth for years to come.

After a full examination and routine dental prophylaxis is completed, accompanied by a full set of dental radiographs and full mouth pocket depth assessment, you will be scheduled to start your quadrant scaling and root planing. We typically suggest splitting the procedure into two or four appointments.

During a scaling and root planing appointment, you can expect thorough care focused on improving your gum health. First, we'll numb the area to ensure your comfort. Then, using specialized tools, we'll carefully remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from above and below the gumline through a process called scaling. Next, we'll smooth out rough spots on the roots of your teeth to help your gums heal and reattach properly, which is called root planing. Afterward, you may experience mild sensitivity or slight discomfort, but this will quickly subside as your gums heal.

Once completed, your recall care will consist of an appointment in three months to assess pocket depth reduction, overall tissue and home maintenance. Regular follow-up visits and good oral hygiene at home will help maintain the health of your gums and teeth over time.

When you have a missing tooth, a dental bridge can fill the gap and restore your smile. We create a custom-made false tooth and secure it in place by attaching it to the neighboring teeth, which act as anchors. This not only restores your ability to chew and speak properly but also keeps your other teeth from shifting out of place. The procedure is straightforward, and once completed, you'll have a seamless, natural-looking smile again.

If you have a broken cusp on a teeth or a large filling, you may want to consider a porcelain inlay or onlay. These treatments are a simple way to restore teeth and can be an excellent alternative to a crown in some cases. An inlay fits within the grooves of a tooth, while an onlay extends over one or more cusps (the pointed parts of a tooth). Both are bonded to the tooth to restore its function and appearance, providing a stronger and more durable solution than traditional fillings. They are especially useful for teeth that are too damaged for a filling but not damaged enough to require a crown.

A dental implant is like giving your smile a second chance. When a tooth is missing, we can replace it with a small titanium post that acts like a new tooth root. This post is placed into your jawbone and, over time, fuses with the bone, creating a strong foundation. We then attach a custom-made crown on top, which looks and functions just like a natural tooth. The result is a permanent, sturdy, and natural-looking replacement that blends seamlessly with your other teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence!

What to Expect for Multiple Appointments

Getting a dental implant is a multi-step process that typically spans several appointments, each designed to ensure the best outcome. Initially, we'll have a consultation where Dr. Reid will assess your oral health, take X-rays, and discuss your treatment plan. If needed, we might start with a bone graft to ensure there's enough bone to support the implant.

At the next appointment, we’ll place the titanium implant into your jawbone. This is done under local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Over the next few months, the implant will integrate with your bone, creating a strong foundation. During this healing period, you might wear a temporary crown to maintain your smile and function.

Once the implant has fully fused with the bone, you’ll return to have an abutment attached to the implant. This abutment will hold the final crown in place. After your gums heal around the abutment, we’ll take digital scans of your mouth to create a custom crown that matches your natural teeth.

Finally, we’ll place the permanent crown on the abutment, completing the process. You’ll have a durable, natural-looking tooth replacement that functions just like a real tooth. Throughout this journey, we'll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing and long-lasting results. Regular follow-up visits will help us monitor your progress and maintain your new smile.

When a tooth is damaged or weakened, we need to give it extra support. A core buildup provides a solid foundation inside the tooth, like reinforcing its structure. Then, we place a dental crown over it, which acts as a protective cap, restoring the tooth's shape, strength, and appearance. The process is simple, and once we're finished, your tooth will be stronger and ready to handle daily activities, keeping your smile in top shape!

Dr. Reid does his utmost to keep all of your natural teeth, but sometimes a tooth needs to be removed to protect your overall dental health. That's where an extraction comes in. It's a common procedure where we gently remove the problematic tooth. Don't worry—we'll make sure you're comfortable and numb the area so you won't feel any pain. After the extraction, we'll give you simple aftercare instructions to help with healing. Removing the tooth can relieve pain, prevent further issues, and pave the way for a healthier, happier smile.

Whatever the dental emergency, you should be seen as soon as possible! Call the Superior Smiles office, and we’ll do our very best to get you in the same day to be treated and feeling better in no time.

Dental emergencies are serious business. Let’s review what is and what isn’t a dental emergency: