Restorative Dental Care
 Fillings
Fillings are used to restore tooth damage caused by tooth decay. After removing the decay and cleaning the area, Jason S. Ellis DDS will add filling material. Fillings are made from traditional amalgam (silver-colored) or composite (tooth-colored) material. Composite fillings, unlike traditional fillings, are more aesthetically pleasing and bond directly to the tooth surface.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is composed of a ceramic resin that is brushed onto the tooth and hardened with intense light. Prior to bonding, an etchant is placed to roughen the surface, and a primer agent is then applied so the bond will adhere properly. Dental bonding is used for:
| • |
Repairing tooth decay damage
|
| • |
Improving tooth alignment
|
| • |
Filling gaps between teeth
|
| • |
Cosmetic reasons (improving tooth appearance) |
Dental Crowns
Crowns are used to restore teeth severely damaged by fracture or decay. After the tooth surface is cleaned and prepared, the crown is placed to cover the remainder of the tooth. The crown strengthens the tooth structure and helps prevent future decay. Crowns also improve the tooth's look, shape and alignment. Crowns are used to:
| • |
Restore a fractured tooth
|
| • |
Restore a tooth severely damaged by decay
|
| • |
Protect a tooth from fracture
|
| • |
Cover a discolored or unattractive tooth
|
| • |
Cover a dental implant
|
| • |
Anchor a bridge
|
| • |
Restore a tooth with a root canal |
Dental Bridge
 Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth in both a cosmetic and functional fashion. A bridge structure is one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by natural teeth, crowns or implants, on each side of the bridge. Using a bridge to fill the gap from missing teeth helps restore proper bite. It also prevents teeth from shifting to fill the gap (which may lead to additional bite and jaw joint issues). Bridges can be constructed from gold, porcelain and metal, or ceramic. Ceramic bridge color is made to match your natural tooth color. Material choice will depend on structural requirements, wear and aesthetics. Bridges are used to:
| • |
Replace missing teeth
|
| • |
Prevent teeth from shifting
|
| • |
Correct bite issues due to missing teeth
|
| • |
Help prevent jaw joint problems from altered bite
|
| • |
Improve appearance (cosmetic reasons) |
Dental Implant
 Implants may be the best option for replacing missing teeth. An implant is a titanium post that is attached directly to the jawbone. After the bone and surrounding tissue has healed, an artificial tooth is attached to the implant. Implants provide superior benefits compared to bridges as they do not depend on neighboring teeth for structural support. Implants are the closest dental structure in durability to natural teeth and have greater cosmetic appeal. Implants are used to:
| • |
Replace missing teeth
|
| • |
Prevent teeth from shifting
|
| • |
Correct bite issues due to missing teeth
|
| • |
Help prevent jaw joint problems from altered bite
|
| • |
Improve appearance (cosmetic reasons) |
Root Canal
 A root canal becomes needed when tooth decay is so deep that it reaches the tooth pulp. Once the pulp is infected, it cannot heal on its own. Sometimes tooth trauma, such as a fracture, can lead to the need for a root canal as well. In addition to being painful, untreated infections can reach the root tip and compromise the entire immune system. Symptoms of pulp infections may be:
| • |
Sensitivity to hot/cold
|
| • |
Sensitivity to sweets
|
| • |
Pain, especially when biting
|
| • |
Swelling
|
| • |
Bad taste in the mouth |
A root canal procedure includes cleaning out the infected pulp, disinfecting the canals and filling the void with a rubber-like substance. A crown is recommended after a root canal to restore the tooth shape and to strengthen the tooth structure.
|
|
