Restorative

Thanks to advances in modern dental materials and techniques, dentists have many more options for our patients to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles. To know which treatment is the choice for you, below is an explanation of the most common restorations we provide here at Silvestri & Comfort Family Dentistry. The ultimate decision about what to choose is best determined by the patient after discussing your options with the doctor.

White/Composite Fillings: made of tooth-colored composite resin material, composite fillings can restore the teeth’s natural beauty. Composite fillings can be matched very closely to your natural tooth color and are virtually indistinguishable from non-restored teeth. These fillings are excellent options for front teeth, and may even be suggested for selected areas on back teeth as well. The composite material we use has proven to be extremely durable and stain resistant with proper home care.  

Air Abrasion: a drill-less technique that removes decay from the tooth surface, making some procedures less invasive and faster for the patient than conventional treatment. Typically, no anesthesia is required for this procedure. During air abrasion, a fine stream of sand-like material is released under high pressure aimed directly at the decayed portion of the tooth. The particles of sand and decay are suctioned away to then allow the placement of a composite filling. Air abrasion is best suited for removing small cavities that form early on the surfaces of teeth. 

Amalgam Fillings: amalgam fillings are safe, durable, highly resistant to wear and easy to work with which is why it still remains a valued treatment option for teeth in the back, preferably the molars.  

Crowns: a crown is a restoration that covers the whole tooth in order to strengthen it as well as restore it to its natural shape and size. Crowns can be fabricated with a porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-porcelain, or gold alloy. A few reasons why a crown is placed are to support a large filling with little tooth structure remaining, to restore a fractured tooth, or to restore a tooth treated with root canal therapy. We only use materials for crowns that provide the longest lasting benefits to our patients.  

CEREC: the fabrication of a highly durable ceramic dental restoration all in one office visit thanks to the superior technology of CAD cam equipment.  

Bridges: a fixed bridge is used to replace missing teeth. A bridge helps to create a normal bite and to prevent the drifting and tilting of adjacent teeth. Bridges are composed of abutments and pontics. The abutments on a bridge are the crowns that are placed on the sound teeth on both sides of the space (from the missing teeth) and the pontics are the artificial teeth/crowns that are attached to the framework that fill in the space. Bridgework consists of a few appointments spaced accordingly for the doctor and dental lab to create a functional and natural looking bridge for you. Once the bridge is completed, it is cemented in for a permanent solution to replace your missing teeth. 

Dental Implants: dental implants replace teeth that have been missing congenitally since birth, or have been lost due to gum disease, infection, trauma or decay. Dental implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth because they are made of titanium metal that is highly compatible with the jawbone. As a result of the compatibility, it allows for a successful restoration to then be fabricated to create an exceptional result.