Restorative Dentistry
Repair, Replace & Rejuvenate Teeth
Restorative dentistry fixes the broken, replaces the absent and strengthens the weak. Our goal is always to save as much of your sound natural tooth structure as we can. The tooth-colored fillings, crowns, and dental implants are custom-fit, shade-matched, and more natural-looking than you may have ever imagined. Contact our restorative dentist clinic in Victoria, Texas today!
Crowns & Bridges
A dental crown is a tooth shaped cap that is placed over a tooth to restore the shape and function of a tooth. We make them here in the office with our CEREC® 3D crown milling technology. A bridge is basically just more than one crown at either end of a missing tooth space. Dental bridges can be made to replace one or many teeth in a row. The dental bridges are cemented in place just like a crown and do not come out. Dental bridges are an alternative to dental implants for replacing missing teeth.
CEREC® Technology
A clear alternative to braces
We have CEREC technology that allows us to fabricate high strength porcelain crowns and bridges in our office in one visit so that our patients do not have to come back for a second visit. Read more about how CEREC reduces the number of appointments and increases convenience for our patients.
Sometimes a filling is not strong enough to restore a tooth or to prevent further damage to a tooth. When this is the case, a dental crown, inlay or onlay is recommended. We can explain which kind would be the best option for your particular needs.
Dentures & Partials
As most people already know, dentures and partial dentures are made when several or all of the teeth are missing. Dentures and partial dentures can be made with different materials for needed strength, comfort and esthetics depending on the needs of each patient. When a patient needs teeth extracted for partial dentures or complete dentures, we are able to fabricate the dentures ahead of time so that immediately after the teeth are extracted the patient can leave the office with the dentures in place and is never in public without teeth. The denture and the extraction procedures are all conveniently coordinated here in our Victoria, TX dentist office.
How are dentures held in place?
Dentures are primarily held in place by the degree of suction that the individual patient’s mouth allows. Generally speaking, the larger the edentulous bony ridge where the teeth used to be, the greater the suction and stability of the dentures. In some cases though, there may be a less than ideal shape of the jaws which does not allow adequate suction to hold the denture in place. In these instances, we recommend dental implants that snap into the denture in order to hold the denture in place. This can be done in many cases with an already existing denture with minimal modifications to create an implant retained denture to improve stability and retention.
Problems with existing denture fit
Over time, even the best denture will become loose and eventually have wear on the teeth. The bone and gums under the dentures will have a tendency to change and shrink over time. This will cause dentures to become loose and can cause sores or ulcers to develop under the denture. This is easy to correct with a denture reline.
If the denture teeth are not too worn and the denture is loose then the remedy is to do a reline of the denture. The denture reline is a new liner that is bonded inside of the existing denture. It is an exact mold of the shape of the patient’s jaw and gum tissue, which can greatly improve the fit of an older denture.
If denture teeth are broken or worn, they can be repaired or replaced in many cases. We would just need to evaluate the denture to see if that is the best option. We can then repair the denture as needed.
Another problem that many patients have now with dentures is dry mouth. Dry mouth is often a byproduct of prescription medications and sometimes radiation treatments. When the mouth is dry, it can make the gum tissue under the denture irritated and more prone to ulcers. Asking the physician if there is an alternative medicine that does not cause dry mouth is the easiest fix. There are now healthier options for mouth rinses without alcohol or cause staining that can help alleviate dry mouth symptoms along with other tips from our doctors.
Implant Denture Palate Free
Implant Supported Dentures
This can be either fixed in place and does not come out or can be made to be removable as well when the patient wants it to come out for cleaning. More implants are used so that the plastic edges and plastic in the roof of the mouth of traditional dentures are not needed for suction, further increasing comfort and natural function. Dental implants can also be used to stabilize existing dentures or to support a beautiful new set. The top of the implant has an attachment that snaps into the denture, which greatly improves the stability of the denture, allowing patients to talk and chew much more efficiently and without worry. To learn more about implant-supported dentures, please visit our implant-supported dentures page. If you would like to schedule a consultation for implant-supported dentures, please contact us today!
Implant Dentures Snap onto the implants and hold the dentures in place until the patient is ready to remove them.
Dental Implants
The best option for tooth replacement is a dental implant restoring the function and look of a natural tooth. We offer implant placement and restoration right here in our Victoria Texas office. Dental implants are now preferred over bridges because the surrounding teeth are not compromised and the bone is retained. The dental implants are individual units and the long term success is not dependent on the health of adjacent teeth. We have in-office sedation options available for your comfort and convenience, with no need to travel outside the Crossroads area to get a secure new smile!
What happens if you don’t replace missing teeth?
- Teeth can shift, causing detrimental changes to your bite.
- TMJ problems can develop from bite changes.
- Uneven and excessive tooth wear can result from irregular bite changes.
- Bone loss from missing teeth can complicate the fit of dentures and partials and eliminate dental implants as a potential tooth replacement.
What are dental implants?
When teeth are missing, there are several options available to replace them. A removable partial denture, a complete denture, or a fixed dental bridge have been standard choices to replace absent teeth for many years. However, dental implants have become the gold standard for permanent tooth replacement today and are the most popular choice by dentists and patients alike.
What is the dental implant made of?
The dental implant is made of biocompatible titanium and creates an artificial tooth root where the natural root used to be. Once an implant is placed and incorporated into the jaw bone, we cement a customized, color-matched porcelain crown to the post. It looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. You care for implants like a natural tooth, and it brings back your ability to chew, laugh, and smile without worry. With good care your implant restoration should last for a lifetime!
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings are a great way to repair damaged or decayed teeth without sacrificing the aesthetic of your smile. They are made from composite resin, a material that is strong and durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear, but matches the natural color of the teeth so seamlessly, it looks as if nothing has been done at all. The procedure for getting tooth-colored fillings is non-invasive, requiring no removal of healthy tooth structure. The result is a beautiful restoration that functions as well as it looks!
We do not use Silver Amalgam Fillings
We are a mercury-free dental practice and do not use any amalgam for our fillings. We believe that by using bonded tooth-colored fillings, we are providing the best filling restoration for the tooth. Dental amalgam is typically 50% mercury by weight and we prefer not to expose anyone to that. When removing amalgam, we use an intraoral and extraoral evacuation system, and/ or a rubber dam to capture any amalgam and its aerosolized vapor. We can also follow a SMART protocol for patients looking to remove amalgam fillings in the safest way possible.
Health Focused Dentistry and Orthodontics
We specialize in restorative dentistry to repair, replace, and reinforce teeth. Our custom-fit tooth-colored fillings, crowns, and implants look natural and preserve your tooth structure. Get top-quality care for a healthy, beautiful smile.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Full mouth dental reconstruction is a procedure that involves restoring most or all of the teeth in the mouth. It includes everything from replacing missing teeth and filling cavities, to reshaping damaged or worn teeth with crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, or filling restorations. Full mouth dental reconstruction can significantly improve the patient’s bite and more attractive smile by replacing missing teeth and restoring damaged ones. It is tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences in order to achieve the best aesthetic and functional outcome possible.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way to reduce fear, anxiety and discomfort during dental treatments. It allows patients to remain relaxed and calm throughout the entire procedure. Sedation can be administered via oral medication, inhalation or intravenous injection. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the most commonly used form of sedation in dentistry as it is safe, convenient and cost-effective. During oral sedation, patients typically experience decreased awareness and relaxation, but remain conscious and able to respond to verbal commands. Inhalation sedation utilizes nitrous oxide to relax the patient while intravenous sedation provides more intense levels of relaxation than either oral or inhalation sedation. With any form of sedation dentistry, monitoring of vital signs such as pulse rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels are carefully monitored in order to ensure patient safety.
