Only 10% of adults have never had a cavity.
Unless you're in that lucky 10%, you might need a dental filling at some point in your life. It’s seemingly a simple fix to plug the cavity with a filling, but to us, it’s so much more. At Fox Point Dental, we do everything we possibly can to restore your teeth to their natural state for as long as possible. To us, that's what restorative dental care is all about.
Take a look below at the types of dental restorations we provide at our Lakewood, CO dental clinic. Be sure to check out the helpful articles and resources for each one, too! If you have a cavity, jaw pain, painful tooth, or missing teeth, let's work out a restorative dental treatment plan that works for you! Schedule an appointment with us today!
Common Restorative Dental Procedures
Dental Crowns and Caps
Like a hat for your tooth, a tooth colored crown prevents a tooth from breaking down Implant restoring - if you’ve lost a tooth, an implant as a restorative dental treatment can help restore your smile and chewing ability. Interested in learning more about crowns and our dental restorative services? Read this article:
Dental Bridges
An excellent alternative to a dental implant for replacing a missing tooth, a bridge can give you your chewing ability back while still looking natural. It's one of many dental restorative procedures to help you feel confident in your smile. For more information about bridges, read this article:
Dentures (full and partial)
Missing multiple teeth? A well-made denture or partial denture is used to give you the ability to speak, smile, and chew again. If you'd like to learn more about dentures and our restorative dental care services, see the following resources:
TMJ Therapy
Jaw or TMJ pain can be debilitating. There are many options to get you feeling better, including TMJ splints and repositioning the jaw. For more information about TMJ, check out the following resources:
Teeth Grinding
We can make you a night guard to help you with your grinding, but we can also talk to you about the root cause of why you may be doing it to help stop it completely. For additional information about teeth grinding, see the following resources:
Root Canals
If you have an infected tooth or a toothache, a root canal as a basic dental restorative procedure can be used to save the tooth and get you out of pain. To learn more about root canals, see these resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
Restorative dentistry refers to any treatment that helps restore a tooth to its original condition (or as close as possible to it). Most Lakewood, CO dentists offer three levels of restorative dental care, including:
- Preventative and diagnostic dental care
- Basic restorative dental care
- Major restorative dental care
The level of restorative dentistry depends on a variety of factors, but primarily on the severity of the tooth decay. For example, if you have a cavity, a basic restorative dental care repair such as a filling should help. Or, if the root of your tooth is in jeopardy, a root canal may be in order. Your Lakewood dentist will determine which treatment is best for your situation.
A dental crown, cap or bridge is the most common treatment to fix broken teeth. However, depending on the severity of the broken tooth and how much of the natural tooth remains, we may recommend another restorative dentistry procedure. If you have a broken tooth (or teeth), it's best to schedule an appointment so we can assess your unique situation.
When dentists refer to filling a cavity, they typically see it as a quick fix or a way to plug a cavity hole. However, at Fox Point Dental, don’t just fill cavities. We restore teeth. We truly care about the longevity of your teeth, and we want to do everything we possibly can to restore your teeth to their natural state. That’s why we see every cavity filling as an opportunity to return your affected tooth to its original condition as much as possible for as long as possible. Learn more about tooth restorations vs. fillings here.
Basic restorative care primarily refers to dental fillings. When we refer to a filling, we usually think of it as a way to cover your cavity. Basically, the cavity leaves behind a hole in your tooth. The filling (we prefer the term restoration) will not only just fill the hole, but restore it to its previous state. This includes the color, function, and shape of the tooth. A tooth restoration should provide a long-term, affordable solution to cavity holes. Generally, dentists can achieve this using a high-quality filling material that is biocompatible and the same color as your teeth. If you take care of cavities quickly, it prevents major tooth damage and decay. If you think you need a filling, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.
Unfortunately fillings won't last forever (although some fortunate folks, they do!). The lifespan of your filling depends on a lot of things, such as your eating habits, dental hygiene practices, and lifestyle habits (like whether or not you grind your teeth). It also depends on the type of filling you receive.
At Fox Point, we use composite resin, glass ionomer, porcelain, zirconia, and gold fillings, rather than traditional amalgam fillings (which harm more than help). We choose to be “mercury-free” because it is a safe and reliable option for your dental care.
Ready to schedule an appointment for general dentistry services in Lakewood, CO?
Dental cleanings (prophylaxis)
Normally recommended every six months, This professional service reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives our team an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention.
Oral cancer screening
We look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. The goal of oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.
Digital cavity detecting radiology
Low radiation option to look for areas of decay or pre-decay in between your teeth.
Fillings
Tooth colored, mercury-free material is used to repair areas where tooth decay or wear have caused cavities.
Fluoride strengthening treatments
Naturally occuring fluoride can be used to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent weakened areas from turning to cavities. Sometimes it can even reverse cavities!
Periodontal treatments
Periodontal disease is bad for your entire health! Treating it every three to four months can help with chronic health issues.
Sealants
Protective tooth colored layer over deep grooves can help to prevent cavities when teeth first erupt in the mouth by sealing out plaque and bacteria.
Tooth extractions
Gentle removal of a tooth that cannot be samed, a tooth extraction can get you out of pain or prevent infection.
Tongue-tie procedures
A tongue-tie can impact feeding, speaking, sleeping, chronic pain, and a whole host of other issues!
