ADVANCED PROCEDURES

CROWNS
Dental crowns or also know as "Caps" restore the function of damaged teeth. This full coverage restoration is placed when a tooth can no longer be restored with a filling due to excessive decay, worn out fillings, cracked and fractured teeth. It is also the best way to protect a tooth after Root Canal treatment.

It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown.  Decay is removed from the tooth and we build up the internal structure with a fluoride releasing core build up material. The tooth is then shaped to accept the crown. An impression is taken of the shaped tooth and you will leave our office with a temporary to protect the tooth while your crown is fabricated in a dental lab. Three weeks after your appointment it is time to deliver your crown. We will remove your temporary and permanently cement your crown completing you smile. Crowns can be made of a high -strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material or gold. 

IMPLANTS
A dental implant is a great option to replace a missing tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone by a oral surgeon and allowed to heal. During the healing process a temporary tooth can be placed to complete your smile. Once the implant is firmly integrated in the bone, Dr. Flint will restore the implant with a crown over two visits. At your first visit impressions are taken to sent to a dental lab, where a custom abutment and implant crown is fabricated. At your second visit we will deliver your implant abutment and crown to restore your smile. This is a great permanent solution that does not affect the surrounding teeth for support. It is important that missing teeth be replaced as soon as possible to prevent changes in the position of the surrounding teeth that can cause a chain reaction and the need  for additional treatment.

Implants can also be used as support as part of an implant bridge. This is a great alternative to partial dentures. There is no metal supports intruding into the mouth. Second, this slows the bone loss that can occur with missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. And, best of all, of course, they don't have to be taken out all the time.

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is used to save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected and abscessed. This occurs when cavities go undetected or a restoration is close to the nerve causing the nerve to become damaged. When this happens the tooth can not heal on its own. (Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early) Symptoms that the nerve has become infected may include sensitivity to hot, cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.

A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected nerve, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy.

BRIDGES
This is an option for replacing missing teeth. A bridge uses the surrounding teeth for support of the missing tooth. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics. Bridges can replace your missing tooth over two visits. At your first appointment the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth is shaped to receive the bridge. Depending on the condition of the adjacent teeth a build up may be needed to rebuild the internal portion of the tooth due to decay and missing tooth structure. Impressions of the shaped teeth to be sent to the dental lab where your bridge will be fabricated.  You will leave the office with a temporary bridge to protect the teeth and maintain the space of the missing teeth. At the second visit we will remove your temporary and permanently cement your bridge to complete your smile. It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible to prevent changes in the position of the surrounding teeth that can cause a chain reaction and the need for additional treatment.

DENTURES

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures available complete dentures and partial dentures. Complete dentures allows us to restore your smile when all teeth are missing.  Partial dentures allows us to replace missing when you have one or more remaining teeth. A metal framework is designed to hold the partial denture in place by using the remaining teeth as support. Dentures and partial take several appointments to complete. Denture appointments include: Impressions and bite records. We will try your dentistry in before process to ensure proper fit and cosmetics prior to final process in the dental lab. After your dentistry is delivered follow up adjustments may be needed as your tissues adjust to your new dentures.

Immediate dentures are also available to be placed immediately after all teeth are extracted. This involves several appointments before your teeth are extracted and your dentures are placed immediately following the extractions. Immediate denture do require more adjustments as your bone and tissue heals.