Missing teeth can cause a number of serious problems such as the shifting of remaining teeth, or additional tooth loss. We can provide dental bridges at our office to restore the structure and function of your smile, and to renew your self-confidence. If you are interested in dental bridges or another of our restorative dentistry services, contact our office today.

Understanding the Procedure

Dental bridges are natural-looking porcelain restorations that are anchored either by a dental implant, or by the two adjacent teeth. Having dental bridges placed usually requires two office visits. During your first visit, the two anchor teeth will be gently filed down to make room for dental crowns. We will create a mold of those teeth as well as the gap, which will be used to create your permanent restorations. While we wait for your bridge and crowns to return from the laboratory, we will fit you with a temporary restoration to maintain the aesthetics of your smile.

We will invite you back to our office when your dental bridge is ready to be tried in. Your second appointment will involve a thorough check of the fit of the bridge to ensure a successful result. After a few weeks, we will schedule a follow-up appointment during which we will assess your gums and teeth and their adaptation to your new restoration.

Aesthetic Benefits

One of the greatest aesthetic benefits of dental bridges is the ability to improve the appearance of your entire smile with a single appliance. Missing teeth can make it difficult to laugh and smile with confidence, but dental bridges can give you the beautiful, complete smile you deserve.

Oral Health Benefits

Dental bridges can prevent your existing teeth from shifting out of place, as well as providing important balance and function in your smile. If you have a more involved medical history, dental bridges can be a great option as they do not usually require implantation surgery or extensive downtime.

Candidacy

Dental bridges may be right for you if you need to:

• Close the gaps left by missing teeth
• Prevent your teeth from drifting
• Restore the appearance of your smile
• Restore your ability to chew and speak normally
• Replace a partial denture with a more permanent solution

There are many different types of dental bridges, all of which will be discussed in detail during your consultation. We are dedicated to finding the most relevant treatment for your individual needs and will go to great lengths to educate you about your dental condition and treatment options.

Learn More about Dental Bridges

If you have decaying, damaged, or missing teeth that you want to replace with brand-new, white teeth, we have the solution for you. To schedule a consultation for dental bridges, contact our office.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a secure way to fill gaps and help restore your smile if you have missing or damaged teeth. A crown can also help you bite and chew better, which can positively impact other systems in your body, such as a your digestive system.

Martinez Family Dental offers a variety of handcrafted crown styles. We will will help you determine what crown is best for you based on your requirements.

What is a crown?

A crown is a cover or “cap” that is put on a tooth. The crown restores the tooth to its normal shape, size and function. The purpose of a crown is to make the tooth stronger or improve the way it looks.

You may need a crown if you:

• have a cavity that is too large for a filling
• have a missing tooth and need a bridge
• need to cover a dental implant
• have a tooth that is cracked, worn down or otherwise weakened
• have had root canal treatment—the crown will protect the restored tooth
• want to cover a discolored or badly shaped tooth and improve your smile!

What are inlays/overlays?

Inlays/onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or a composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay (which is similar to a filling) is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An overlay is a more substantial reconstruction (similar to the inlay), but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays/overlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth.

How are inlays/overlays applied?

The filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or overlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made. Then apply a temporary sealant on the tooth. The temporary sealant is later removed. The inlay/overlay is then tested to make sure it fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the inlay/overlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished for a smooth finish.

When A Tooth Can’t Be Fixed…

It needs to be removed. Your dentist may recommend extracting a tooth if:

• Your tooth is too damaged by a fracture or deep cavity to repair.
• You have a sizable infection that cannot be resolved by a root canal alone.
• You have teeth that are blocking other teeth from coming in. These may be extra teeth or baby teeth that have not fallen out yet.

Wisdom teeth, which typically come in during your teens or twenties, may need to be extracted if they are decayed, infected, or causing pain. They may get impacted—stuck underneath other teeth—which also requires extraction.

Types of Extraction

Most visible teeth can be removed with a simple extraction, where we loosen the tooth, then remove it carefully with forceps. This procedure typically requires just a local anesthetic (an injection).

A surgical extraction may be needed if:

• The tooth has broken off at the gum line.
• The tooth hasn’t come in yet (wisdom teeth, for example)
• The tooth has especially large or curved roots

Both procedures are virtually painless. You might feel pressure or pulling, but no pain.

Tip: Don’t smoke on the day of surgery, as it can increase the chance of dry socket, a painful condition that occurs when a blood clot doesn’t form in the hole, breaks off, or breaks down too early.

Post-Extraction Care

Directly after the extraction, you’ll be asked to keep gauze on the extraction site to help the blood clot. It’s important to protect this clot as the wound heals. Eat soft foods, and don’t smoke, use a straw or spit, as these actions can dislodge the clot.

Most people feel some discomfort after having a tooth extracted. You can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to help relieve the pain.

You can also use icepacks to decrease any swelling. If your jaw is still stiff after any swelling has subsided, try warm compresses.

In general, swelling and bleeding last only a day or two after the extraction, and any pain should go away after a few days.

Do You Clench Your Teeth?

Studies suggest that as much as 30% of the adult population grind or clench their teeth to some degree while sleeping. Not only is sleep lest restful this way, but this practice can have long-term harmful effects on teeth, gums, bones, and the TMJ (temporomandibular joint). The sooner that this practice is discovered and corrected, the more discomfort and damage may be eliminated.

What Is A Nightguard?

A simple device may be prescribed to reduce or eliminate grinding and clenching teeth at night. Stock mouth guards may be purchased in many places, but they are not usually as comfortable and effective as what we will create for you.

We will make an impression of your teeth. We will get a custom-fit guard molded just for you. This device will fit in your mouth while you sleep and provide a protection for your teeth and the soft tissue of your mouth. It will discourage you from grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep and help eliminate the side effects that come from this practice.

Swollen gums and a long-lasting toothache that just won’t go away may be signs that you have a badly decayed or infected tooth. If this describes your situation, you may need root canal treatment from Martinez Family Dental.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that’s performed when a tooth’s dental pulp becomes damaged or its nerve becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, a root canal dentist removes the nerve and pulp, enabling the inside of your tooth to be cleaned and sealed – eliminating the tooth infection and root canal pain altogether.

Are Root Canals Painful?

Contrary to popular belief, root canals are not painful. In fact, most people report that having a root canal is no more painful than simply getting a tooth filled. What’s more, the pain and discomfort from living with an infected tooth is typically far greater than the root canal procedure itself, which effectively removes the problem once and for all.

Root Canal Symptoms

It’s not always easy to know if you need a root canal procedure and sometimes no symptoms are present. However, some common signs that you may need a root canal include:

• Severe toothache pain when chewing or applying pressure
• Prolonged sensitivity or pain to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed)
• Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
• Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums
• Recurring or persistent pimple on the gums

If you notice any of the root canal symptoms above, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment for a dental examination as soon as possible. Through X-rays and other specialized tests, the dental experts at Martinez Family Dental can identify and relieve your tooth pain.

To determine if you need a root canal, please contact Martinez Family Dental to make an appointment.

When you have infected tissues surrounding your teeth, a common cause is gum disease. If left untreated in adults, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, and some studies even link severe gum disease (also called periodontal disease) with heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Gum disease is painless and can often go undiscovered; however, there are highly noticeable gum disease symptoms including:

• Tender, red or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed easily and regularly
• Gums that have receded from your teeth
• Visible white spots or plaque on your gums
• Mouth sores
• Loosening or separating teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste
• Noticeable change in your bite

If you have any of the gum disease warning signs above, we urge you to make a dentist appointment. Martinez Family Dental can diagnose and treat mild to severe gum disease with a variety of methods.

Fillings repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay or otherwise damaged surfaces of teeth. When treating a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and fill it with another substance — that’s why we call it a “filling”. There are multiple options for the material to be used in the filling, the most common of which are composite fillings and amalgam fillings.

Composite Fillings

A composite filling is also known as a tooth colored filling, since the material used in the filling can be closely matched to the color of your teeth. Composite fillings provide good durability for small to medium cavities. They are also particularly well suited for treating front or highly visible teeth because of their natural look. These fillings usually last about five years.

Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam fillings, also known as silver-colored fillings, are made from a combination of metals such as tin, copper, silver and mercury. This combination of metals gives amalgam its renowned strength and durability. These fillings usually last between 10 – 15 years compared to composite fillings. As an added benefit, amalgam fillings are typically more cost effective than composite white fillings.

For more detailed information on fillings, take look at this site.

 

Every day, patients of all ages experience the accumulation of plaque on their teeth. Plaque is a film-like substance filled with damaging bacteria. It can be easily cleaned away by simply brushing and flossing, but if it’s left in place too long, it can harden into tartar, which is not so easily removed. At Martinez Family Dental, a thorough cleaning with one of our hygienists will get rid of these dangerous areas, leaving your mouth feeling refreshed and your smile looking better than ever. They can also provide instructions for how to better care for your oral health at home. Please contact our office today if you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule an appointment!