At Lady Bird Dental, we understand that your smile is important to you. That’s why we offer a wide range of restorative dentistry services to help repair your smile following any damage. In a perfect world, we could all avoid cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. But the reality is that many of us will experience some form of damage to our teeth or gums at some point in our lives.
When that happens, it’s important to have a dental team you can trust to help restore your smile. If you have suffered dental decay or even lost a tooth, our services can effectively restore your smile to its former appearance, function, and health. Problems don’t have to be permanent, but our solutions will be!
Fillings
Fillings are one of the most common restorative dental procedures, as they aim to treat teeth in the earliest developments of tooth decay. The decayed area of the tooth is carefully removed and then filled with a composite resin material. This not only fills the hole left by the decay, but also prevents the decay from progressing further into the tooth. Composite fillings are a popular choice as they can be color-matched to your existing teeth, meaning they are virtually invisible.
Crowns
A dental crown is a “cap” that is placed over a damaged tooth in order to preserve it following extensive damage or decay. Usually placed following root canal treatment, the crown offers numerous advantages, as it can:
- Restore a tooth to its original shape and size
- Protect a weakened tooth from further damage
- Strengthen a tooth following root canal treatment
At our office, we have an on-site dental lab where we can quickly create your custom crown. In most offices, creating and receiving the crown can take up to two weeks, but at Lady Bird Dental, we can often have your crown ready in as little as one day. The process from creation to placement is as follows:
- First, we contour the tooth and shape it to fit a dental crown.
- Then, we take a digital impression of your prepared tooth using an intraoral scanner.
- The model created by this scan is sent to our on-site dental lab, where your custom crown is created.
- Once the crown is ready, we’ll place it over your tooth and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable and natural fit.
Bridges
A dental bridge is used to “bridge the gap” left behind by one or more missing teeth in a sequence. The bridge is made up of two dental crowns, which are placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap (known as the abutment teeth), and a false tooth/teeth (or pontic) in between. This pontic effectively fills the gap, giving you a full and natural-looking smile.
Dental bridges offer numerous benefits, as they can:
- Restore your smile following tooth loss
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of place
- Restore your ability to chew and speak properly
Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances that are commonly used to restore missing teeth. They are available in both full and partial options, depending on the extent of your tooth loss.
- Full dentures are typically used when all of the teeth in an arch (upper or lower) are missing. The appliance consists of false teeth set in a pink polymer base, which is made to match the color and contours of your gums. The appliance relies on adhesive and suction to remain in place and can allow patients to eat, speak, and smile in confidence.
- Partial dentures are used when only some of the teeth in an arch are missing. The appliance consists of false teeth set in a metal or pink acrylic base. The appliance is supported by metal clasps that attach to your existing teeth. The partial appliance can restore gaps left by missing teeth and restore functional abilities and appearance.
We understand that choosing to have dental work can be a big decision. That’s why we take the time to listen to your concerns and answer all of your questions. We want you to feel confident and comfortable with your treatment from start to finish. Reach out to our Austin, TX team today and inquire about our restorative dentistry services!
