Restore Your Smile with Restorative Dentistry at Agate Dental

Are you missing teeth? Don't worry; we have a solution for you.

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Dentures are removable dental appliances that are custom-made to replace missing teeth. Whether you've lost all your teeth or only a few, dentures can help you regain your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Our skilled dental professionals at Agate Dental offer two main types of dentures:

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• Complete Dentures: These are used when all teeth are missing in either the upper or lower arch. Complete dentures rest on the gums and are held in place by suction or adhesive.

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• Partial Dentures: If you have some natural teeth remaining, partial dentures are the solution. These dentures are designed to fill in the gaps created by missing teeth and are attached to your remaining teeth for stability.

These procedures are commonly used to repair teeth affected by cavities or minor damage. Dental fillings involve removing decayed material and filling the cavity with a restorative material, such as composite resin or amalgam. Bonding, on the other hand, uses tooth-colored resin to repair chips, cracks, or gaps and improve the overall appearance of teeth.

Dental bridges are often used to replace a missing tooth (or even several teeth in a row). A dental bridge involves two dental crowns, which are placed on two healthy teeth on opposite sides of the gap. There is also the pontic, which is the artificial tooth used to replace the missing tooth. Many dental bridges also contain a metal bar to give the restoration additional strength and rigidity.

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According to a recent retrospective study looking at 229 patients, 91% of dental bridges lasted at least five years. 68% of dental bridges lasted 10 years, and 34% of dental bridges lasted through 15 years. What the study also demonstrates is that the longer the span of the bridge, the more susceptible the restoration is to failure. In addition to the length of the bridge, there are a number of factors that can affect the longevity of a dental bridge, such as where it is placed and how well you maintain your oral health.

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If you are considering dental bridges, we would be happy to discuss your options and make recommendations during an in-person consultation.

Currently, dental implants are considered the best option in the replacement of missing teeth. Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jaw bone and actually fuse with the bone material to deliver exceptional strength and stability. After a healing period of several months, the dental implant is fitted with a restoration such as a dental crown to restore the function and appearance of the original tooth. 

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Dental implant treatments can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even a full arch of teeth.

Dental crowns are recommended in cases where a tooth is compromised. Some common examples of indications where a dental crown may be recommended include:

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• Strengthening a tooth after root canal therapy

• Restoring a fractured or chipped tooth

• Cosmetically correcting an irreversibly stained tooth

• Restoring a tooth after extensive decay

When a cavity is too large to be treated with a filling but not quite extensive to warrant a full dental crown, an onlay or inlay may be recommended. Inlays and onlays are crafted on a case-by-case basis to correct the tooth defect. 

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While they may go by different names, the purpose is essentially the same. Inlays are applied to areas between the cusps of the teeth, while onlays are used to correct at least one cusp defect.