Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

A dental bridge is used for patients who have lost teeth due to gum disease, decay, or injury. Leaving gaps in your smile can cause your remaining teeth to shift, which results in an unsightly smile. It can also result in pain and discomfort. Dental bridges close the gap between one or more missing teeth. This restorative option looks like your natural teeth and is composed of a series of crowns anchored to healthy teeth or support by implants. It can be made from gold, porcelain, or an alloy metal.

Compared to silver/amalgam fillings, composite fillings are a more conservative restoration option. A filling is used to restore a tooth after a cavity has been removed. Composite materials are durable and can withstand the forces of chewing. In addition, it improves strength, stability, and color to your tooth. It also saves natural tooth structure and protects against broken teeth. We carefully match the composite material to your natural tooth color and structure to create a restoration that is virtually undetectable.

This type of dentistry provides patients with permanent tooth replacement options. Dental implants replace tooth roots and provide a stable foundation for replacement crowns, bridges, or dentures.

To ensure you receive the highest quality of care, we will complete a careful evaluation of your mouth and dental health, and refer you to a periodontist. This specialist is responsible for placing the implants. Once your posts are placed and the area has healed, Dr. Gildner will provide the restoration work (i.e. placing the crown, bridge, or denture).

For patients with strong bite forces, a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown may be recommended as a restoration option. A PFM crown provides metal reinforcement under the porcelain. This type of crown costs less than an all-ceramic or all-gold crown. These restorations are still highly aesthetic when performed by a quality ceramist.

For patients for whom occlusion, is a problem an all-gold crown may be recommended. The teeth in the back of the mouth can be very short and occasionally, there is not enough tooth structure to support a PFM crown. In order to be a successful restoration option, a porcelain crown needs to be a certain thickness. This ensures it is able to withstand bite force and resist fracturing. Gold provides a great restorative material because it is gentle on opposing teeth and typically does not irritate the gums.

Dr. Gildner will work with you to determine if you need a tooth extraction to improve your oral health. Tooth extractions may be performed if a tooth is severely decayed, has advanced periodontal disease, or is broken in a way that cannot be repaired. In addition, teeth may be removed because they are poorly positioned, or to aid in orthodontic treatment.

If a dental extraction is right for you, we will work with you to determine which restoration option best fits your dental health needs.

Endodontic therapy — a root canal — is necessary when a cavity has reached the pulp of a tooth, or if you have experienced severe trauma to a tooth. During this procedure, the interior of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and the infected pulp is removed. The canals of the tooth are sealed to prevent further bacterial infections. A root canal can save your tooth from further pain, infection, and removal. During the procedure, we will numb the area so you will not feel any pain or discomfort.

Veneers provide you with a permanent restoration option. Typically made out of porcelain or other tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to correct imperfections in your smile, such as gaps or spaces. These can also be utilized to to repair chips or give your teeth a straighter appearance. A veneer is bonded to your teeth using strong adhesives, feel like your natural teeth, and are stain-resistant.