Treatment at
Art of Dentistry
Includes:
Cleanings
Cleaning is a treatment done usually by a dental hygienist. The hygienist removes stains, plaque and tartar from teeth and finishes with a polishing.
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Fillings
Fillings are made up of amalgams (silver) or composites (white fillings). After the decay has been removed from a tooth, the dentist will place the filling into the tooth, harden it and adjust it to your bite.
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Extractions
Extraction is the process of removing teeth. Teeth need to be removed because they are causing pain, swelling, infection, cavities or gum disease. Extractions are usually performed in cases of impacted wisdom teeth, which cause crowding and misalignment of other teeth.
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Crowns
Crowns are made from a variety of materials that strengthen and protect the tooth structure. There are three types of crowns: a full-porcelain crown, a porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown. Your dentist will discuss and help you decide which type of crown is suitable for you. Crowns are suggested for the following reasons:
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Severe damage from decay
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A filled tooth can no longer support the filling
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Root Canal - after a root canal, the tooth becomes brittle and requires the protection of a crown
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Bridges - when teeth are replaced by a bridge, the adjacent teeth need crowns in order to support the bridge.
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Bridges
Bridges are fixed or removable artificial teeth spanning a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth adjacent to the area of missing teeth will be prepared for crowns in order to support the bridge.
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Dentures-Full & Partial
Dentures are artificial and removable replacements for missing teeth. They are made of acrylic resin. Complete dentures replace all teeth and are custom fitted for each individual, while partial dentures are fitted with clasps to replace a section of missing teeth. With dentures, patients improve their chewing and speech. Dentures also provide support for facial muscles.
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Implants
Implants replace a missing tooth permanently. A titanium post is surgically implanted into the jawbone. The post will fuse with the jawbone and after a three to six month healing period, an artificial tooth is screwed to the post.
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Bleaching
Bleaching is a treatment that discolors teeth. There are two methods of bleaching teeth: at-home or in-office treatments. Under their dentist's supervision, the at-home treatment requires patients to place a bleaching agent in their custom fitted tooth tray. Patients are required to wear the tray nightly for 2-3 weeks. However, the in-office treatments take approximately 1 hour. The results are immediate. The dentist will cover your gums and apply a bleaching solution to the teeth. A light is then applied to the teeth in order to activate the solution and discolor teeth.
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Braces
Braces align the teeth and jaws to improve dental health. Orthodontic treatment corrects problems such as overbites, underbites, crooked or crowded teeth, and uneven jaw alignment. Braces come in three different types: metal, ceramic (clear) or lingual (brackets attached to the back of the teeth). Dentists generally suggest braces in order to improve a patient's physical appearance.
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Root Canals
Root canal treatment is performed when a tooth's pulp (nerve and blood supply) become infected or inflamed. With local anesthesia, the tooth is opened and the pulp and bacteria are removed, leaving an empty pulp chamber. The chamber is filled with a sealant and a filling. The tooth may require additional protection and reinforcement with a crown.
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