Restorative

Crowns

Crowns (caps) look and function just like natural teeth. A crown may be recommended if your tooth has enough decay that it cannot hold a filling, or if your tooth is cracked or broken and in danger of fracturing into the root if left unattended. Placing a crown on a compromised tooth will restore its strength, and prevent unnecessary tooth loss and/or expense.

Crowns are most often made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of the two. Porcelain crowns typically are built on a metal base, which fits snugly over the natural tooth. Your dentist will choose a porcelain shade that matches the color of your natural teeth. Porcelain crowns usually are so carefully matched in color, they cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain crowns for the cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives them. New materials are now available that allow the use of "all-ceramic" crowns in some cases which gives them a beautiful life-like appearance.

Bridges

With the loss of one or more teeth, there may be more at stake than just your smile. Missing teeth may not only lower confidence, but they can also contribute to other dental problems. If missing teeth are not replaced, remaining teeth shift, and bone loss may occur. With so many options for patients with missing teeth, there's no reason to opt to just live with the gaps.

A fixed bridge (non-removable) can be an ideal option for replacing missing teeth. A fixed bridge looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth are missing. A fixed bridge, usually made of porcelain (with gold underneath,) is permanently placed between two healthy teeth. The bridge is held in place by porcelain crowns. A fixed bridge can help put a stop to the domino effect of the many problems associated with missing teeth.

Implants

Implants are the ideal and more desirable solution for tooth replacement. Basically an artificial replacement for tooth roots, dental implants are surgically placed anchors upon which crowns or dentures can then be installed. Made of titanium and other materials that are well suited to the human body, implants actually help to maintain jaw strength and health as they fuse with surrounding tissue.  Implants can be used in both upper and lower jaws and have been used successfully for several decades.

Dentures

If you are missing your natural teeth (upper, lower, or both), dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. Difficulty with eating and speaking are common problems associated with missing teeth.  Restoring your ability to chew is extremely important to your overall health. If you are unable to chew your food, you will not be able to properly digest your food, and proper digestion is critical to good health.

There are various types of dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient's mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. Dr. Marquez takes measurements and makes models of the patient's oral tissues and remaining teeth during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. Modern day dentures are made to look very natural, and function well.

Overdentures

For patients who need dentures, overdentures may be the best fit! Overdentures are designed to work in conjunction with a patient’s tooth roots or dental implants to achieve a fit and function similar to natural teeth.

Depending on the patient’s needs, there are two types of overdentures, bar joint overdentures and telescopic overdentures. Bar joints utilize connecting bars to help secure the denture and offer greater support than individual implants alone. Telescopic overdentures are used for patients whose bone density has been compromised due to age or oral disease.

Since dental implants actually strengthen jaw structure, overdentures help to prevent bone loss. They also help to improve speech, jaw alignment and chewing efficiency. An overdenture can restore 90 percent of a patient’s chewing power. Patients with overdentures are often happy with the more natural-feeling, solid fit of their dentures.

For more information about overdentures, please ask any of our helpful team members.

Precision Partials

It was long thought that removable partial dentures had to be rigid to be effective. Precision “claspless” partials offer greater flexibility, adapting to the constant movement in your mouth, yet providing a very secure, snug fit. The result is a comfortable partial that gives you confidence while talking, eating…and smiling!

Unlike traditional partials, precision partials are virtually invisible because there are no telltale metal clasps and the material itself blends with surrounding oral tissue. Additionally, while traditional partials can place stress on neighboring teeth over time, precision partials gently rotate on their attachments during chewing, resulting in less stress on remaining teeth.