Tooth fillings are needed when there is decay of the tooth surface, eventually causing a cavity, or hole in the tooth. This is one of the most common dental problems, and fortunately one of the easiest to address if done on time. There are several different symptoms that may indicate a cavity.
Composite fillings are an alternative to the traditional amalgam (silver) or gold fillings. They are made of a modern composite material and are coloured to match the natural colour of your teeth, rather than the traditional metal colours. They are suitable for repairing both the front and the back teeth.
After preparing the tooth, we will place layers of the composite filling into the area to be repaired. Each layer of the composite material will be hardened by exposure to a special light.
Once the cavity or defect is filled, we will trim the composite to match the tooth and then polish it to reduce discolouration or staining.
Composite fillings definitely look more natural, but may not be appropriate for some cavities.
Wisdom teeth (also called “third molars”) are usually the last teeth to come through the gums when people are in their late teens, twenties or even older. Most people have four wisdom teeth, some people have none.
Often there is not enough space at the rear of the jaws for wisdom teeth to come easily through the gums, and the wisdom tooth will become wedged in or “impacted”. Some impacted wisdom teeth remain in place and cause no trouble. However, other impacted wisdom teeth may cause severe problems and need to be removed.
If one (or more) of your wisdom teeth cause problems, your dentist may recommend that it be removed. Removal of a wisdom tooth is a very common procedure. Removal of troublesome wisdom teeth should usually be done as soon as possible before the problems get worse.
If your wisdom teeth are likely to be difficult to remove due to their shape and position and the shape of the jaws, we may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to remove the teeth.
Cracked, chipped, fractured, and split tooth describes a variety of conditions when the integrity of the tooth surface is compromised. Many fractures are obvious, such as when you chip your tooth in a sports injury or fall, or if you crack your tooth biting on a really hard piece of food. But many others may develop slowly over time, sometimes as a side effect of teeth weakened in previous dental procedures.
As with all dental conditions, it is very important that you visit us as soon as you have any symptoms of dental problems, so that the crack does not progress or cause an infection. If treated early, many cracked or chipped teeth can be repaired and saved, sometimes strengthened by a crown.
In many situations we will need to take a diagnostic X-ray after which we can recommend a personalized repair procedure, or in some cases a removal, if your tooth is beyond repair.
There is a great range of treatments for cracked or chipped teeth, so please contact us for a personalized consultation as soon as possible.
The goal of root canal treatment (also called “endodontic” treatment) is to save a tooth that has been badly damaged due to decay, infection, disease or injury. Many millions of teeth each year are saved from extraction by having root canal treatment. During the root canal therapy the soft tissue (pulp) inside the tooth (the root canal) is removed, then the area is completely cleaned and the tooth is sealed.
Most people prefer to save their tooth because generally it will function better than any artificial tooth. Your own tooth is usually stronger and more efficient for biting and chewing, and cleaning and maintenance of a natural tooth is much easier.
Additionally, removing a tooth often leads to more problems with biting, chewing and oral health. For example, nearby teeth can move out of their normal position and tilt into the space left by a missing tooth. This can affect chewing and biting, and can lead to further decay and gum disease around the tilted teeth.
Root canal treatment is extremely effective in most cases. If you take good care of the treated tooth, it should last for a lifetime. Root canal treatment may not be appropriate in some cases, and extraction may be the best, or only, option. We will not treat your tooth unless the treatment is likely to succeed. Root canals on the front teeth (incisors) take less time than on the back teeth (molars).
The root canal treatment may take two visits, and depending on the extent of the damage to the tooth, further restoration work, such as a crown, may be needed.
Inlays are fillings that were traditionally made of gold but now are often made of porcelain, ceramic or composite material. They are used to repair moderately damaged back teeth and need to be extremely strong to withstand the grinding pressures of these teeth. Inlays are glued into place and are contained within the cusp tips of the tooth. A special dental cement is used to increase the strength of the bond.
Onlays are made of the same materials as inlays, but are a more extensive repair that covers the tooth cusps. An onlay is much stronger than any other type of filling and actually increases the strength of the tooth.
The fitting of inlays and onlays usually requires two dental visits. The first visit involves removing the old filling or the decayed area and preparing the surface for the new filling. An impression is made of the area and sent to the dental laboratory so the inlay or onlay can be constructed. A temporary cover or filling is applied until the next visit.
At the second visit, the temporary cover or filling is removed and the new inlay or onlay is fitted. Your dentist will check your bite, bond it into place with a powerful dental cement and then polish the new surface.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth, to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance. A dental crown may be needed in these situations:
Crown usually requires two visits. First to prepare and shape the tooth to make room for the crown and make an impression, and another one to fit the crown made in a dental lab. You may be wearing a temporary crown in the meantime. There are several materials available to make a crown. Talk to us which is best for you.
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the anchoring teeth on either side of the gap (called abutment teeth), and a false tooth/teeth in between (called pontics). Just like crowns they can be made from various materials and require two or more visits. Bridges are used to restore your smile, the ability to bite and chew, to maintain the shape of your face, and sometimes to restore your speech and pronunciation.
Often a dental implant is more effective and durable in restoring the missing tooth. Talk to us which procedure is right for you.
