Restorative Dentistry & Fillings
Confidence That Lasts a Lifetime
What is
Restorative Care
Restorative care covers anything from a single tooth colored filling to complex full mouth rehabilitation. Crowns, bridges, fillings, veneers, and much more are all considered restorative dentistry. Dr Vinson has the highest training and most experience to help you achieve your goals and will work with you to evaluate the health of your teeth, bone and gums, as well as your occlusion (your bite).
What to expect during
A Restorative Procedure
The process of a dental filling typically takes around 60 minutes and can be completed in a single visit. A crown appointment typically takes a little longer and 2 visits are required.
Then, Dr. Vinson will begin the treatment by removing any decayed tooth structure. After the tooth has been prepared, it will be cleaned and sanitized.
For a filling, Dr. Vinson will apply tooth-colored dental resin directly to the cleaned tooth structure, rebuilding your tooth structure layer-by-layer. For a crown, Dr Vinson will rebuild any lost tooth structure with a resin foundation material, and then use an intraoral scanner to scan the tooth and send to the lab for a new crown. At your second visit, Dr Vinson will adjust and seat your newly made crown.
Finally, your bite will be checked to make sure everything fits perfectly, and any final adjustments will be made. Then, your new tooth will be buffed and polished, and you’ll be sent home.
What Is
a Cavity?
A cavity, also known as tooth decay, is a damaged portion of your tooth that eventually forms a hole in your enamel. Cavities are caused by acid attacks and enamel erosion. To understand how a cavity forms, you need to know what produces acids in your mouth and why this is a problem for your tooth enamel.
You have bacteria in your mouth at all times and this bacteria feeds off of left behind food particles in the mouth. When you eat something, this bacteria feeds off of sugars and transforms them into acids.
The problem with that is that these produced acids attack your tooth enamel, causing erosion. Over time, with repeated acid attacks and a weakened enamel, a hole is formed in your tooth from tooth decay.
To prevent this, you should limit the amount of sugar you consume in your diet, limit how often you snack throughout the day, stay hydrated, and practice good oral hygiene. A good oral hygiene routine is to brush your teeth twice a day for 2 to 3 minutes with fluoride toothpaste (including your tongue) and floss once a day. It’s also important to get a dental cleaning every 6 months to remove plaque buildup.
What happens if
I Don't Get a Cavity Filled?
You may think that you can get away without getting a cavity filled if you just take great care of your mouth. After all, it can’t get worse if you’re brushing or flossing, right?
Well, not quite. The unfortunate truth is that even minor tooth decay tends to lead to further decay. If you leave your cavity untreated, it will probably get worse. Your tooth could even become infected, which may require you to get root canal therapy to treat it and prevent you from losing your tooth completely.
This is because even a small cavity creates lots of opportunities for oral bacteria. Food can get stuck in the cavity more easily, which means bacteria will have more food to eat. Then, as they eat the sugar and starch particles in the food, they will excrete acid that will make the cavity worse.
And since this acid is going to collect in your existing cavity, it’s harder to clean that acid away when you brush and floss, and this will make your cavity worse over time, even if you’re doing a great job of brushing and flossing.
So if you think you have a cavity, you need a filling. Removing and replacing the damaged tooth enamel is the best way to stop the progression of decay, preserve your tooth, and get peace of mind.
Do you have
Questions?
Not sure if you need a filling? Got more questions about the process? Want to schedule an appointment? Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant is here to help. Give us a call at (843) 936-1690 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Candice Vinson.
Before & Afters
Frequently Asked Questions for All-on-X
How are they different from dentures?
All-on-X dental implants are permanent screwed in prosthetics that are brushed and cleaned like natural teeth, do not have to be taken out, do not need adhesives, are comfortable because they do not press down on your gums, allow you to experience the hot and cold of your food, as well as the taste, allow you to bite with increased force (up to 70% more), so you can eat all of your favorite foods again, prevent bone deterioration and restore your facial features.
Will my results look natural?
Absolutely. This technique gives you permanent teeth that look, feel and function just like real prosthetics. No one will know you have implants unless you tell them. Many of our photos on the website are of natural looking smiles restored with the All-on-X procedure. Visit our before and after page to read stories from real patients who have received dental implant treatment.
What is the success rate of dental implants with this type of procedure?
Published studies show a 98% success rate using All-on-X dental implants. It is very important to keep up with regular hygiene visits to keep the area around the implants clean and disease free. Also, smoking is a major factor in the failure of all dental implants.
When do I get permanent teeth after implants are placed?
As with any surgery, you need time to heal. A temporary set of teeth will be placed on your implants at the time of surgery. Adjustments by Dr Vinson will be made during the healing process, which can take 3-6 months. Once the healing process is complete, your permanent prosthetic will be placed after a series of visits with Dr Vinson to finalize your smile.
What if I just need implants on my bottom arch?
This procedure can be placed on just the upper or lower arch. Dr Vinson will evaluate your specific circumstance and determine if you would benefit from both upper and lower arch surgery, or if you are a candidate for a single arch replacement. This service will be tailored to your individual needs.
What type of cleaning is required after an implant is placed?
Dental implants should be treated like your natural teeth with daily brushing and water-flossing. Our dental hygienists will review oral hygiene instructions with you and will recommend the most appropriate oral hygiene schedule that fits your needs. Implants can’t get cavities, but they can get bone disease, which is why a regular hygiene schedule should be maintained.
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