Most of the conditions that negatively affect your smile can be avoided with regular care. Your team at East Charlotte Dental is committed to answering your questions about proper hygiene and providing you with the most advanced preventive dentistry.
Fillings
When the decay has been taken out of the tooth, it is replaced with “filling” material. In the past, amalgam (silver) fillings were placed into the cleaned out portion of the tooth.
With advancements in dentistry, you can now have tooth-colored fillings instead of silver fillings, called cosmetic fillings. These fillings match the color of your tooth and make it look as if it has never been filled.
Teeth Cleaning
Regular teeth cleaning every six months is recommended to prevent the onset of gum disease. Ugly stains and tartar that affect your smile will be comfortably removed. If you notice bad breath, it could be due to a need for a thorough teeth cleaning.
Crowns and Bridges
When a tooth has broken or has been filled repeatedly, it may need a stronger restoration, called a crown, than a routine filling. The crown protects the entire tooth from breaking again. A crown that matches the color of your existing teeth or a gold crown is possible. You and your doctor will decide the best option for you.
If you have a missing tooth, a bridge can replace that empty space. Bridges are cemented in place, so they do not come out, and match the color of your existing teeth.
Tooth Extraction
Every effort is made to keep all your teeth, as it is always the best and preferred solution. In an instance where a tooth cannot be saved, it may be recommended to extract the tooth. If it is decided the tooth needs to be extracted, we will make sure the area is completely numb so you will not experience any pain. You’re comfort is our first concern.
NightGuard
Many individuals clinch or grind their teeth in their sleep, a condition called “bruxism.” Not only does this cause damage to teeth, but it can also lead to headaches, tension in the neck and shoulders and even snoring or difficulty breathing. To help solve this problem, we create a NightGuard. It is a flexible mouthpiece, customized by your dentist, which aligns your teeth and jaw so that your neck, facial and temporomandibular muscles can rest, protecting your teeth and jaw while you sleep.
Root Canal
Damage to the nerve tissue inside of a tooth sometimes requires a root canal procedure. Despite the tales you may have heard regarding the procedure, most root canals are minimally uncomfortable, especially compared to the pain and discomfort you may feel before the procedure. Your dentist at East Charlotte Dental will take advantage of today’s technological advances and dental techniques to make your root canal procedure fast and more effective.
A root canal involves removing the soft tissue within the tooth – the pulp – when it has become infected and inflamed. Your dentist gently files the infected tissue out of the root canals of the tooth (this is where the procedure gets its name) and fills the void with an inert material. The procedure is completed with the placement of a filling or in some cases, a crown.
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal dentistry refers to caring for the gum and bone structures that support your teeth. Without a healthy foundation, your ability to keep your teeth throughout your lifetime could be at risk. Ironically, this branch of dentistry is the least recognized, and despite its importance, many of us unknowingly neglect our gums. This can result in infection and disease without us even knowing about it.
We can ensure the health of your gums and supportive structures at East Charlotte Dental. Our advanced periodontal therapy programs will not only contribute to the restoration of your gums, but it will also help prevent future problems.
