Cosmetic Dentistry
Dr. Josephs’ cosmetic dentistry services will beautify your smile. Cosmetic services include:
General Restorative Dentistry
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings (tooth colored) are made up of resin, plastics and ceramics which are bonded to the tooth unlike their amalgam counterparts which are held in place mechanically. A great advantage of composite filling is that they don’t contain metal. Dentist is able to match the shade of the tooth very closely, thus the filling is much more esthetically pleasing. Various types of composites are used to restore decayed teeth, small fractures, alter the shape of a tooth, and close small spaces between teeth. We believe composites have made tremendous advancements and we no longer see the need to use amalgam/silver fillings at our office.
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal is a procedure to remove bacteria that has entered into the center chamber of your tooth, which can spread into the canals and out into the bone of the jaw. In this procedure, the canal spaces containing the infected nerve tissue are cleaned, disinfected, and filled.
Typically, the final step of a root canal treatment is to place a crown over the tooth. Although root canals can fail, usually, the procedure saves the tooth from extraction. With good dental care, a root canal treated tooth can be expected to last a long time.
Some root canals have very complicated root canal systems and as such they need specialized equipment to negotiate. In such cases, root canal specialists we have teamed up with are ready to provide their expertise in this area if needed. After root canal treatment, often times a crown is needed to cover the tooth in order to provide the tooth with structural support, and to restore function, and esthetics back to the tooth.
Crowns
Crowns are usually done to restore a tooth’s natural function, to prevent a weak part of the tooth from breaking down, and/or to alter the shape or esthetics of the tooth.
Crowns come in different material. There are metal/gold crowns which last a very long time if teeth are well cared for. However, they are not esthetic. For more esthetically pleasing restorations we turn to porcelain or ceramic crowns which can be matched to the shade of the surrounding teeth.
What does a crown process look like for a patient?
- The first appointment is usually the longer of the two required appointments. On the first appointment the tooth is shape, the decay removed, and necessary repairs made to the tooth surface. Impressions will be made of the tooth in order for the lab to fabricate the crown. You will have a temporary crown which is cemented with a temporary cement for the next week to 2 weeks. During this time, avoid chewing hard foods on the temporary crown. If your temporary crown becomes dislodged, contact us.
- Once the lab has fabricated and delivered the crown, we will begin the second appointment. We will check the overall fit, shade, esthetics, and comfort of the crown. Typically, some adjustments are made to the crown outside the mouth to achieve the desired finished product. Once adjustments are completed, the crown is cemented with a permanent cement.
- There are times when the newly crowned tooth may be sensitive to temperature. If this occurred, it is usually temporary.
Bridges
Dr. Josephs provides dental bridges for your teeth to fill in the gaps in your smile caused by missing teeth. A bridge is a set of false teeth, usually made from porcelain to match your existing teeth, that is anchored permanently onto the abutment teeth on both sides of the gap.
Bridges differ from dentures in that dentures are removable and bridges are permanently fixed in your mouth.
What are advantages of a bridge?
- Replace the missing tooth, and the chewing surface.
- By splinting two teeth on either side of missing space, it prevents leaning, or shifting of these teeth.
- restores back the lost esthetics.
- If the adjacent two teeth need crown coverage, the bridge provides them with that coverage
- A bridge can last a long time if it is properly cleaned and cared for.
- A bridge is a fixed prosthesis, meaning it is not removable.
Speak to our friendly staff about your options, and financing. The longer an empty space is left empty, the more changes take place around it. All options should be discussed including implants, removable appliance, or just leaving the space open. Bridges are only one of those options. But pros and cons of each option must be discussed prior to committing to a treatment solution. Consult with us and we will put all your options on the table, and discuss what works best for you.
Implants
Dental implants can be described as artificial tooth roots. Similar to a screw, these implants are placed in your jawbone where they bond with your natural bone. They are used for supporting crowns which are placed on top of the protruding end.
These crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth and to fit into the gap that the implants are to fill.
Implants remain the best option in most cases for replacement of missing teeth.
We work with a few trusted surgeons in the area who will place the implant in the bone. A traditional implant will need 3-4 months of healing time in order to integrate into the surrounding bone. Once the healing is complete, we will proceed with the restorative phase of the treatment.
This phase takes 2 appointments that are 2-3 weeks apart. On the first of the two appointments the appropriate molds are made, and an order is placed for the custom parts and the crown for your implant. On the second restorative appointment we place custom implant parts and crown and finish the process.
Dentures
Dentures are removable prosthetics used to replace multiple missing teeth. They are an economical option in addressing multiple missing teeth and can restore esthetics and function back to the wearer. The process of making a new denture or a set of dentures takes several appointments. Usually, after the denture is delivered there will be a period of adjustment that the patient will go through. During this time, minor adjustments will be made as needed by the dentist to ensure comfortable fit. A lose fitting denture can be treated by relining the inside surface.
When all the teeth are being replaced, the denture is called a full denture. When a few teeth need replacement, we call this a partial denture. Overall, there are two types of partial dentures:
- Metal framed partials- these have metal frame, and metal clasps. These are the traditional partial dentures.
- Non-metal partial- these partials do not incorporate metal into their frame. This gives them an esthetic edge over the metal partials.
- Temporary partials. These partials have a wide usage in temporarily replacing missing teeth. They are not meant to be worn for long periods of time.
“Dr. Josephs is an excellent dentist! He and his staff show concern for all patients and strive to provide quality care. You can trust Dr. Josephs as he is not in it for the money – he just wants to help people. He takes time to consider his course of action because he will always do what is best for the patient.“
