RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
Crowns
Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay. A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Implant Restoration
An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: one part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. With implant treatment, you can smile confidently knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.
Bridges
A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached.
Dentures (Complete, Partial, Implant Supported)
Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial. Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for.
Unlike a removable denture that requires adhesive to keep it stable, a fixed hybrid denture is firmly attached to four or more implants in the jaw. Following the healing of the implants in the jaw bone, the implants are connected to abutments that are screwed into a metal framework. The hybrid denture is fixed and does not need to be taken out every day like regular dentures, making it a much more convenient and comfortable option for replacing missing teeth. Please request a consultation with Dr. Guthrie to see if you are a candidate for this option.