Restorations
When a tooth is damaged, decayed, or missing, restoring it quickly is the best way to protect your oral health and keep your smile functioning the way it should. At Mt. Hermon Dental Care, we offer a full range of restorative treatments to repair and replace teeth so you can get back to feeling your best.
What Restorations Can Do
Restorative dental treatment is about more than just appearances. Repairing damaged or missing teeth protects your surrounding teeth, preserves your jawbone, and helps you maintain a healthy, functional bite. Our restorative services can:
- Repair cracked or broken teeth
- Replace missing teeth
- Restore decayed teeth
- Protect weakened teeth from further damage
- Improve chewing and speaking function
- Prevent surrounding teeth from shifting
- Support facial structure and appearance
- Replace old or failing restorations
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings made of composite resin are used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay. We remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill the cavity with a durable material that blends seamlessly with your natural tooth color. The result is a restoration that is both functional and virtually invisible.
Composite fillings bond directly to the tooth structure, which means less healthy tooth material needs to be removed compared to traditional amalgam fillings. They are a safe, effective, and natural-looking solution for cavities of all sizes and can last for many years with proper care and regular dental visits.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are one of the most versatile restorations in dentistry and can address a wide range of concerns. You may need a crown if:
- You have a tooth with extensive decay
- You have had root canal therapy
- You have a cracked or fractured tooth
- A tooth is severely worn down
- You need cosmetic enhancement of a misshapen tooth
Crowns are crafted to match the color and contour of your surrounding teeth, so they look and feel completely natural. With proper care, a well-placed crown can last for many years and provide reliable protection for the underlying tooth.
How much do restorations cost?
The cost of restorative treatment varies depending on the type of restoration needed and the extent of the work involved. A simple filling will differ in cost from a crown or a full mouth reconstruction. We will examine your teeth and put together a clear estimate before any treatment begins, so you can review your options and make an informed decision about your care.
Will my restorations look natural?
Modern restorative materials are designed to closely match the color, texture, and translucency of natural tooth enamel. Whether you are receiving a filling, a crown, or a bridge, we take great care to ensure your restoration blends seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. Most patients find that their restorations are completely undetectable, even to them.
Why restoring a damaged tooth is better than extracting it
Whenever possible, saving a natural tooth is always the preferred approach. Your natural teeth provide important support for the surrounding teeth and jawbone that no restoration can fully replicate. Extracting a tooth without replacing it can lead to bone loss, shifting of adjacent teeth, and changes to your bite over time. Restorative treatment preserves what you have and protects your long-term oral health.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by crowns placed on the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. A bridge restores the appearance and function of your smile without the need for a removable appliance.
Bridges are custom-made to blend naturally with your surrounding teeth in color, shape, and size. Once placed, a bridge functions just like your natural teeth, allowing you to eat and speak with confidence. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a bridge can provide a durable and long-lasting solution for missing teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is used to treat a tooth that has become infected or severely damaged at the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Left untreated, an infected tooth can lead to serious complications including abscess and tooth loss. Root canal therapy allows us to save the tooth and eliminate the infection.
Despite its reputation, root canal therapy is a routine procedure that is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. We remove the infected pulp, clean and shape the inside of the tooth, and seal it to prevent further infection. In most cases, a crown is placed over the treated tooth to restore its strength and protect it from future damage.
Inlays & Onlays
Inlays and onlays are custom restorations used to repair back teeth that have decay or damage too extensive for a filling but not severe enough to require a full crown. An inlay fits within the cusps of the tooth, while an onlay extends over one or more cusps to provide greater coverage. Both are crafted from durable materials that closely match the appearance of your natural teeth.
Inlays and onlays are a conservative restorative option that preserves as much of your healthy tooth structure as possible. Because they are fabricated in a lab and bonded precisely to the tooth, they provide an exceptionally strong and well-fitting restoration. They are long-lasting, easy to care for, and a natural-looking alternative to metal restorations.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
For patients with multiple damaged, decayed, or missing teeth, a full mouth reconstruction combines several restorative treatments into a comprehensive plan designed to rebuild the health, function, and appearance of your entire smile. This may include a combination of fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and other treatments tailored to your specific needs.
Full mouth reconstruction begins with a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw. We take the time to understand your concerns and goals before putting together a treatment plan that addresses every aspect of your oral health. Each step is carefully coordinated so that your restorations work together to give you the most functional and natural-looking result possible.
Dental Implant Restorations
A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces the root portion of a missing tooth and serves as a stable foundation for a natural-looking crown. Implants are the most advanced solution available for replacing missing teeth, and they are the only restoration that also replaces the root, which is essential for preserving the health of your jawbone.
Dental implants work because of the biocompatible properties of titanium, which allow the post to fuse with your natural bone over time. This process, known as osseointegration, creates a stable and permanent foundation that functions just like a natural tooth root. Once the implant has integrated, a custom crown is attached to complete the restoration.
Implants are cared for just like natural teeth — with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits. There are no adhesives, no removable parts, and no special cleaning routines required. For patients who are missing one or more teeth, implants offer the most comfortable, functional, and long-lasting solution available.
Candidates for dental implants should be in good overall health and have sufficient bone density in the jaw to support the implant. If bone loss has occurred, a bone grafting procedure may be recommended prior to implant placement to build up the necessary support. We will evaluate your jawbone and overall oral health before recommending implant treatment.
The implant process typically takes place over several months to allow time for the implant to integrate with the bone before the final crown is placed. During this period, a temporary restoration is provided so you are never without a tooth. The timeline varies depending on your individual situation, and we will walk you through every step of the process from start to finish.
Dental implants are a long-term investment in your oral health and quality of life. With proper care, they can last a lifetime and never need to be replaced. For patients who are good candidates, there is no better solution for replacing a missing tooth than a dental implant supported by a custom restoration.
Rebuilding Your Smile Starts Here
At Mt. Hermon Dental Care, we are committed to helping you maintain a healthy, functional smile at every stage of life. If you have a damaged, decayed, or missing tooth, contact our Scotts Valley office today to schedule a consultation and find out which restorative treatment is right for you.
