Restorative Dentistry
From Extractions and Root Canals, to Composite Restorations, Crowns and Bridges, we recreate your smile with the detailed attention and quality you deserve in a comfortable and caring environment.
Composite Restorations
A composite filling (white fillings) repairs a tooth damaged by decay, cracks, or fractures. This type of filling is highly popular, as it perfectly blends in with your teeth. Composite fillings also chemically bond to your tooth’s structure, which provides further support and a better seal. In addition, composite fillings allow for more of your tooth to be saved as only the decayed tooth material needs to be removed during preparation. Composite fillings can be done in one appointment lasting about an hour or less. Local anesthesia will be applied, so the procedure should not be painful. At the completion of your filling our office staff will provide information on what to expect post-operatively. Dr. Raines will examine your fillings to ensure they stay in good shape during your regular teeth cleanings at our office. Our office does not provide amalgam restorations (silver fillings) for several reasons. As they age, silver fillings expand, contract and could split, resulting in staining of your mouth, and potentially releasing mercury containing contents. However, if you already have silver fillings that are showing signs of failure or are of esthetic concern, Dr. Raines can safely replace them with a tooth-colored composite filling.
Crowns & Bridges
When a tooth is fractured or decayed and can’t be repaired by a filling because of the size and location, it may need a crown or cap. A dental crown provides protection and strength by completely covering the top part of the tooth, like how a helmet protects our head. Our expert dentist, Dr. Raines, ensures your porcelain crown is the appropriate size, shape and color to perfectly match your surrounding teeth. These crowns look perfectly natural, hide any tooth discoloration, are long-lasting with proper care, and restore one’s ability to chew.
Another way to replace a missing tooth is with a dental bridge. If a dental implant is not possible or not desired, a dental bridge can be used as an alternative. Both teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are prepared to receive crowns and a fake tooth known as a pontic is attached in the middle. This gets cemented in place and is not removed by the patient. Specific instructions are given on how to clean underneath and around a bridge. Dr. Raines will make sure your bridge will look natural so nobody will be able to tell a tooth is missing!
Dental Implant Restorations
A dental implant replaces a missing tooth and consists of three parts: a crown, an abutment, and a titanium post. The post is coated with a biocompatible material and is inserted into the jaw. Over a period of about 3 months, it permanently fuses with your bone, a process called osseointegration. The abutment fits inside the post and connects it to the crown, which looks and feels exactly like a natural tooth. There are two ways to connect an abutment to a crown, either with a cement or having it fused together in the dental laboratory, the latter of which Dr. Raines prefers. Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. They do not fall or slip out like dentures and are similar to your natural teeth texture and color. Other benefits include protecting your jawbone from deterioration, restoring your ability to chew and eat whatever foods you would like and improving your smile. Dr. Raines will work with a trusted surgeon from planning stages to final restoration to assure a beautiful, comfortable, and natural result!
All-On-4®
A fixed-hybrid denture more commonly known as All-on-X or “Teeth in a Day” is the ideal solution for patients who are currently missing all of their teeth or whose teeth need to be extracted secondary to advanced decay, trauma, or severe periodontal disease. The All-On-X concept allows Dr. Raines to work with some of the area’s best surgeons to restore an entire arch of teeth on just 4 or more implants. Dr. Raines will take initial impressions and measurements allowing for a set of teeth to be created and inserted the same day as tooth removal and implant placement. After a period of healing, Dr. Raines will create a final set of teeth that mimic the natural teeth in both appearance and function. Patients who opt for this treatment can enjoy the same foods they did prior to developing dental problems such as corn and apples. The benefits of never being without teeth, not having the palate (roof of the mouth) covered, and not being removable make a fixed-hybrid denture a very popular solution for patients.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canals are needed when there is an infection in the tooth pulp, the innermost layer of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. Infection of the pulp can occur following a crack or chip in the tooth, trauma to the tooth, or deep decay. Signs of infection typically include strong sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth or gum. More serious infection may involve fever, abscess formation, facial swelling, and difficulty opening one’s mouth. If you experience any of these symptoms see Dr. Raines immediately for an exam. If needed, root canal therapy is an important procedure to prevent the need for teeth extraction and dental implant placement. During a root canal, you will be given local anesthesia and the infected pulp will be removed, filled, and sealed by the placement of a crown. Historically, root canals have gotten a bad reputation for being extremely uncomfortable, but modern advances have made them much more pleasant experiences. In fact, some of our patients even fall asleep! It is also important to know that your tooth is not “dead” after receiving a root canal, as it still maintains its blood supply from the periodontal ligament.
Tooth Extractions
A tooth may need to be extracted for several reasons. These include severe periodontal disease, a broken tooth that cannot be repaired, or a tooth that has advanced decay. Alternatively, a healthy tooth may need to be extracted in preparation for orthodontic treatment, or due to its positioning in the mouth, such as an impacted (stuck) canine or wisdom tooth. Removal of a tooth may result in changes to your oral health, such as a noticeable decrease in chewing ability or the teeth shifting to an undesirable position. Therefore, Dr. Raines will discuss alternatives to a tooth extraction, if possible, as well as possible tooth replacement using dental implants. Before the extraction, Dr. Raines will use local anesthetic to numb the tooth and gums, so the only sensation that is felt is the pressure. Within a few days of the procedure, you should feel fine and can resume normal activities. At your extraction visit, our office staff will provide a more detailed home-care procedure ensuring a comfortable and predictable healing with reduced risk of post operative complications.
Removable Dentistry
Removable partial or complete dentures can be tooth replacement solutions for patients who are missing multiple, or all their teeth. A partial denture replaces some of the teeth in an arch (top or bottom) and uses the existing remaining teeth as an anchor by clasping in place. They can be made of metal with denture teeth set in an acrylic base or made of a flexible but durable plastic-based material. Partial dentures need to be removed at night during sleep but can be a financially beneficial alternative for patients who need to replace multiple areas of teeth. Dr. Raines will make sure your partial denture is appropriately fit and designed so that it will be as comfortable and esthetic as possible. If a patient is missing all their teeth, or the remaining teeth are broken beyond repair, then a full denture may be necessary. Dr. Raines uses remaining anatomic landmarks to create a denture that will be as retentive and natural appearing as possible. Immediate dentures are those that can be inserted immediately after teeth extraction.