Restorative Dentistry

What are dental restorations?

Dental restorations are treatments that restore health and function to a tooth damaged by decay, injury, or disease. There are many different types of dental restorations available, but at Bayou Dental Group, Drs. Charles Robertson and Patrick Mullee recommend the use of tooth-colored fillings whenever possible because they provide numerous benefits without detracting from your smile’s natural beauty. Our doctors can place tooth-colored fillings to repair minor damage or to enhance the appearance of a smile.

Before your treatment begins, your dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. He or she will then remove any decayed tissue from the affected tooth, clean the enamel, and place a composite resin material in the prepared area. After curing the material with a special light, your doctor will polish and shape the filling to match the rest of your smile. If you have any questions about our dental restorations or would like to schedule an appointment at our practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, please contact us today.

**Note:** The information throughout this dentistry website is not intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided by Bayou Dental Group is intended to provide general information regarding cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, TMJ Treatment, and more for residents of Baton Rouge, LA and surrounding areas. This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact our dental office today for a personal consultation. Read our ADA compliance disclosure.

If you are missing one or more teeth, and wish to eat your favorite foods, increase your chewing ability, and improve your appearance, speech, and

Fillings

There are two main materials used for fillings: dental amalgam and composite resin. Both are tooth-colored and blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. A filling is used to repair a damaged tooth and restore its function. The procedure is very similar to placing a regular old filling, except we use special instrument to clean out all the decay before placing the filling material in the cavity. Then, the filling is shaped and polished to match your natural tooth structure.

When the cavity is too large to be filled with a normal filling, we may recommend an inlay or onlay. These are larger fillings that are often recommended for teeth that have large restorations/fillings or those that are prone to fracture. These restorations are crafted in a lab using high-quality porcelain materials to ensure the best possible fit and appearance. They are not only made to be durable, but to also look as natural as possible so no one will be able to tell you have a restoration!

Crowns

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a restoration that is placed on top of a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and appearance. It fully encases the natural tooth above the gum line and is cemented into place. Also known as caps, dental crowns are custom made in a dental lab from impressions taken by your dentist. Once completed, they are bonded to the natural tooth structure to ensure a secure fit that will not come loose or fall out while eating. While crowns can be made from several materials, most are made from ceramic because it is sturdy and can be color-matched to your surrounding teeth. However, they can also be made from gold or a combination of metal alloys. Metal crowns are often chosen for molars because they withstand the greatest force when chewing food.

To learn more about dental crowns or schedule a consultation with Dr. Joel Henriod, contact our office today!

Dr. Joel Henriod and his team want to help you regain confidence in your smile with restorative dentistry in Clinton Township, MI. To schedule an appointment, call (586) 739-5550 or visit to schedule your initial appointment. Don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/smilesbyjoel!

Dental bridges

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth in a row of teeth. It is composed of two dental crowns that are cemented over existing tooth structure on either side of the gap and a false tooth in between. The false tooth is anchored in place by a pair of crowns on either side, which fill in the gap created by your missing tooth or teeth.

While there are several different types of bridges available, including our traditional fixed dental bridges and implant-supported bridges, at Montevallo Family Dentistry we generally recommend a traditional bridge for our patients. Traditional bridges are made with a porcelain crown fused to a healthy underlying tooth on each side of the space left by a damaged or lost tooth. These healthy teeth are called abutment teeth and are used to secure the bridge in your smile. The false tooth is placed in your bridge between the two abutment teeth to fill in the area where your natural tooth once was. Finally, a crown is placed on each abutment tooth to help anchor it securely into place.

For more information about our restorative dentistry services and how we can repair your smile with dental bridges, we invite you to call Dr. Daniel Clement and his dedicated staff today! We look forward to helping you smile brighter. **Note:** The information in this post regarding dental bridges was provided by our dentist, Daniel Clement, DDS. We strive to provide our patients with the best and most up-to-date information on dental health care and wisdom teeth removal procedures. If you have any further questions about any of the information we have provided, please contact our office directly. Thank you.