Restorative Dentistry

The process of creating a bridge starts by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be inserted. Your existing teeth will be recontoured to provide a base. After the abutments have been created, a mold is taken of the area and sent to a lab to create a bridge that will fit properly and feel just like your natural teeth. The bridge is made up of two crowns on either end to place the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces the missing tooth.

While it may take a little while to get used to, the bridge should feel like your natural teeth after a few days. We recommend eating soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge inserted. After this initial time, you will be able to eat whatever you want without issues.

If you're missing a tooth, consider having it replaced with a bridge. Missing teeth can cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw and also make it difficult to eat or speak properly. Contact Dr. John Stivers today to set up an appointment to restore your smile!

Crowns can be comprised of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or a full gold crown. A porcelain crown is best for maintaining a natural look and feel as it can be matched to your natural teeth. 

The crown installation process takes two to three visits. On your first visit, your tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You are given a local anesthetic prior to beginning the procedure so you don't experience any discomfort. Once the tooth is reshaped, a mold will be taken and sent to a dental lab for your new crown to be created. Before you leave the office, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown while you wait for the permanent one to be created.

In about two to three weeks, the permanent crown will be returned to your dentist. Your next visit will be for fitting and placing this crown. Again, we will provide a local anesthetic to numb the area before placing the tooth with cement. After this, you will look in the mirror and see your old smile once again! 

Crowns are durable and should last 10 to 15 years. You should care for your crown as you would care your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing and routine dental visits. Contact us today to learn more about crowns!

Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth that can be removed and replaced in your mouth as you please. Depending on your needs, you may receive partial or full dentures. 

Full dentures are used when all of your natural teeth are removed and replaced with the set of dentures. There are two types of full dentures:

Dentures may take a little while to get used to. Some people say that they feel bulky or that they don't feel there is enough room for their tongue. Over time, the dentures may even feel loose. These feelings will affect the way you eat and talk for some time. Eventually, your mouth becomes trained to eat and speak with your dentures and they will begin to feel more like your natural teeth. They may never feel fully comfortable but it is a better alternative than having no teeth.

You should care for your dentures as if they were real teeth. Brush them to remove plaque and food particles before removing them from your mouth. After they have been removed, place them directly into water at room temperature or a denture cleaning solution. Never use hot water, as it could warp the dentures. Be careful while handling your dentures because they are delicate and could break if dropped. Also, never try to adjust your dentures by yourself - always seek assistance from your dentist if they feel uncomfortable or loose.