Transform Your Smile with Dental Restorations in Fountain Valley
Restoration dentistry considers the appearance of your smile as well as the condition of your teeth and gums. Our treatment plans are intended to rebuild teeth that are decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored, or even missing. At the dental practice of Dr. Eugene Schmidt, DDS we provide a variety of restorative dental services to bring your teeth back to their normal shape, function, and appearance.
A successful outcome of dental restorations depends on your comfort and satisfaction, and each visit should provide improvement. Call our experienced team today to discover all the ways we can help you restore your oral health and love your smile.
CALL US: 714-963-8934 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What are Dental Restorations?
Any procedure used to bring back the function and integrity of a tooth can be categorized as a dental restoration. Composite fillings, for example, can restore damage done by decay, and provide cosmetic benefits when they are made of natural-looking materials. Even preventive care such as professional cleanings have a part to play in restoring your overall oral health. When your gums are healthy they support the tissues and ligaments surrounding your teeth, reducing the possibility that you will need more complex, invasive treatments.
Some common restorative services include:
At our dental practice, we use advanced technology and the latest techniques to ensure you receive the high-quality restorative dental care you deserve. Examinations, radiographs, and clinical expertise allow us to accurately diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health diseases thoroughly yet gently.
How Long Do Dental Restorations Last?
The longevity of your teeth depends on the health of your gums and bone, and restorations should be designed with this in mind. Successful restorations are placed correctly to connect and distribute forces evenly, preserving the surrounding oral structure.
5 Components of Successful Restorations
- Correct Diagnoses
- Patient Comfort
- Ideal Structural Design
- Periodontal Health
- Longevity
Fountain Valley Dental Restoration Examples
Direct
Using the material best suited for your treatment, direct restorations include procedures that can be done in one office visit, such as a filling or bonding. A soft or malleable material is placed in the prepared tooth to build it up, then hardened, buffed and polished to restore full form and function.
Indirect
This type of restoration includes any materials that are fabricated outside the mouth. An impression or mold is usually made first, then sent to a lab or milling machine. The completed restoration is permanently bonded with an adhesive and requires at least two visits to our office. Many different kinds of restorations fit into this category, from crowns and veneers to dental implants and dentures.
Dental Restorations and Periodontal Disease
The relationship between periodontal disease and restorations is interdependent. When periodontal disease goes untreated, it can compromise the success of a restoration, and when a restoration is not done properly, it can have adverse effects on periodontal health.
Periodontal disease occurs when there is an excess amount of plaque producing bacteria that increase infection. The tissue around your teeth becomes inflamed and painful and can eventually lead to gum recession and tooth loss. Because the position of your teeth can be altered by gum disease it is very important to treat it before undergoing any restorative treatment. After the inflammation has resolved, your teeth will settle into their normal position allowing a restoration to be created that will come close to your gum line and rest comfortably between neighboring teeth. This correct positioning lets you brush and floss effectively and prevents food debris and bacteria from building up in places that are not easy to clean.
From the other direction, a restoration made of inferior material or not polished smooth will have small crevices and fissures that allow bacteria to accumulate, spreading the infection to your gums. Additionally, a dental crown or veneer that is not fitted correctly can impair your bite and interfere with chewing function and jaw alignment. At Eugene Schmidt, DDS we focus your treatment around eliminating inflammation and gum disease first, then we can provide you with a restoration that will look and feel great and promote overall oral health.
Tips for Keeping Your Dental Restorations in Good Condition
- Brush every day, at least twice a day
- Floss thoroughly around your teeth, crowns, implants, and bridges daily
- Avoid sticky foods and using your teeth as tools
- Fight plaque bacteria around restorations with mouthwash
- Visit our office at least twice a year for professional cleanings and exams
How are Dental Restorations Made?
The material used for your restoration is just as important as how it is placed. Gold and composite have a good reputation for reducing possible periodontal risk because they provide a smooth surface that bacteria can’t adhere to and can be easily removed with regular oral hygiene methods.
At our Fountain Valley, CA, dental office, we use digital imaging to create your custom restoration and work with a trusted lab to produce the highest quality prosthetics. We pay close attention to the details to make sure restorations are sealed correctly to protect against bacteria.
Why Do Restorations Fail?
The life span of your restoration can vary depending on the location and amount of original dentition removed and your overall oral health habits. Fillings and crowns can last for 10 to 15 years, and full or partial dentures also last long but may need adjusting over time. The most common reasons for problems with restorations include:
- Fractures
- Changes in gum health
- Discoloration
- Genetics
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Age
At Eugene Schmidt, DDS, we start with the highest-quality materials and most advanced techniques to help your restorations last as long as possible. With regular visits and good oral hygiene at home, you will get the most out of your investment, plus optimal and long-lasting oral health!
Dental Restorations and Teeth Whitening
Many people ask us about how whitening can affect their dental restorations, old and new. Whitening cannot make a filling lighter or change the color of a veneer or crown. We recommend whitening your teeth first so that your new restorations can be color-matched to the lightest possible shade of your natural dentition. Of course, restorations can be replaced and upgraded for aesthetic reasons, but you will save time and money by following a logical treatment plan.
Dramatic Results with Dental Veneers
For the many people who are unhappy with the appearance of their smile, porcelain veneers are an excellent solution. If you want a more uniform smile, you may enjoy how porcelain veneers can easily achieve this goal.
To determine whether veneers are suited for your needs, our team schedules an initial consultation to evaluate your oral health and discuss treatment specifics. Your preferences on shape, width, color, and length are carefully decided to ensure you have complete confidence in our care.
Next, we will take detailed records and images so your custom veneers can be created specifically for your unique needs. Each veneer is made with special attention to detail, including a translucent color that will enhance your smile.
At your second appointment we will place your veneers precisely so they will look and feel completely natural. After your veneers are placed, you can brush and floss like normal. Be sure to visit our office at least twice a year so we can do detailed cleanings and check that each veneer is in good condition.
Restoration Options for Missing Teeth
Until recently, people missing all their teeth only had two options: bare gums or dentures. Dental implants are the modern alternative to conventional dentures and provide a permanent solution for a full arch of missing teeth.
Titanium posts inserted into the jaw bone are used to attach a permanent crown, and together, they provide a natural root system to strengthen and improve bite force. This means you can eat a wider variety of foods, leading to a healthier diet and a more confident smile. Other benefits include:
- Rehabilitated oral function
- Healthy jaw bone density
- Prosthetics that won't slip
- No need for messy adhesives or cleansers
- Unblocked palate
- Maintain a youthful facial structure
The Dental Implant Process
At Eugene Schmidt, DDS, we will guide you through every step of the implant process. We team up with the best implant specialist to arrange for the surgical placement of the post, and then we complete your treatment with a custom restoration. The process will include several sessions over a long period, but the results last a lifetime and look and feel just like your natural teeth. The first step is evaluating if you are eligible for dental implant surgery.
Once you’ve been evaluated and completed any necessary pre-treatments, such as bone grafting or gum disease treatment, your implant is placed. The number of implants you receive will depend on your overall health and your complete restoration plan. Single implants can be strategically placed to replace one tooth, secure a bridge, or hold dentures in place. The surgical placement is followed by a healing period of several months, which allows the implants to fuse to the bone and tissue to heal. During this waiting period, your custom prosthetic is fabricated to your exact specifications. Finally, your custom crown, bridge, or denture is fixed into place for a permanent, comfortable, and long-lasting restoration.
Why Should a Tooth be Restored
Restoring your teeth not only improves your confidence, but it is also beneficial for your overall dental health. Missing teeth can affect the way you look and speak and create spaces that neighboring teeth may drift into. This movement can negatively affect your bite alignment or allow food to get stuck in the gaps, increasing your risk for tooth decay. The roots of your teeth also promote stability in jawbone volume and density. Without roots, the jaw begins to atrophy and can lead to other oral health problems. Quality dental restorations can give you a full complement of teeth with a strong chewing force that allows you to enjoy a more varied diet of nutrient-rich foods like nuts, vegetables, and fresh fruit.
Fillings, Crowns, Implants, and More in Fountain Valley, CA
We want you to love your smile, and our team has the skills, technology, and compassion needed to provide you and your family with excellent restorative dental care. Our goal is to help all our patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health and a beautiful smile. Our office is conveniently located on the corner of Talbert and Magnolia in the Rite-Aid shopping center. Call us today and set up an appointment to discuss your restoration treatment options.
CALL US: 714-963-8934 REQUEST APPOINTMENT