There are times when good at-home oral hygiene isn’t enough to keep your mouth healthy. Whether due to injury or infection, your teeth may need restorative dentistry solutions to repair damage and restore strength.
At New Britain Dental Arts, restoring your smile is as easy as making an appointment at our New Britain, CT, dental office. We offer a number of different ways to bring your smile back to full health, so contact us today to schedule
Composite Fillings
Tooth decay happens when sugars or starches come into contact with bacteria on your teeth, forming an acid that eats away at tooth enamel. If we discover signs of tooth decay during an appointment, we may recommend a composite filling, which fills the space left behind by tooth decay.
In order to place the filling, we remove the damaged area of the tooth. This stops the decay process in its tracks and helps prevent future decay in that area. Once the tooth is cleaned, we place a composite material into the hole and cure, or harden, it using a special light. Once the filling has been cured, it will provide a solid and stable tooth surface that blends in well with the surrounding teeth.
Dental Crowns
If you have tooth damage that can not be treated by a filling, we can use a dental crown to encapsulate it, not only providing protection but restoring the look of the tooth as well. A crown is a tooth-colored cap that fits snugly over a tooth. Our crowns are custom-fitted to your teeth, meaning that they will look and feel like your natural teeth.
Root Canals
A root canal is a procedure designed to restore the health of a tooth following a tooth infection. This infection can occur deep within the tooth, often due to severe decay or trauma.
During a root canal, we create a small opening in the tooth crown to access the tooth pulp. Once inside the tooth, our team will clean out the inflamed pulp to treat the infection and alleviate discomfort. We may also use an antibiotic to fight future bacteria. With the tooth cleaned, the dentist fills the inside of the tooth to strengthen it. The final part of the root canal is the placement of a dental crown. This helps protect the tooth against future infections while also giving you back a strong bite.
We understand that people often get nervous when they hear they need a root canal. But we want you to feel comfortable throughout the appointment. Talk to us prior to your procedure, and we’ll determine how to ensure a comfortable experience for you.
Tooth Extractions
Despite our best efforts, there are times when we can’t save a tooth. In order to save the surrounding teeth and your jawbone, we may recommend a tooth extraction.
If you need to have a tooth extracted, rest assured we will keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. We use local anesthesia to numb the area, and then gently remove the tooth. We will also go over your options for tooth replacement, including dental implants, a dental bridge, or dentures.
Dental Bridges
When you’re missing one or more teeth in a row, we may be able to use a dental bridge to “bridge” the gap. A bridge consists of one or more false teeth supported by dental crowns on either end. We bond the crowns to teeth on either side of the gap, and once the bridge is in place, the false tooth or teeth sit in the space(s) left behind by missing teeth.
A dental bridge is typically a fixed, long-lasting tooth replacement option, so ask us at your next appointment if you’re a good candidate.
Dentures
We can replace missing teeth using custom dentures. This dental appliance is great for replacing a few teeth or all teeth. In order to design your dentures, we take images and impressions, and use software to design the overall look of your smile.
- If your denture is for your top arch, the denture will have the U-shaped arch of false teeth along with a flat, gum-colored center that fits against the roof of your mouth.
- Bottom arch dentures are just the U-shaped arch with teeth.
If you’re missing teeth, talk to your dentist at your next appointment to determine if dentures are an option for you.
Let’s Bring Back Your Best Smile
We want you to feel confident in the health and beauty of your smile. Our team invites you to make an appointment and discover the difference at our practice. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality dental care performed by a team of friendly professionals. No matter your need, we will do all we can to help you get your best smile now and for years to come.