Advanced Procedures
At Arizona Healthy Smiles we offer several advanced dental services and procedures at our practice in Tempe Arizona near Mesa Chandler including implants, crowns, bridges, root canals, and TMJ treatments.
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are fabricated from porcelain, gold, or a combination of porcelain and gold. Porcelain crowns can be made to look just like real teeth. Crowns cover and protect a tooth that is likely to break or is too broken down to be restored with just a filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment, when a large filling is worn out, or when a tooth has a large cavity.
It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first any decay is removed from the tooth, and it is shaped to accept the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating the crown. A temporary crown is worn until the second appointment which is usually in two weeks. At the second appointment the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and then cemented in place.
DENTURES
Dentures replace multiple teeth that have become non-restorable due to periodontal disease, factures, or cavities. Dentures can be made to look very natural and in many cases more attractive than the natural teeth that they replace. Before recommending a denture, the existing teeth and soft tissues are examined. If a patient is a good candidate for a denture, the non-restorable teeth are extracted and a denture made to replace them. There is an adjustment period after dentures are place in the mouth. Implants can also be used to support dentures.
IMPLANTS
Dental implants replace missing teeth. An implant is a small titanium post that is surgically implanted into the bone. The bone grows around the implant and forms a tight connection. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, a replacement tooth is attached to it. Implants can be made to look just like natural teeth. In addition to single tooth replacement, implants can be used as support as part of an implant bridge or an implant retained denture. Implants can restore your ability to enjoy eating again.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) can become necessary when a tooth has is history of large cavities, multiple restorations, or trauma. These things can damage the nerve inside the tooth beyond the body’s ability to heal itself. During a root canal the infected pulpal tissues are removed, the area disinfected, and the area filled. In most cases after root canal treatment a tooth will need a full coverage crown to restore and strengthen it.
BRIDGES
Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. A bridge uses the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth as support teeth, hence the name bridge. They are fabricated from the same materials as crowns. They can be made to look very natural.
It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated, the teeth surrounding the missing tooth begin to shift. As this happens the bite changes which can lead to other serious dental problems.
TMJ TREATMENTS
TMJ is an abbreviation for temporal-mandibular joint. Problems in this joint may be caused by misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension due to clenching and grinding of the teeth. Some of the problems associated with this joint can include: headaches, earaches, trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth, clicking or popping of the jaw, pain in the jaw muscles, and soreness in the area.
Dental treatments for this condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite, and filling gaps between teeth. There is no one solution that is right for all cases. Sometimes a custom mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching and grinding that may contribute to the problems. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.
