Restorative Dentistry – Wethersfield, CT
Restore, Repair and Reinvigorate Your Smile
Teeth are incredibly durable and capable of withstanding daily exposure to your favorite foods and beverages with relative ease. However, they require daily maintenance so they don’t develop tooth decay. Furthermore, your gums need protection as they can become infected, making it impossible to keep teeth in place. In the event that decay or a serious injury leaves your teeth damaged, chipped, cracked or otherwise affected in any way, Dr. Brendan and Riley Gionfriddo are more than prepared to provide you personalized crowns, bridges, dentures and more at Dolan Dental!
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Has a tooth broken down as a result of long-term tooth decay? Do you have an old filling that’s causing more problems than it’s solving? While dental fillings of the past may have protected teeth for many years, tooth-colored versions help you continue that protection without dealing with the compromises of metal fillings. For example, our fillings blend in with your existing tooth enamel, so you can smile without worry of them reflecting in the light.
Inlays & Onlays
After decay has been removed, sometimes the overall shape of your tooth can be broken down, but not necessarily need a full-blown crown to cover it in the process. That’s where inlays and onlays come in. Inlays are placed directly inside of the tooth and used when a filling is not enough to restore it. Onlays are for covering the cusp of teeth. The difference is inlays sit in between the cusps, while onlays sit on top of them and in some cases replace the need for a full crown.
Dental Crowns
Considered to be one of the most versatile restorative options in dentistry, dental crowns are ideal for covering teeth damaged by decay or physical injury. They not only restore their functional abilities, but also their esthetic appearance, especially when you choose ceramic/porcelain crowns. With them, you can even make larger a restoration to restore and replace teeth simultaneously. With regular care, your dental crown should last at least 10 years without breaking down and our office will explain the best way to care for it after it’s placed.
Dental Bridges
Whether you need to replace a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth at a time, dental bridges are one of the most common methods available. A bridge consists of multiple crowns fused together, which is then placed on top of modified teeth. The crowns on either end of the bridge are anchored to your existing teeth (much like crowns are) and the crown sitting in between them (known as a pontic) acts as the replacement tooth that fills the gap in your smile.
Full & Partial Dentures
If you have several missing teeth on opposite sides of your mouth or you’re missing all teeth in a given arch, full and partial dentures are one of the most affordable solutions you can consider. Full dentures are made of porcelain and acrylic material so they can properly blend in with your mouth while in use. Partial dentures are usually made with porcelain teeth and a metal base, which is placed into the mouth like a puzzle piece. Both can last several years with proper care and make it possible to enjoy many of the foods you couldn’t before.
Root Canal Therapy
In the past, badly damaged teeth would need to be extracted outright, especially when the roots or inner tooth were compromised. Today, root canal therapy gives your tooth a second chance, even when suffering from an infection. During root canal therapy, we remove all infected portions of your pulp, irrigate the canal, place gutta percha to replace the damaged tissue (as well as prevent future infection) and cover the tooth with a crown. This is one of the most effective ways to save a severely damaged tooth, rather than extracting it.
Tooth Extractions
If a tooth becomes so damaged that it cannot be saved or it puts neighboring teeth at risk, an extraction may be necessary. Extractions are never the first treatment option we consider, but we can ensure a safe and successful treatment should they be required. We’ll make sure that you are completely comfortable prior to treatment and go over the entire process step-by-step so you can feel prepared. Afterwards, we can discuss potential tooth replacement options.
Soft Tissue Grafting
If you have gum disease, especially in the advanced stages, your gum tissue will begin to recede and expose more of the vulnerable areas of your teeth. When this tissue becomes too damaged, it may need to be removed, leaving your teeth exposed. With soft tissue grafting, we take tissue from other parts of your mouth (typically from the hard or soft palate) and place it onto areas where gum tissue has receded. After enough time, the tissue will have healed in its new position, effectively restoring your smile and protecting your teeth.