Tooth Decay

Dental crowns are used widely in modern dentistry for many purposes from cosmetic to structural. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth – covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line….

Wisdom teeth cause more problems than any other tooth in the mouth. They will either partially break the gum tissue and grow in crooked or remain underneath the gum. In nine out of ten people, at least one tooth remains underneath the gum – referred to as an impacted tooth, causing symptoms of future problems of varying degrees.

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Inlays and onlays are ways of repairing relatively extensive tooth decay or damage without having to replace the whole outer portion of the tooth. An inlay is done when the tooth structure replaced is within the cusp tips of the tooth. If the damage is more extensive and the new structure covers the entire chewing surface including one or more tooth cusps, the procedure is called an onlay.
Unlike fillings, inlays and onlays do not weaken the tooth structure, but actually strengthens it. After the procedure the tooth can bear up to 50 – 75% more chewing force. They also tend to last longer than a filling.
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Silver mercury fillings not only look unsightly but can actually be harmful to your teeth. They expand and contract in response to heat and cold weakening the tooth they we’re meant to protect. This can also allow decay to begin under the filling which often goes unnoticed until too late….