Restorative Dental Care
Lumineers and Veneers
Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.
Veneers are routinely used to fix:
• Teeth that are discolored — either because of root canal treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth
• Teeth that are worn down
• Teeth that are chipped or broken
• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)
• Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)
Getting a dental veneer usually requires three trips to the dentist – one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can simultaneously undergo the veneering process described below. Those three trips are for:
• Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Preparation
• Bonding
To learn more about the benefits and planning for this procedure, call us at 502-895-5440 or e-mail us and begin the process.
Dental Bridges
A bridge, also known as a fixed removable denture, is made to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges can be supported in any of three ways:
• By natural teeth
• By implants
• By a combination of teeth and implants
A traditional bridge is made by creating a crown for the teeth on either side of the space and placing a false tooth or teeth between the crowns. The crowns, sometimes called caps, can be supported by natural teeth or by implants. The false tooth or teeth are attached to the crowns and fill the empty space.
Dr. Music can also offer you Valplast Flexible Partials, which contain no metal framework or clasps. This option requires no drilling and is comfortable and natural in appearance. Cleaning Valplast is a simple as rinsing it in warm water and wiping with a soft cloth.
To learn about the various options available to you, call us at 502-895-5440 or e-mail us and begin the process.
Composite Fillings
At Elite Smiles of Louisville, we recommend having composite fillings as they provide excellent durability if you have front or back teeth with minor issues that need to be repaired. Made out of plastic and ceramic, composite fillings can be created to match the natural color of your teeth and serve as a good solution for the following conditions:
• Worn teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Tooth decay
• Broken or cracked teeth
These type of fillings are a perfect choice if you’d like to have a tooth repair that is essentially undetectable. When composite fillings are subjected to the pressure that’s caused when chewing or biting, they hold up well.
A Pleasing Alternative
For a number of years, amalgam (silver) fillings have been widely used when a tooth needs to be repaired. With the introduction of composite fillings, you now have an aesthetically pleasing alternative. While composite fillings aren’t as durable as their counterpart, they hold up well under normal use of your teeth. Also, they do cost a little more than an amalgam due to their ability to match the color of your own teeth, which should be taken into consideration. It will take longer to place a composite filling as the area needs to be completely clean and dry to ensure that the filling has a solid fit.
Placing Composite Fillings
Composite fillings can usually be placed in your mouth in just one appointment. You’ll likely receive a local anesthetic, which will help numb the area so that you don’t feel any pain. One of our highly skilled dentists will thoroughly examine your tooth and remove any damaged or decayed material. In the case of this type of filling, there is usually a minimal amount of material that’s removed. This ensures that there is an adequate amount of structure available to securely hold your new filling.
The next step in the procedure is to thoroughly clean the area where your filling will be placed. After placing the filling in your tooth, it will be shaped and polished. You’ll be asked to bite down to make sure that there aren’t any bothersome rough edges. This restores it to a normal looking tooth that has optimal function and structure.
What To Expect After Your Procedure
After your tooth has been filled with a composite filling, you’ll be able to eat and speak like normal. However, your tooth may be a little sensitive to foods and drinks that are hot or cold for a day or two. It may take a little time for your filling to completely acclimate, but you shouldn’t feel any discomfort over the long term with this type of tooth repair.
The End Goal
The end goal for receiving composite fillings is to restore the structure of your tooth so that it’s comfortable and functions normally. It will help reduce and probably eliminate the occurrence of any infection or decay. After your treatment, you’ll be given proper care instructions to help keep your repaired tooth as healthy as possible. By practicing good oral hygiene, having good eating habits and making regular visits to our office for biannual cleanings, it will assist in the life of your new composite fillings.
Elite Smiles of Louisville is dedicated to providing quality care and service.
