Dental crowns are indicated for teeth that are structurally compromised due to a fracture, an existing root canal, a large cavity, or an existing large amount of filling material that is breaking down. Some may refer to dental crowns as caps because they cover the tooth to give it strength to prevent future tooth loss. Crowns give your damaged tooth strength and restore the tooth’s natural function. Crowns are custom made for your individual tooth. A shade guide is used to match your tooth’s color. Crowns are usually completed in two appointments at our office. The first appointment is used to remove any decay or compromised tooth structure, and to prepare the tooth for the crown. In between the two appointments, you will have a temporary crown to protect your tooth while the lab is customizing a crown made for your tooth. When you come for your second appointment, we will try the crown on to make sure it fits perfectly before we use cement to bond it to your natural tooth.

Resin composite dental fillings, or tooth-colored fillings, are used to fix teeth that have lost a minor to moderate amount of tooth structure due to a cavity, a chipped tooth, or a smaller fracture. Prior to placing the filling, the cavity or damaged portion of the tooth will be removed and cleaned out. A shade guide is used to custom match to your existing tooth color and Dr. Wiechart will mimic the shape of your natural tooth, so the filling is not obvious when looking at the tooth. The filling material is cured by a light, so the material is hardened before you leave the office.

Implants are an excellent tooth replacement option. The implant will be placed by the specialist, and when they have cleared the implant for a crown, you will return to our office. An impression or scan of the implant will be taken and sent to the lab to make a custom crown that matches the shape and shade of the surrounding teeth. The crown will be attached to the implant with cement or a screw.

Patients often elect to have a bridge completed when they lose a tooth, and don’t want to have a dental implant. A bridge connects the teeth on either side of the missing space to one another with essentially three crowns that are fused together. A bridge requires the teeth on either side of the missing tooth to be prepared like crowns. The lab will design a custom bridge for the area that matches the shape and the shade of the surrounding teeth. The bridge will be evaluated for proper fit prior to being bonded to the teeth with cement. Dr. Wiechart always encourages patients to purchase a water flosser to properly clean under your bridge because you cannot floss between the fused teeth.

A root canal is used to treat a tooth that has decay or an injury involving the nerve of the tooth. Oftentimes, a tooth that needs a root canal will be causing pain or swelling. A root canal involves removing the injured nerve tissue and cleaning out the small space in your tooth where the nerve is housed. The area will be disinfected and filled in, so the tooth will no longer feel pain. A root canal is completed so you can save your tooth. A crown is commonly indicated on teeth that have been treated with a root canal. More severe cases may be treated by the specialist.

Periodontal treatments clean the pockets around teeth to reduce the amount of inflammation that causes periodontal disease.

Dental extractions are indicated when your tooth has a severe fracture that cannot be repaired, severe bone loss or periodontal disease, or an infection that cannot be treated with a root canal. Sometimes dental extractions may need to be completed with an oral surgeon depending on the severity of the case and your medical history.

Flouride treatment, night guards for clenching and grinding, dentures, periodontal treatments, extractions, and other screenings!