Restorative Dentistry

When your teeth get worn down from chewing food or having toxins in your mouth, you may need a porcelain or gold crown. At Mosley Dental, we exchange existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth. Made from materials such as high-grade porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain bonded to gold, crowns generally support damaged teeth and fix functional chewing problems.

Fitting a crown requires two visits to Mosley Dental. Initially, Dr. Mosley will get rid of any decay, shape the tooth as needed, and then fit the tooth with a temporary crown.

On the subsequent visit, Dr. Mosley will remove the temporary crown, replacing it with a permanent crown. Once adjusted, if necessary, the permanent crown will be cemented into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth.

A bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth, this missing tooth is known as a pontic. Bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease, help correct some bite issues and even improve your speech.

One of the worst side effects of missing teeth is an increased risk of gum disease. This trend can be minimized with a dental bridge. The bridge attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth.

A fixed bridge involves the placement of crowns on the abutment teeth, or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Dental bridges can be made using porcelain, gold, or a combination of these materials.

Fitting a dental bridge usually takes two appointments to complete. Dr. Mosley will first prepare the teeth on either side of the space by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin. A bridge must be constructed precisely to guarantee correct bite and to match the opposing teeth, so impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a laboratory. Between appointments, a temporary bridge will be provided to protect the teeth.

Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge. Fixed bridges are cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth.

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. Good dental care of these teeth is critically important, as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

Removable Dental Prosthesis

Dentures can replace missing teeth and can be utilized depending on your personal needs:

Partial Dentures – A removable partial denture attaches to your natural teeth with clasps that keep them in place, completing your smile by filling out the spaces created by missing teeth. Partial dentures are constructed of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases connected by a metal framework. Your natural teeth are used to support removable partial dentures.

Overdentures – Giving dentures more stability and better fit, an overdenture is a type of denture that is placed over dental implants and typically “snaps” onto the implants.

The alignment of your jaw will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges shrink due to teeth extraction. Dentures will experience wear over time and will need to be replaced or realigned in order to maintain proper jaw alignment. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for any changes or potential gum disease.