General Dentistry At Your Chilliwack Dentist

Bonded (White, Composite) Fillings

A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

Following preparation, the dentist places the composite in layers, typically using a light specialized to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The dentist then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear.

What are the advantages of composites?

Aesthetics are the main advantage of composites, since dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.

Dental Crowns

Crowns are made of three types of materials:

1. Porcelain – most like a natural tooth in color.
2. Gold Alloy – strongest and most conservative in its preparation.
3. Porcelain fused to an inner core of gold alloy (Porcelain Fused to Metal or “PFM”) – combines strength and aesthetics.

Dental Bridges

A bridge is a dental restoration that replaces missing teeth. It is made of a false tooth attached to crowns which fit over teeth on both sides of a space. A bridge is cemented in place and cannot be taken out. Bridges build back your smile and help you to speak and chew properly by restoring your teeth to their natural size, shape and – if using porcelain – color. They help maintain tooth, bite and jaw alignment by preventing remaining teeth from shifting out of position.

Bridges are made of three types of materials:

1. Porcelain – most like a natural tooth in color.
2. Gold Alloy – strongest and most conservative in its preparation.
3. Porcelain fused to an inner core of gold alloy (Porcelain Fused to Metal or “PFM”) – combines strength and aesthetics.

Dentures

Complete Denture

A complete denture is an appliance that replaces all the teeth in one jaw. It is not cemented in the mouth and can be taken out.

A complete denture restores function and appearance to a jaw with no teeth. It is the most cost effective way of replacing all the teeth in one jaw. A complete denture can also provide important support to facial structures such as the lips, helping to in maintain a more youthful appearance. Complete dentures, even under the best of circumstances, DO NOT have the same chewing efficiency as natural teeth. The ability to chew food depends on the stability, support and retention of the dentures. Stability, support and retention are affected by many factors, including the amount and type of bone, gums and saliva present in the patient’s mouth as well as the shape of the patient’s jaw and how it fits with the opposing teeth.

Partial Denture

A removable partial denture (RPD) is an appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. It is not cemented in the mouth and can be taken out. The framework of an RPD is made of a metal alloy for strength. The teeth are made of white acrylic or porcelain. The teeth are attached to the metal framework by pink acrylic which simulates gums. An RPD restores function and appearance to a broken down mouth. It is usually the most cost effective way of replacing teeth, especially in a mouth where many teeth are missing. An RPD can also provide important support to facial structures such as the lips; helping to in maintain a more youthful appearance.

Tooth Extractions

Surgical extractions involve the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed, either because they have broken under the gum line or because they have not erupted fully. Surgical extractions almost always require an incision. In a surgical extraction, soft tissues are elevated covering the tooth and bone. The dentist may also remove some of the overlying jawbone tissue with a drill or osteotome. Frequently, the tooth may be split into multiple pieces to facilitate its removal.