Restorative Dentistry in Arlington, TX

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry addresses issues that threaten your dental health. It involves treatments that help restore damaged teeth or replace missing ones. Restorative dentistry can help patients of all ages, whether you need a cavity to repair decay, a crown to restore a broken tooth, or an artificial implant to replace a tooth entirely. Our skilled dental specialists at Pecan Park Dental provide expert restorative dentistry in Arlington, TX. We are here to help you regain your smile.

Our Restorative Dental treatments in Arlington, TX

Dental Fillings

Fillings are one of the most common restorative dentistry procedures in Arlington, TX, for treating cavities and decayed teeth. The procedure involves removing the damaged or decayed portion of your tooth and replacing it with a filling material such as composite resin, porcelain, or silver amalgam. The filling material helps restore your tooth’s structure, function, and aesthetics while preventing further decay.

When To Get Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures performed by dentists and are primarily used to treat cavities or tooth decay. You should get dental fillings if you have:

• Tooth Decay or Cavities: The most common reason you need a filling is to repair a cavity caused by tooth decay. Dentists use fillings to “fill in” the decayed area and prevent further decay by eliminating spaces where bacteria can enter.
• Damage from Grinding Teeth: Over time, grinding or clenching your teeth can cause them to wear down or crack. Fillings can restore these teeth to their normal shape and function.
• Broken or Cracked Teeth: If a tooth is broken or cracked, a filling can help restore its structure and prevent further damage or discomfort.
• Old or Damaged Fillings: Old or damaged fillings can become ineffective over time and might need to be replaced to prevent further tooth decay.
• Eroded Teeth: Acidic foods, reflux disease, or simply aging can cause tooth erosion. Fillings can be used to repair these teeth and restore their functionality.

If you experience symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, pain when you bite down, visible holes or pits in your teeth, or persistent bad breath, these could be signs of cavities or other oral health problems that might need a filling. We offer several options for dental fillings in Arlington, TX.

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Dentures

Dentures are prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth and improve the appearance and functionality of the mouth. They can be either partial or complete, depending on the number of teeth you are missing. Dentures can be removable or fixed and are custom-made to fit your mouth. They can help improve speech, chewing ability, and overall oral health.

When To Get Dentures

Dentures, or removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues, are helpful if you have:

• Extensive Tooth Loss: If you’ve lost several teeth, whether due to tooth decay, gum disease, or injury, dentures can make a significant difference. They can replace your missing teeth and restore your functionality for chewing and speaking.
• Significant Gum Disease: If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. Dentures might be a suitable replacement solution in advanced cases where many of your teeth have been lost or extracted.
• Difficulty Eating: If missing teeth are preventing you from properly chewing and breaking down food, dentures can improve your ability to process food effectively, contributing to better nutrition and overall health.
• Facial Muscle Sagging: Missing teeth can cause your facial muscles to sag, altering your appearance and making you look older. Dentures can help retain your face’s shape.
• Impeded Speech: Our teeth play a crucial role in speech. Losing multiple teeth, particularly in the front, can affect your ability to pronounce certain words. Dentures can help improve your speech clarity.
• Low Self-Confidence: Missing teeth can impact your self-esteem and the way you interact with others. Dentures can enhance your smile and boost your confidence.

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Dental Bridges

Bridges are another common restorative dentistry service used to replace missing teeth. The procedure involves attaching a prosthetic tooth or teeth to the adjacent natural teeth or dental implants, creating a bridge over the gap. Bridges can be made of various materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys and can help improve the patient’s ability to chew, speak, and maintain proper oral hygiene.

When To Get A Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that ‘bridges’ the gap created by one or more missing teeth. They are anchored in place by the teeth on either side of the gap, which are called abutment teeth. The artificial tooth that replaces the missing one is known as a pontic. You might need a dental bridge in the following situations:

• Missing One or More Teeth in a Row: Dental bridges are ideal when you’re missing one or a few teeth in a row and have healthy teeth on either side of the gap. These healthy teeth serve as anchors for the bridge.
• A Fixed Solution: If you prefer a tooth replacement option that doesn’t need to be removed for cleaning, like dentures, a dental bridge may be a good option. Bridges are fixed prosthetics that function like natural teeth.
• Healthy Supporting Teeth: For a dental bridge to succeed, the abutment teeth (those on either side of the gap) must be strong and healthy enough to support the bridge.
• Improvement in Aesthetics: If missing teeth are affecting your smile and facial aesthetics, a dental bridge can restore the natural look of your teeth and improve your smile.
• Restoring Functionality: If missing teeth are hindering your ability to chew or speak properly, a dental bridge can help restore these functions.
• Preventing Misalignment: Missing teeth can cause the remaining teeth to shift over time, leading to a misaligned bite. A dental bridge can prevent this by filling in the gap and maintaining the structure of the dental arch.

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Dental Crowns

Crowns are restorative dental components that cover your existing tooth entirely, effectively reinforcing, reshaping, and disguising your tooth in the event of severe discoloration or damage. Like bridges, crowns can also be made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys and help you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.

When To Get A Dental Crown

• When you have a broken or cracked tooth: Dental accidents happen, but a dental crown can restore your damaged tooth to its full function and prevent further issues.
• After you get a root canal: A crown provides strength and stability to your tooth after root canal treatment.
• If you need to cover a large filling: A crown can reinforce your remaining tooth structure and prevent it from breaking when your filling is too big.
• If you have a misshapen or discolored tooth: Crowns can improve the aesthetics of your smile by correcting any dental imperfections such as staining, chips, or cracks.
• When you need to support a dental bridge: Crowns act as anchors for a dental bridge, helping you to replace missing teeth and restore your bite.

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Dental Implants

Dental implants are a restorative service we offer in Arlington, TX. It is used to replace missing teeth permanently. The procedure involves surgically inserting a titanium post into the jawbone, which acts as an artificial tooth root. The post then fuses with the surrounding bone, providing a stable base for the prosthetic tooth or teeth to be attached.

When To Get A Dental Implant

Dental implants are a popular and effective long-term solution for people who suffer from missing teeth, failing teeth, or chronic dental problems. They are essentially artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws, that, when placed in your jawbone, bond with your natural bone. A replacement tooth, or crown, is then placed on top of the implant.

You might need dental implants in the following circumstances:

• Loss of a Single Tooth or Multiple Teeth: Whether due to injury, decay, or gum disease, if you’ve lost a tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants can be an excellent option. They provide a near-natural replacement that doesn’t affect the surrounding healthy teeth.
• Inadequate Support for Dentures or Bridges: If you’re unable to comfortably wear dentures or if your natural teeth aren’t strong enough to support a dental bridge, implants could be a more suitable solution.
• Bone Loss in the Jaw: Dental implants can help stimulate bone growth, so they’re a good option if you’ve experienced bone loss in your jaw. They’re the only dental restoration option that preserves and stimulates natural bone.
• Difficulty Eating and Speaking: If missing or damaged teeth are hindering your ability to chew food properly or speak clearly, implants can restore these essential functions.
• Desire for a Permanent Solution: Dental implants are often the best choice if you’re looking for a durable and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. They’re designed to fuse with your bone, making them a permanent fixture in your mouth.
• Aesthetic Considerations: Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. If you want a tooth replacement option that seamlessly fits your existing teeth and improves your smile, dental implants could be the right choice.

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The Benefits of Restorative Dentistry

• Avoid pain caused by untreated cavities and tooth decay.
• Restores the function of your teeth, allowing you to chew and speak properly.
• Replacing missing teeth preserves the strength of the jawbone and the surrounding teeth.
• Restoring or replacing damaged or missing teeth will positively affect the appearance of your smile.

Why You Should Replace Missing Teeth

If you have missing teeth, you might think it’s simply a cosmetic problem. While it’s true that missing teeth can impact your smile and self-esteem, the reasons to replace them stretch far beyond just aesthetics. Here are some reasons why you should consider replacing missing teeth:

• Preventing Bone Loss: One of the lesser-known implications of missing teeth is bone loss in your jaw. When a tooth is missing, the bone that was once supporting this tooth lacks the stimulation it needs to regenerate, leading to its gradual loss. Over time, this can alter the contours of your face, causing premature aging. Dental implants are one of the best solutions for this, as they are inserted into the bone, providing the necessary stimulation to prevent bone loss.
• Maintaining Proper Alignment: Teeth support each other. When one is missing, the remaining teeth will slowly shift position to fill in the gap, leading to potential misalignment. This can cause bite problems, difficulty in cleaning the teeth properly, and increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
• Enhancing Digestive Health: Teeth play a pivotal role in digestion. They are responsible for breaking down food into smaller pieces for easier digestion. Missing teeth can hinder this process, forcing you to swallow larger pieces of food and potentially leading to digestive issues.
• Preserving Speech Clarity: The teeth are essential for speech. They help us to form words correctly. Missing teeth can alter your speech, making it harder for you to pronounce certain words and potentially impacting your confidence when communicating with others.
• Boosting Self-Esteem: Beyond functional reasons, replacing missing teeth can greatly enhance your self-esteem. Feeling confident about your smile can positively impact your social interactions, personal life, and even your professional life.
• Reducing the Risk of Further Dental Issues: Having gaps in your mouth can increase the risk of further dental problems, such as cavities and gum disease. Filling these gaps can keep your oral health in check.

Given these reasons, it’s evident that replacing missing teeth is crucial not just for aesthetic purposes but also for maintaining oral health, overall health, and quality of life. Dental implants, bridges, or dentures are among the options you can consider. Always consult with our dentist in Arlington to determine the best solution for your specific needs and circumstances.

Advanced Treatment Technology

Our high-tech facility in Arlington allows us to use advanced dental equipment such as the BIOLASE dental laser system (which allows for “no needle” fillings) and intra-oral cameras to keep our patients far more comfortable during their procedures, as well as reduce the time that many procedures take. Our team is committed to remaining at the forefront of modern dentistry.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Dentists!

When it comes to restorative dentistry, Pecan Park Dental is a leader in the field. We have a team of experienced and highly trained professionals who specialize in a wide range of dental procedures. Dr. Bangs, Dr. Olson, and Dr. Nguyen have a collective wealth of knowledge and expertise that allows them to provide personalized care tailored to your specific needs, whether that involves fillings, crowns, implants, bridges, or dentures.

Our goal is to ensure that visiting our dental practice in Arlington is never a daunting experience. We’ve crafted an atmosphere that’s as welcoming as it is professional. We prioritize your comfort and peace of mind at every step, from our modern, well-equipped facilities to the friendliness of our staff.

What sets Pecan Park Dental apart the most is our commitment to building relationships. We see our patients as more than just their dental needs. We take the time to get to know you to understand your lifestyle, preferences, and fears. By fostering this connection, we can provide care that truly fits your life.

So if you’re seeking exceptional restorative dentistry in Arlington, we invite you to discover the Pecan Park Dental difference. Your smile, your health, and your comfort are our priorities. We’re here to help you on your journey to better dental health!