Complete Restorative Dentistry in Columbia
While dental hygiene and regular dental visits go a long way in preventing problems, you may still experience cavities, gum disease, or trauma. At Hutton Family Dentistry, we provide comprehensive restorations to promote optimal oral health.
If you are in Boston and are unhappy with your smile, Dr. Emalie Hutton, DDS, and her team can give you long-lasting restorative solutions. Call us today to book your appointment and begin your journey towards a healthier smile!
CALL US: (931) 388-1935 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What are the Benefits of Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry focuses on preventing future oral problems and helping you regain your natural smile by repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing ones. Restoration procedures can correct your dental imperfections, remove discomfort, and get your smile back on track. Our treatments protect your teeth from further damage and help preserve your natural dental structure.
Why Should You Replace Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth can make eating and speaking challenging and impact your self-confidence. Also, the remaining teeth may move into the open space, causing alignment issues and affecting facial symmetry. Replacing missing teeth can help you:
- Eat and speak properly
- Improve smile aesthetics
- Preserve facial structure
- Restore overall oral health
At Hutton Family Dentistry, our team is passionate about helping you smile with confidence using advanced technology, skill, and knowledge. Our materials are of the highest quality, and we carry out each procedure in a safe and comfortable environment to ensure that you are satisfied with your results.
How Can Composite Fillings Help Me?
We use fillings to repair damaged teeth as they preserve and protect the remaining tooth from further damage. Fillings are ideal for you if you have a small or medium cavity. They seal the area and support the integrity of the tooth and your bite.
There are several different types of materials used to fit your unique needs. Porcelain, amalgam (a mixture of metals), and tooth-colored composite fillings differ in durability and appearance.
Our practice offers composite fillings that match the color of your natural enamel. Composite bonds securely and strengthens your tooth for added support. While this material is primarily used for cavities and small chips, we also offer amalgam for those who prefer them.
Protect Your Smile with Porcelain Crowns
Crowns are custom-made caps that encase the tooth to repair cavities that are too big for fillings, breaks, and chips. They resemble your natural tooth and protect it from further damage while restoring your chewing ability.
Dental crowns are useful for many types of treatments. They can complete a dental implant to replace missing teeth or provide protection after root canal therapy. Crowns can improve your smile aesthetics by covering imperfections like deep discoloration.
Dental crowns come in a variety of materials ranging from gold alloys and porcelain to ceramic. Porcelain crowns are popular and provide the closest color-match to natural teeth. They are suitable for both the front and back teeth and can last up to 15 years with proper care and maintenance.
What is the Crown Process?
Getting your dental crowns will take you two dental appointments. During your first appointment, Dr. Hutton will numb your tooth before cleaning out any decay and shaping your tooth's surface to achieve the perfect fit for your crown. Then we will take an impression of your tooth to create your custom crowns. After about two weeks, your crown will be ready.
During your second appointment, Dr. Hutton will remove your temporary crown and clean your tooth before placing your permanent crown. We will affix it with a strong adhesive and check your bite to ensure that the fit is correct. Our team will demonstrate proper care and maintenance to help your new tooth last for many years.
Fixed Bridge Restorations
A fixed bridge is a non-removable prosthetic used to fill the gaps left by missing teeth. They consist of a false tooth suspended between two crowns attached to healthy teeth on either side of the gap for support. Bridges can replace up to three missing teeth to restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Fixed bridges are highly reliable and long-lasting, though you may have to replace or repair them over time due to normal wear and tear. Dental bridges serve a variety of functions, which include:
- Replacing missing teeth
- Preventing teeth from shifting out of alignment
- Preserving a natural-looking smile
- Restoring full function and a healthy bite
At Hutton Family Dentistry, our team will discuss your options for tooth replacement and recommend the best solution to meet your unique dental needs.
Save Your Tooth with Root Canal Therapy
When you have an infection or decay that moves into the inside of the tooth, root canal therapy becomes necessary. You may also need this treatment if you experience damage due to trauma.
Root canal therapy is used to save the tooth by removing the infection and adding a medicated material to protect it. The procedure is no more painful than a filling. Dr. Hutton will numb your tooth and the area around it before cleaning and sealing it.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
Some symptoms that may signal you need root canal therapy include:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Abscess, swelling or tenderness on your gums
If your case is complicated or damage is extensive, we will send you to our specialist for treatment or extraction if necessary. Our team will guide you every step of the way and will help you determine your best option for tooth replacement after extraction.
What are Dental Implants, and How do They Work?
Dental implants are the most versatile and reliable tooth replacement option as they replace both the crown and the root. A titanium post is surgically placed in the jaw and attaches to a custom crown, bridge, or denture. Dental implants promote bone health as they stimulate your jawbone. They are also easy to care for and maintain.
The dental implant process involves four steps:
- Planning: During your first visit, Dr. Hutton will assess your oral health and explain your implant procedure as well as any necessary care you may need during and after treatment.
- Placement: A specialist will attach the implants into your jawbone with utmost precision. This step may require more than one visit, depending on your condition.
- Resting: After placement, you'll need time to allow your mouth to heal. Resting also ensures that the implant fuses with the bone, increasing stability.
- Completion: When your mouth has fully healed, we will attach the custom restoration to the implant and complete the process. This final step restores your full ability to chew, speak, and smile as you would with natural teeth.
Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD) affects the joint connecting your jaw to your skull. The condition can cause pain when chewing and even headaches. Although TMJ is challenging to diagnose, the pain associated with it is usually temporary and manageable.
A healthy TMJ contributes to overall oral health. At Hutton Family Dentistry, we offer in-office TMD treatments for mild cases to ease the pressure on your jaws and alleviate pain. Splint therapy can reduce muscle pain and correct your bite using a custom appliance. Our team will assess your condition and work out an individualized treatment plan that is best for you. If your case is complicated, we will refer you to a specialist for treatment. We also offer solutions for snoring with custom mouthguards so you can enjoy quality sleep.
Restore Your Smile with Our Expert Services
Hutton Family Dentistry is happy to help you find solutions to damaged or missing teeth. We enjoy promoting optimal oral health for all of our Columbia, Mount Pleasant, and Santa Fe neighbors. Call us today and let us help you achieve a healthier and more beautiful smile!
CALL US: (931) 388-1935 REQUEST APPOINTMENT