Fixing Teeth
Very often people develop problems with teeth that include: tooth decay, chipped or broken teeth, or sometimes worn down or badly stained teeth.
At Valley Dental Clinic we can repair all your tooth problems using the most up to date materials and methods available. We will use tooth colored ceramic or composite (plastic) fillings, crowns, onlays, or veneers, to satisfy all your needs with teeth at the front or back of your mouth.
We have however moved away from the use of amalgam (mercury + metal powder) fillings, and that type of filling is not provided. We can however provide beautiful and long lasting gold crowns on teeth if you want them.
We can also save teeth with damaged or infected pulp through painless and efficient root canal treatment.
If you are missing teeth, they can easily be replaced with crowns or bridges using your existing teeth or over top of dental implants. These are permanently secured teeth.
In other situations you may prefer or need removable partial or full dentures with or without dental implant support.
Dr. Levin has worked hard over his career to be proficient and provide excellence in these areas. He continues to pursue the best available education in new advancements to best serve you.
Fillings/Restorations
Restorations are the various means by which your dentist protects, preserves, or saves your teeth. Teeth may be damaged in numerous ways, most commonly by dental caries (decay or cavities). Other ways that teeth become damaged are through periodontal disease, trauma, or simply breakage from internal weakening. We use the most up to date materials and methods available, such as, tooth colored ceramic fillings to restore teeth.
Root Canal
When the nerve of your tooth becomes infected, a successful root canal treatment lets you keep the tooth rather than having an extraction. Keeping your tooth helps to prevent your other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems. Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is the process of removing infected or dead pulp from your tooth. When bacteria enters your tooth through deep cavities, cracks or faulty fillings, your tooth can become abscessed. If pulp becomes infected, it needs to be removed. An abscessed tooth may cause pain and/or swelling. After a root canal treatment, your tooth has to be restored with a filling or a crown. The choice of restoration will depend on the strength of the part of the tooth that’s left. Crowns are normally recommended for back teeth because chewing puts a great deal of force making the tooth prone to fracture.
Crowns
A crown is a type of restoration that protects the tooth. It may be used to restore and preserve decayed, broken, or cracked teeth. It may also be the choice of restoration for a root canal treated teeth or for cosmetic reasons to help you recover your smile. The procedure may take 2 appointments. At the first visit the dentist will prepare your tooth for your new crown. Local anesthetic is used to ensure your comfort during the procedure. He will also take an impression to send to the dental lab to make your new crown, and will make you a temporary crown to protect the tooth until your new crown is made. At the next appointment, he will cement your new crown. Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or gold. Porcelain crowns give the teeth a more natural appearance.
Bridges
If you are missing teeth, they can easily be replaced with a bridge using your existing teeth. A bridge is a way to replace one or more missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth makes it easier to chew. It can improve your appearance. It also helps keep your teeth, gums, and jaw healthy. Spaces left by missing teeth affect the rest of your teeth. Restoring them with a fixed bridge involves the preparation of the adjacent teeth to make crowns to support the tooth replacing the missing space. The procedure involves 2 appointments. First, the adjacent teeth are prepared for crowns and an impression is taken to send to the dental lab to make your new bridge, and a temporary bridge is made. At the second appointment, your permanent bridge is cemented.
Dental Implants
This procedure is used to replace missing teeth. When a fixed bridge is used to replace a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth are prepared for crowns in order to support the tooth replacing the missing space. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant supported crown leaves the adjacent teeth intact in their natural form. It also replaces tooth root, which preserves the bone. The procedure involves a consultation with the periodontist who will place the implant, and let it heal for about three months to ensure that the bone can remodel around the implant and form a strong bond. After your three month check up, the implant site is ready for an implant supported crown. Your dentist will take an impression to send to the lab to fabricate the crown and 2 weeks later, your new crown is cemented.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture replaces missing teeth in a non-invasive way. It is a dental removable prosthesis. When teeth are missing, chewing can become difficult and uncomfortable and natural teeth tend to drift into the space left by the missing teeth. The procedure involves several appointments to ensure your partial denture fits properly.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures replace all missing teeth. This will benefit your oral health and appearance.
Cosmetic Treatment
Cosmetic dentistry includes a variety of dental treatments to improve the appearance of the teeth using bleaching, bonding, veneers, implants, or orthodontics.
Bleaching
Whitening teeth is the best way to remove stains that are in the outer layer of the tooth. We use the custom tray whitening system. This procedure involves taking an impression to make you custom trays that you can use at home by applying the bleach gel to your teeth. Results can usually be achieved in about 2 weeks.
Dr. Levin will meet with you for a consultation appointment to discuss the best treatment to achieve maximum function and the best aesthetics of your teeth.