These restorations are used to replace a tooth that cannot be “saved” with root canal therapy. When many or all teeth are missing or need to be extracted, dental systems replicate both the teeth and gum tissue. Modern tooth replacement options can also replicate the portion of teeth that cannot be seen: the roots. When healthy, these structures hold teeth securely in place. Dental implants represent a breakthrough in the way that replacement teeth are designed, as the cylindrical-shaped implant itself is placed in the jaw and becomes part of the surrounding bone. So, it can function like a natural tooth root. The replacement teeth are then connected to the implant. Patients have confidence that their bridges and dentures are not going anywhere.
Examples: dental bridges, removable partial dentures, removable complete dentures, implant-retained bridges, implant-supported partial dentures, implant-retained complete dentures.
Dr. Scola generally recommends the most conservative type of restoration that can effectively rebuild or replace the tooth. Extraction is always considered to be the last resort.

Shaped like a cylinder, dental implants are placed in the jaw. They are made from a biocompatible material that joins the surrounding bone as part of a natural process (“osseointegration”). Once the implant is integrated into the jawbone, it functions as a root to hold the tooth in place.

Depending on your needs, implants may be used to support a single tooth, a few teeth, many teeth, or a mouthful of replacement teeth. Since these artificial teeth are held in place by implants in the jaw that function like natural tooth roots, you don’t have to worry about dentures that slip when you eat, laugh, or speak. Your new teeth aren’t going anywhere! Designed like natural teeth, you take care of implant-supported bridges with the typical consistent brushing, flossing, and visits to our office. No specialized floss threaders are needed to clean implant-supported bridges.

Notably, one of the greatest benefits of implant systems is their ability to keep your bone strong. Just like with your muscles, if you do not use the bone in your jaw (via functions such as grinding and mashing food), you lose it. Every time you chew food, the energy from that action is transferred through the tooth down into the jaw due to the connection between your artificial teeth and the implant. Conventional dentures and bridges do not have that “root” in the jawbone. So, they cannot transfer the energy required to keep your bone strong from the overlying tooth to the underlying jaw.

The best-restored tooth is the one you never have to think about. You are not reminded of treatment every time you look in the mirror and see silver or gray areas. You do not have to hide your smile because you are not confident about the appearance of your dental work. Aside from the obvious cosmetic benefit and the fact that our patients smile, laugh, and speak confidently and freely, composite resin fillings are also:
● Conservative – All fillings require that areas of decay and damage be removed, and that natural tooth structure be shaped to accommodate the filling material. Generally, composite resin fillings require that less healthy natural tooth structure be removed than when placing fillings made from other materials, such as metals or amalgams.
● Durable – Due to the dental material itself, as well as the techniques that are used to bond or fix the filling in place, composite resin is considered to be a long-lasting type of restoration. The structural integrity of the reconstructed tooth depends, at least partly, on the amount of natural tissue that is removed to make room for the restoration. Composite fillings preserve natural tooth structure for lasting durability and the most natural appearance and feel in the mouth.

The natural crown is the part of the tooth visible above the gumline. Artificial crowns are designed to replicate that visible, white part of the tooth. They are made from dental materials that resemble, feel, and function like natural tooth structures. Crowns (or “caps”) are shaped to fit precisely over natural tooth structure, almost the same way a crown or cap fits over a person’s head. After removing the decayed tissue, we make an impression of the tooth to be treated. We use an intraoral scanner and CAD/CAM technology to design and fabricate your crown in the office as you wait. Once the crown is ready, we will check that all looks and feels excellent before permanently “fixing” the crown.

Porcelain is coveted for many cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. It shares the same properties as natural tooth enamel, including how porcelain reflects light. Dental porcelain is durable and biocompatible. So, the material gets along well with surrounding tissues and does not pose risks of allergic reactions or other sensitivities.

Regardless of the material used to make your crown, these restorations are designed to be cared for like natural teeth. They will serve you well for many years if you care for them with consistent brushing, flossing, a balanced diet, routine check-ups, and cleanings at our Murrieta, California office.

There are many factors to consider when deciding the best denture system for you. We may find that you would be happiest with dentures that are supported by dental implants placed in the jaw. These implants function like tooth roots. So, they hold your denture in place and help to support strong bone. We look forward to introducing you to today’s modern, natural dentures during a visit to our Murrieta, CA office, serving patients in Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Sun City, Canyon Lake, and the surrounding areas.

You may worry that a crown made the same day you visit could prove to be weaker or provide less durability than crowns created at an off-site lab — nothing could be further from the truth! Same-day crowns provide the same strength and durability as any crown made in the past at an off-site lab. We would never trade convenience for quality, which is why you can trust that a same-day dental crown will be just as strong and durable. You will love your new same-day crown.