Restorative Dentistry in Folsom

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dental treatments are a group of procedures that repair and enhance dentition to get patients back to exceptional oral health. From repairing cavities with simple fillings to replacing teeth with dental bridges or dentures, restorative treatment can help your smile become healthy once again.

Restorative dentists in Folsom

Did you know…

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The longer you leave a dental issue untreated, the more severe and more costly it becomes.

Ready to schedule your appointment?

call (916) 983-6051

What to expect at your initial restorative appointment

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Comprehensive Exam

To begin, Dr. Skelton will examine your teeth and assess the extent of your dental issue. X-rays may need to be taken at this time to ensure proper diagnosis.

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Recommended Treatment Plan

Once your issue has been diagnosed, your dentist will provide you with a recommended treatment plan for your approval.

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Alternative Options

Many dental issues have multiple treatment options. Missing teeth, for example, can be treated with dentures, dental bridges, or dental implants. Dr. Skelton can discuss all options with you and help you choose what’s best for your lifestyle, budget and needs.

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Sedation Options

We offer sedation for patients undergoing restorative procedures to keep them more comfortable and relaxed during treatment. Your dentist will discuss the available sedation options and offer recommendations on what’s best for you.

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Schedule & Follow Up

In some cases, like emergencies, you’ll need to receive care right away, likely the same day. But if your issue is not urgent, your follow-up appointments will be after your initial visit. Before you leave, we’ll schedule your treatment for a day and time that works for you.

Restorative Treatment Options

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Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are the best way to treat and fill cavities in decayed teeth. Your dentist will use a drill to remove damage and decay in the enamel of your tooth. Then, they will use a white, tooth-colored dental resin to restore the shape and structure of your tooth. Timely intervention with a filling is essential if you have a cavity. If left untreated for too long, your tooth could decay further and potentially require a dental crown and/or root canal therapy.

Lab-Made Crowns

Lab-made crowns are made with the help of a dental technician at an outside dental lab. We proudly partner with top quality laboratories that staff experienced, unparalleled cosmetic technicians. Dental crowns restore damaged teeth by covering the entire tooth down to the gumline. Your dentist will trim your tooth to remove damaged material, then shape it into a strong, sturdy platform to which the crown will eventually be attached.

Impressions are taken of the tooth using dental trays and putty or a digital intraoral scanner. These impressions are then sent to the dental lab where your crown will be made out of a high-quality material, such as ceramic or porcelain. 

You will receive a temporary crown during your first appointment, after your tooth has been prepared and impressions have been taken. At your second appointment, after your dental crown is complete, your dentist will permanently attach your new crown to your tooth.

Same-Day Crowns

Same-day crowns use CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Manufacturing) technology and a specialized milling machine to carve out a dental crown within minutes at your dentist’s office. 

Similarly to lab-made dental crowns, same-day crowns will restore damaged teeth by covering the entire tooth down to the gumline. Your dentist will trim your tooth to remove damaged material, then shape it into a strong, sturdy platform to which the crown will eventually be attached.

Dr. Skelton will take a 3D scan of your teeth and upload the images to a computer. Those images are then sent to the milling machine, which immediately begins to craft your crown. Your crown will be complete in just a few minutes, and then your doctor will attach it permanently. This process allows you to get immediate same-day care and a crown in a single appointment.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge uses two dental crowns to suspend a pontic, or false tooth, in the gap where a natural tooth has been lost. The crowns are attached to healthy abutment teeth — the teeth adjacent to your missing tooth. A metal framework is often used to attach the false tooth to the crowns. A dental bridge can last for years and prevent your other teeth from shifting over time.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is the best way to treat an infected tooth. Teeth become infected when the vulnerable pulp inside the tooth and root canals is exposed to oral bacteria. This can happen if you crack your tooth during an accident or injury, or if you experience severe tooth decay.

Your endodontist will start the procedure by numbing your mouth. They will then drill a hole in the enamel in order to access and remove any decayed material from the interior of your tooth all the way down to the roots. To ensure the endodontist is providing optimal care, they will use a microscope throughout the procedure. Your roots will be thoroughly cleaned and then filled with an inert material to maintain the structure and integrity of the tooth. To complete the procedure, your dentist will recommend either a dental filling or dental crown that will protect and restore your tooth.

Full & Partial Dentures

Partial dentures use false teeth and a metal and plastic framework to replace one or multiple missing teeth. They clip directly onto your remaining healthy teeth, restoring your smile, your bite, and your self-confidence. They are a convenient and affordable way to get your smile back, and typically don’t take too long to create.

Full dentures are used to replace the upper arch, lower arch, or both arches of your teeth. They are only used if you have more serious dental health issues or have lost most or all of your natural teeth. This is because you must have all remaining teeth extracted in order to have a full set of dentures fitted.

Extractions

Basic extractions are typically used for teeth that have been damaged by oral injuries, gum disease, or tooth decay. We will always try to save your tooth first, but sometimes extraction may be necessary.

For example, if a tooth is severely infected, it may not be possible to save it with a root canal. Instead, your dentist may recommend an extraction. Restorative treatment, like a dental implant, a dental bridge, or a partial denture, can be used to replace your missing tooth.

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, and are a natural part of our mouths. However, they grow in much later than the rest of our teeth, usually between the ages of 17-25. Because of this, many people do not have enough space in their mouths for wisdom teeth, particularly if they have had orthodontic work.

That means that the wisdom teeth can cause issues with your other teeth when they begin to erupt. They may cause your other teeth to shift and become misaligned, or they may become impacted and get infected. Wisdom teeth tend to cause discomfort, which is why most people choose to have them extracted when they begin to emerge.

Before and after

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Did you know…

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Tooth enamel is the hardest structure in the human body; even harder than the femur bone!

Interested in restorative services?

call (916) 983-6051

Have questions about restorative dentistry? Get the answers.

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What dental problems can restorative dentistry solve?

Restorative dentistry is used to restore damaged and missing teeth. Tooth damage or loss often occurs due to issues like untreated cavities, severe decay, and gum disease. But issues can also happen due to oral trauma or injury, like a slip and fall or an accident.

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What are the benefits of restorative dental treatment?

Restorative dental treatment helps you avoid future complications and more costly treatment options. Leaving a damaged or missing tooth untreated will often result in more serious dental issues in the future. You can save time and money by getting care right away.

You’ll also get relief from pain and discomfort, and regain your natural functionality. Imagine being able to enjoy your favorite foods once again because you’re able to bite and chew normally.

Finally, restorative dental treatment also restores your appearance. Missing or damaged teeth can look unnatural and unsightly. Restorative care allows you to regain your smile and your confidence. 

When is restorative treatment a dental emergency?

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Any dental health issue that is causing serious pain, oral discomfort, or bleeding is an emergency and likely requires emergency restorative treatment. This includes things like damaged or broken teeth, severe and prolonged toothaches, and pulled-out or lost dental work. When in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so contact your dentist in Folsom to get emergency treatment right away.

Is restorative dentistry covered by insurance?

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It often is, but the extent of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer. For example, your dental insurance plan may cover dental crowns and bridges, but may not offer coverage for dental implants. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to get a thorough understanding of your coverage and any limitations. 

Did you know…

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About 25% of American adults have no teeth. Restorative care prevents this tooth loss.

Ready for your next dental appointment?

call (916) 983-6051