General & Restorative
Family dentists Dr. Alex White and Dr. Kelly offer the full spectrum of general and restorative dental treatments to treat decayed or damaged teeth and replace missing teeth, including:
How Cavities Develop
Even healthy mouths are teeming with oral bacteria. When you eat simple carbohydrates, these sugary and starchy foods mix with the oral bacteria in your saliva to produce acids that can eat away at your tooth enamel. If you floss and brush with fluoride toothpaste regularly, you can help protect your tooth enamel from acid attacks. However, inadequate oral hygiene allows these acids and oral bacteria to run rampant, creating holes in the teeth called cavities.
Tooth Decay Treatment
Decay that is detected in the very earliest stages can sometimes be reversed with a professional fluoride
treatment, which remineralizes the enamel and restores its strength. However, more advanced tooth
decay in the enamel or dentin requires treatment with a filling. If decay reaches the center of the tooth,
a root canal treatment is necessary.
Types of Fillings
Our dentists use two types of filling materials: amalgam and composite resin. Amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, are less expensive and durable. Due to their dark appearance, they are most often used on out-of-sight back teeth. Composite resin fillings are tinted to match the coloration of surrounding teeth, so they are a great choice to repair damaged teeth that are highly visible. Tooth-colored fillings also require less tooth reduction than amalgam fillings, and they chemically bond to the teeth to provide added support to the tooth structure.
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Crowns and Bridges
A crown, also known as a “cap,” is a tooth restoration that completely encases the portion of the tooth that rests above the gumline. Crowns are indicated for a wide range of dental issues, including advanced decay that requires more than a filling, broken teeth, and cosmetic problems. Crowns are also used to anchor dental bridges in place, and they are placed atop dental implants to restore tooth function and appearance after teeth are pulled.
Types of Crowns
Your family dentist offers the full spectrum of dental crowns to meet every patient’s unique needs for appearance, and functionality, including the following:
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Full Cast: These types of crowns are cast from metals ranging from chrome alloys to gold. Less tooth structure needs to be removed when placing full-cast crowns, and they are long lasting and durable. The main drawback is their metallic appearance, which makes them a good choice for molars rather than front teeth.
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Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM): Combining the durability of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain, PFM crowns have a metal base that is covered with natural-looking ceramic materials, making them a good choice for molars or front teeth.
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All Ceramic: Made entirely of porcelain materials, all-ceramic crowns are the ideal choice for front teeth. While not as durable as full-cast or PFM crowns, ceramic crowns have the iridescent, light-reflecting qualities of natural teeth and create optimal aesthetics for an attractive smile.
Placement of Crowns
After your family dentist makes you comfortable with local anesthesia and any other necessary comfort amenities, he or she will remove the damaged portion of the tooth and then shape it for optimal bonding to the crown. Next, an impression of your newly shaped tooth will be made so that your hard restorations can be created in a dental laboratory. You may be fitted with a temporary restoration to wear in the meantime. Once your crown is created, you will return to Fox River Family Dentistry for a second appointment, at which time your restoration will be securely bonded to your tooth.
Bridges
A dental bridge can replace a single missing tooth or a few adjacent teeth.
Also called a crown and bridge system, this type of tooth restoration consists
of one or more artificial teeth that are connected to dental crowns on each
end. To place a bridge, your family dentist will prepare the teeth on either
side of the gap for crowns. After your bridge is created in a dental laboratory,
Dr. Alex or Dr. Kelly will place it by cementing the crowns to the prepared teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
Most people recoil at the mention of the dreaded root canal, but did you know that treatment advances have rendered this procedure no more uncomfortable than any other dental treatment? With modern anesthesia and sedation methods, you can easily tolerate this tooth-saving procedure and will quickly learn that a short time in our dental chair is preferable to the pain that an infected tooth causes.
Why Root Canal Therapy Is Needed
At Fox River Family Dentistry, our goal is to help patients hold onto their teeth for a lifetime. While tooth replacement methods have come a long way, nothing beats the strength of natural teeth. When tooth decay is not treated in the early stages, it progresses through the enamel and dentin and eventually makes its way to the pulp. This soft center is the “living” portion of the tooth that is filled with blood vessels and nerves. When the pulp is exposed by a large cavity or deep fracture, it collects food debris and bacteria, which causes a painful infection. Unlike most parts of the body, the tooth cannot self-heal. Once an infection has set in, the only way to eliminate it is to remove the tissues inside the pulp chamber and root canals and fill the empty space to strengthen and protect the tooth. This is called a root canal treatment or endodontic therapy. After the nerves are removed, you will have no feeling in that tooth, but it will look and function normally because the pulp serves little purpose after tooth development other than sending pain signals.
How a Root Canal Treatment Is Performed
Once your family dentist thoroughly numbs the area surrounding the infected tooth, he or she will create an opening in the tooth crown to gain access to the pulp chamber. Using small precision dental instruments, Dr. Alex or Dr. Kelly will remove all of the infected tissues, reshape the walls of the root canals, and thoroughly clean the area. The tooth is then filled with a special filling material. You will likely also need a crown placed on the tooth, especially if extensive decay has weakened the tooth structure.
Extractions
Our dentists typically avoid extracting teeth if possible. If other options, such as a crown or a root canal procedure, can help save the tooth, that is what we recommend. However, if a tooth suffers extensive damage because of an injury, advanced periodontal disease, or deep decay, we may have to remove it to preserve your oral and overall health.
Most tooth extractions can be performed right here in our office. We have the equipment to handle
routine and some surgical extractions comfortably and safely. During a typical extraction, we'll numb the
area around the tooth to ensure you don't feel any pain. Then, we use specialized instruments to
remove the tooth.
However, there are cases where a tooth extraction might be more complex. This could be due to factors
like the tooth's position, its roots, or your overall health. In such situations, it's in your best interest to
be referred to an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons are specialists who have extensive training and experience
in handling difficult extractions and complex dental issues. They can perform more complicated
procedures, ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the process.
Post-Extraction Care
Immediately after your tooth is pulled, you will be asked to bite on a piece of sterile gauze. This helps a
blood clot form in the tooth socket, and it is a critical step in the healing process. For the first 24 hours
after an extraction, you shouldn’t rinse your mouth, smoke, or use a straw because these actions may
dislodge the clot. After the first day, you should be able to rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Your
general dentist will provide you with detailed post-procedure instructions, which you should follow to
the letter to avoid complications such as infection.
Dentures
A denture is a removable dental appliance that serves as a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. It is custom-made to fit the unique contours of your mouth, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits. Dentures are typically made of acrylic, metal, or a combination of materials.
There are two main types of dentures: complete dentures and partial dentures.
Complete Dentures:
Full Dentures: If you've lost all of your teeth, a full or complete denture is designed to replace all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw, or both.
Immediate Dentures: These are placed immediately after the removal of any remaining natural teeth. After tooth extractions, your gums and underlying bone will undergo a healing process. This healing can cause changes in the shape of your oral tissues, and as a result, your immediate dentures may begin to feel a bit loose. This is completely normal, and it's a natural part of the healing journey.
Around six months after your initial placement, you'll likely need what we call a 'hard reline.' This involves modifying the base of your denture to better fit the changes in your gums and bone structure. In the meantime, if you experience any discomfort or find that your dentures are not as stable as you'd like, you can use denture adhesives. Additionally, if you find that your dentures need more immediate attention due to discomfort or looseness, we can perform what is known as a 'soft reline' right here in the office. This involves adding a pliable material to the denture base for a temporary improvement in fit
and comfort.
Partial Dentures:
If you still have some of your natural teeth, a partial denture may be recommended. Partial dentures consist of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored base, often connected by a metal framework that holds the denture in place.
Impressions and Measurements: To create dentures that fit well, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth. These impressions, along with precise measurements, help in the fabrication of dentures tailored to the unique shape of your oral structures.
Fitting and Adjustments: Once the dentures are ready, you'll have a fitting appointment. Your dentist will ensure that the dentures fit properly and make any necessary adjustments to improve comfort and functionality.
Support and Stability: Dentures rely on the support provided by your gums and, in the case of partial dentures, the remaining natural teeth. They are designed to stay in place through a combination of a snug fit, suction, and sometimes the use of dental adhesives.
Learning to Eat and Speak: Adjusting to dentures may take some time. Initially, you may need to practice eating and speaking to become comfortable with the dentures in your mouth. It's important to note that dentures may need periodic adjustments or replacements over time due to changes in the mouth's structure, wear and tear, or other factors. If you have any concerns or questions about dentures, don't hesitate to discuss them with your dentist.
What Our Clients Say
Dental Implant
A dental implant is a titanium post that serves as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This creates a strong and stable foundation for the replacement tooth.
Implant process:
It begins with a consultation with your dentist. An examination of your teeth and gums, as well as X-rays, will be conducted to determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.
The dental implant will be surgically placed into the jawbone. Over the following 4-6 months the jawbone will naturally fuse with the titanium implant in a process called osseointegration. This integration is crucial for the stability and success of the implant.
Once osseointegration is complete and the implant is firmly anchored in the jaw your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create a customized abutment and crown, bridge, or denture. The restoration is designed to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
The final restoration is then securely attached to the abutment, completing the dental implant process.
