COVID-19: Office Updates

Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff.

Read More: Letter To Our Patients (05/22/2020)

Updated: Patient Forms

Restorative Dentistry

Mature couple smiling after restorative dental treatments at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry

Many people do not think about scheduling a visit with us until they have a problem that needs urgently addressed, such as sharp pain in a tooth or unexpected trauma to the mouth. While dental emergencies certainly are something that we can take care of here at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry, that is just one of the many reasons that you can receive treatment from us. Whether you have lost a tooth or are in danger of having one extracted, we can help you with a wide array of restorative dental concerns, allowing you to have a healthy and attractive smile.

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Sometimes a tooth can become at risk of being lost, either from trauma or from tooth decay. Restorative dentistry is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on keeping these teeth healthy and strong in your mouth. If you do lose a tooth, restorative dentistry can help replace your missing teeth, preventing problems from arising later on.

There are several different areas of restorative dentistry that we can work on with our patients. These include restorations such as crowns, bridges, and tooth-colored fillings. We also work with dentures and dental implants, and for patients who have a severe infection, we can also provide them with root canal therapy.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Dental fillings can help preserve a tooth that has been affected by tooth decay. While metal amalgam fillings were popular in the past, today we like to use tooth-colored filling materials when we work on our patients. The materials that we use are generally a combination of silica in a resin base, called composite resin, or porcelain. These materials can be dyed to match your surrounding teeth and are great for patients who would like a dental restoration, but do not want to call needless attention to their filling.

Dental Crowns

Also known as caps, dental crowns are a type of restoration that helps treat a tooth that has been severely damaged by tooth decay or injury. It can cover a cavity that is too deep for a filling. Porcelain is a popular choice for this restoration as it looks natural and is durable. Crowns can treat not only teeth that have been injured or affected by tooth decay, but also teeth that have been worn down by erosion, have severe stains, or a tooth that has recently undergone root canal therapy.

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a procedure that helps save a tooth that has been greatly damaged by a severe infection. When the pulp inside your tooth “dies,” the tooth may be lost. A root canal removes all of the infection from the tooth, allowing the tooth to be saved. We typically cover the tooth that has received root canal therapy with a crown to help it be strong and durable.

Dentures

If you have suffered from tooth loss, please know that you are not alone. Nearly 80 percent of all adult Americans are also missing at least one of their teeth. When you are missing an entire arch of teeth (the upper or the bottom row of teeth), you may be a good candidate for dentures. These are a good option for patients who would like to replace their teeth but may not want surgery to do so.

Dental Bridges

If you have lost one or two teeth, a dental bridge can be helpful to restore your smile. These consist of two supporting teeth, covered by crowns, on either side of the lost tooth. They will hold the pontic, the restoration that resembles a tooth, in place. This can help improve not only the appearance of your smile but your bite force, too. A dental bridge looks and feel naturals and can last you a long time if you take good care of it.

Dental Implants

For those who want a permanent restoration for their tooth loss, dental implants may be exactly what they need. They can replace as little as one tooth and as many as every one of your teeth. They are made of three main components, which include the post, the abutment, and the restoration. They are surgically placed directly into the jawbone, beneath the gums, and fuse to your jaw to create a strong and sturdy restoration that looks and feels just like your real teeth.

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

If you are interested in learning more about restorative dentistry and how it can benefit you, or to set up an appointment with us for a consultation for any of these procedures, please give us here at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry a call today at (803) 310-4707!