Dental Health and Restorative Dentistry

Dental Health and Restorative Dentistry

Dental Health and Restorative Dentistry

Dental Health and Restorative Dentistry: How 4th Street Family Dentistry Improves Your Overall Wellness

Dental health is a vital aspect of overall well-being, and at 4th Street Family Dentistry, recognized as the Best Dentist in St. Petersburg, FL, we prioritize the restoration and maintenance of healthy smiles. 

The Foundation of Dental Health

Dental health goes beyond having a bright smile; it encompasses the well-being of your teeth, gums, and overall oral cavity. At 4th Street Family Dentistry, our approach to dental health begins with preventive care. Regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and education on proper oral hygiene lay the foundation for a healthy and resilient smile.

The Importance of Restorative Dentistry

Despite the best preventive efforts, dental issues may arise due to factors such as decay, trauma, or natural wear and tear. This is where restorative dentistry plays a crucial role. Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing and preserving the function and aesthetics of teeth, ensuring patients can enjoy a healthy and confident smile.

Customized Restorative Solutions

At 4th Street Family Dentistry, we understand that each patient’s dental needs are unique. Our skilled team offers a range of restorative solutions tailored to address individual concerns. From dental fillings to crowns, bridges, and dental implants, our goal is to provide customized treatments that restore both the form and function of your teeth.

Dental Fillings for Cavity Repair

Dental fillings are a common restorative treatment for addressing cavities caused by tooth decay. Our dental team utilizes advanced materials, including tooth-colored composite resin, to create fillings that seamlessly blend with natural teeth. This ensures effective cavity repair without compromising the aesthetics of your smile.

Dental Crowns and Bridges for Comprehensive Restoration

When a tooth is significantly damaged or lost, dental crowns and bridges offer comprehensive restoration. Crowns are used to encase a damaged tooth, providing strength and protection. Bridges, on the other hand, replace missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth. This approach not only restores the appearance of your smile but also maintains proper dental function.

Dental Implants for Permanent Tooth Replacement

For individuals with missing teeth, dental implants offer a permanent and durable solution. Our skilled practitioners at 4th Street Family Dentistry specialize in dental implant procedures, providing patients with a reliable tooth replacement option that mimics the look and function of natural teeth.

Full Mouth Reconstruction for Comprehensive Transformation

In cases of extensive dental issues, our Full Mouth Reconstruction services aim to comprehensively transform your oral health. This personalized approach combines various restorative procedures to address multiple concerns, ensuring a complete and harmonious smile makeover.

The Role of Technology in Restorative Dentistry

4th Street Family Dentistry embraces advanced dental technology to enhance the precision and efficiency of restorative procedures. From digital imaging for treatment planning to computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for creating customized restorations, our use of cutting-edge technology ensures optimal outcomes for our patients.

The Connection Between Oral and Overall Health

Maintaining good dental health is not only essential for a beautiful smile but also contributes to overall well-being. Poor oral health has been linked to various systemic conditions, emphasizing the importance of regular dental care and timely restorative interventions.

Contact Us! Rediscover Your Smile at 4th Street Family Dentistry

Your journey to optimal dental health and a radiant smile begins at 4th Street Family Dentistry in St. Petersburg, FL. As the Best Dentist in the area, our commitment to personalized care, advanced techniques, and comprehensive restorative solutions sets us apart. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your smile with confidence and comfort. At 4th Street Family Dentistry, your oral health is our priority, and we look forward to assisting you on your path to a healthier, happier smile.

How to Repair a Broken Dental Crown

4th Street Family Dentistry - How to fix a broken crown

How to Repair a Broken Dental Crown in St. Pete

Sturdy as they may seem, our teeth aren’t immune to damage. Your teeth are susceptible to tooth decay and physical trauma. That’s where dental crowns come in. Said to be the single most productive procedure performed in dental practices, dental crowns are effective ‘caps’ that are placed over damaged teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance.

Dental crowns are usually used when the tooth is too damaged for dental fillings to restore functionality properly. On average, dental crowns can last between five to fifteen years, depending on the amount of wear and tear and your oral hygiene practices. But did you know crowns can get chipped or broken just like regular teeth? If you notice a chip or fracture in your crown, contact 4th Street Family Dentistry for emergency treatment. 

Before you had your crowns installed, you probably had a conversation with your dentist in St. Petersburg, FL, to determine the type of crown that will work best for you. Crowns are usually made from a variety of different materials, and this determines how resistant they will be to damage. Ceramic and resin crowns are usually the least durable, while crowns made from base metal alloys, gold alloys, and porcelain fused with metal are highly durable.

Signs Your Dental Crown is Fractured or Broken

The best dentists in St. Petersburg, FL, will tell you that spotting a cracked or broken crown may not be easy, especially if you don’t visit the dentist regularly. Digital Doc, the maker of the best intraoral cameras, says that cracks may start out small, making it almost impossible for you to spot them with the naked eye. Seeing your St. Pete dentist twice a year will allow them to catch the issue and treat it while it’s still early.

If the crack isn’t treated soon enough, you may notice increased pain or sensitivity. The sensitivity will occcur while chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or bleeding at the affected tooth. A crown may break due to a blow to the face, a fall, grinding your teeth, wear and tear, or biting down on something hard. If your crown gets broken from physical trauma or chips off as you chew, contact an emergency dentist in St. Pete for treatment.

In certain circumstances, a painful crown may be a sign that the underlying tooth is the issue. If it can no longer support the crown, your dentist in St. Petersburg may have to extract it and install a dental implant to restore the tooth’s functionality.

What You Should Do if Your Dental Crown Breaks

While broken crowns aren’t usually considered an emergency, you may require emergency treatment if caused by a fall or blow to the face and cause intense pain. If you notice it, the first thing you ought to do is examine the area to see the extent of the damage before contacting a dentist in St. Pete for further guidance. Get a mirror and study the affected area if the broken crown is visible. Use your tongue to check for sensitivity. Are pieces of the crown missing or dislodged? Are there any jagged edges that may cut the inside of your mouth? Does the area feel sensitive to air or food?

While dentists don’t always recommend it, you may have to pull off the crown if there is a risk of swallowing it. If there is any bleeding, use a piece of gauze to gently apply pressure to the area. Dr. Ben Kacos, a sedation dentist in Shreveport, LA, says you can apply a little clove oil with a cotton swab or dental cement directly to the tooth surface if it feels sensitive. This will protect the remaining tooth and reduce the pain and sensitivity until you can finally see a dentist. 

Treatment for a Broken Crown

Make sure you see a dentist within 5-7 days of your dental crown breaking, even if it isn’t causing you too much pain. Leaving it for too long creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and leads to infection down the road. If you are afraid of brushing around the broken crown before your dentist’s appointment, you can use mouthwash or a saltwater solution after brushing to kill off bacteria.

The dentist will thoroughly clean and examine the remaining tooth and crown to assess the damage’s extent. If the crown is too damaged to be reapplied and the tooth is strong enough to hold a new dental crown, you will be fitted with a temporary crown while a new permanent crown is fabricated. Your St. Petersburg, FL dentist can also bond a composite resin to a porcelain crown to repair the crown if it has a minor crack or fracture. However, this requires a very specific porcelain repair kit, and not every dentist has it.

If it turns out that the underlying tooth was the problem, you may have to undergo a tooth extraction. Then have a dental implant installed once you heal. While they can be uncomfortable, broken dental crowns are entirely fixable. Whether through bonding with a composite resin or outright replacing them. Leaving a broken crown in could lead to more severe dental problems down the road. Are you looking for a dentist to fix a broken crown? Contact 4th Family Street Dentistry for emergency treatment today.

Must-Knows About Dental Crowns

must-knows about dental crowns

Must-Knows About Dental Crowns

You may have undergone root canal therapy recently, or you may have teeth that are severely worn down. These and other conditions may have led your dentist in St. Petersburg FL to recommend you get a dental crown. However, you are hesitant because you have limited information about these restorations. Here is a brief guide on everything you need to know about dental crowns so that you can make an informed decision about the suitability of these restorations for your needs.

Dental Crowns Defined

A tooth can be divided into two main parts. The first part that is visible below the gum line in upper teeth and above the gum line in lower teeth is called the crown. The second part, hidden beneath the gum line, is called the root of the tooth.

A dental crown is a restoration that covers most or all of the visible parts of your tooth. Dr. Brian Leeson, who performs cosmetic dentistry in St. Petersburg FL, points out that dental crowns may also be called dental caps.

Terms Associated with Crowns

The Margin. A margin refers to the edge of a dental crown that comes in contact with a tooth that has been prepared for this restoration. Dentists in St. Petersburg FL say that margins have to be smooth and devoid of ledges so they can sit firmly on the tooth.

Cusps. These are the pointed segments on the teeth that tear and chew food. A dental crown is necessary to repair a tooth whose cusps have been damaged due to root canal therapy or a fracture.

Crown Preparation. This refers to the design made of a tooth once that tooth has been shaved to create room for a dental crown. Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport LA, asserts that the extent to which a tooth is prepared depends on several factors. Some of these factors include the extent to which the tooth is damaged and the material the dental crown will be fabricated with.

Temporary or Provisional Crown. As the name suggests, this is a crown that is designed to be used for a short time. This is during the time when the permanent crown is being made by a dental lab. However, practitioners of cosmetic dentistry in St. Petersburg FL may deliberately leave a temporary crown in place for an extended duration. This would be the case if you have tooth pain and the dentist wants to leave that provisional crown until the pain subsides.

When Would You Need a Dental Crown?

The experts at 4th Street Family Dentistry point out that many situations warrant the use of a crown to restore a tooth. The examples below show some of those situations.

When You Get a Large Filling. St. Pete dentists normally recommend a crown if you require a filling that covers at least half of the width of your tooth. A crown is necessary in this case because what is left of your natural tooth is normally so weak that it is likely to fracture. A crown restores strength to such a tooth.

Root Canal Therapy. After a root canal treatment, what is left of your tooth is likely to become brittle and fracture after the infected or dead tissue inside the tooth is cleaned out. To maintain the structural integrity of your tooth, Dr. Leeson will recommend a dental crown to be placed immediately after the root canal procedure.

Excessive Tooth Wear. Many factors, such as bruxism and GERD (gastrointestinal acid reflux), can cause teeth to be worn down excessively. As the teeth wear down, they become shorter and the best way to get them back to their normal size is by visiting 4th Street Family Dentistry to have crowns placed on those teeth.

Undesirable Appearance. If you are unhappy about the appearance of your teeth (due to discoloration, shape or gaps, for example), you may need dental crowns to fix those imperfections. Alternatively, the St. Pete dentist may opt for veneers as a better way to fix the cosmetic dental problems you face.

Steps to Getting Dental Crowns

First, the team at 4th Street Family Dentistry will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. When the anesthesia kicks in, Dr. Brian Leeson will shave down the tooth in order to make space for the crown.

Thereafter, the 4th Street Family Dentistry team will take an impression of the tooth using a digital scanner or a putty-like mold. This mold, together with the shade picked from a color guide, will be sent to a lab so that your customized crown can be fabricated.

Before you leave the dental office, the dental care team will place temporary crowns on the prepared teeth. This is so the prepared surfaces can be preserved and your teeth can be safeguarded from damage while you wait for the permanent crowns.

About two weeks later, you will be contacted by 4th Street Family Dentistry to return for your second visit. This is when the permanent crowns will be placed. During this visit, Dr. Leeson will remove the temporary crowns and replace them with permanent ones. Next, Dr. Leeson will inspect these crowns to confirm they fit well, have smooth margins, and don’t cause any bite problems. A special light is then used to cure the permanent cement used to attach the crown to your tooth.

Is the Procedure Painful?

The local anesthetic used as a crown is placed on your tooth ensures that the process is pain-free. When the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some discomfort. However, that can be alleviated with the pain medication prescribed by your dentist in St. Petersburg FL. You can then start enjoying the benefits of your brand new crown.

Still Have Questions?

Contact 4th Street Family Dentistry today and get answers to all your questions. Our experienced staff will go through all your options and recommend the best way to treat any dental issues you may have to achieve the smile of your dreams.