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Restorative Dentistry

Resin Restorations (Tooth-Colored Fillings)

We can replace those ugly, metallic fillings with tooth-colored ones. Imagine laughing or singing without worrying whether your neighbor is counting your fillings. Tooth-colored restorations are superior to the older silver (amalgam) fillings in many ways. They can restore teeth to their original look and function and help maintain, or even improve, their strength. In fact, resin fillings are now state-of-the-art for rebuilding teeth. Dr. Dixon can create the natural-looking, high-quality dental restorations necessary to prevent the need for more extensive treatment later.

With resin (white or tooth-colored) fillings, you may eat anything you like as soon as your numbness is gone. They are as hard as they are going to get as soon as you leave the office. Resin fillings do not conduct temperature changes quite like metal fillings and are seldom cold or hot sensitive. However, there is a microscopic shrinkage that occurs when they harden that occasionally results in tenderness to chewing pressures. This is almost always temporary but could last for some time.

You should expect your new filling to last for many years. Today's resin fillings are very strong and hard. They maintain their color and hold up well for front teeth as well as back teeth.

Instructions to follow After Placement of Resin Restorations (PDF)

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Removable Partial Dentures and Complete Dentures

Dentures can help take the place of missing natural teeth. Dentures allow patients to chew and speak more easily while improving their appearance and often boosting self-confidence. Full dentures are used when all of a patient's teeth, and their supporting bone and gums, need to be replaced. Partial dentures are used when only a few teeth are missing. In either case, dentures can help you look and feel your best.

The Use & Care of Complete Dentures (PDF)

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Crowns (Caps)

If more than half of your tooth is filling, a crown is often necessary. A crown covers the entire tooth, strengthens it, and holds it together. Crowns are used when large fillings wear out, when a tooth is cracked, or when making cosmetic improvements on teeth. A filling needs the surrounding tooth structure to support it. Without adequate support, the tooth will likely start to break away around the filling. As a rule, the larger the filling, the weaker the tooth and the higher the chance for breakage. That is why a crown is necessary.

Instructions to Follow After Placement of Crowns, Bridges, Inlays, Onlays and Veneers (PDF)

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Fixed Partial Dentures (Bridges)

Bridges replace missing teeth with artificial teeth. They look great, are permanently attached, and literally bridge the gap where one or more teeth may have been. They fill the unsightly spaces left by missing teeth.

Endodontic (Root Canal) Therapy

We perform endodontic therapy to prevent tooth extraction when the soft tissue (pulp) inside a tooth becomes damaged, infected, or inflamed. The pulp is contained inside the root canal, a hollow chamber inside a tooth root. Once we remove the damaged pulp tissue, we carefully clean the canal and seal it. We then place a crown to protect the tooth and restore its functionality. Signs you may need endodontic treatment include pain, gum swelling, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, and discoloration of the tooth.

Instructions to Follow After Endodontic (Root Canal) Therapy (PDF)

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Oral Surgery

The routine removal of erupted teeth and some impacted (buried) teeth can be performed by Dr. Dixon. Local anesthetic, along with a possible oral sedative, are frequently all that are required to provide comfort for most oral surgery procedures. For those patients who prefer general anesthesia or IV sedation, a referral to an oral surgeon may be necessary.

Instructions to Follow After Oral Surgery (PDF)

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