Visit Our Dental Office in Redwood City If Your Crown Becomes Damaged

As a dental office in Redwood City, we treat patients who are struggling with a variety of oral health issues. In many cases, we use dental crowns to restore a severely damaged tooth or a tooth that has had a root canal. For example, if a tooth is cracked, chipped, or eroded, we can place a dental crown around it to protect the tooth. The dental crown will help the tooth become fully functional again and look perfectly natural. While this is a common procedure, many patients are unaware that a crown is not infallible. It can last for 15 years or more, but you have to take good care of it. If you do not brush and floss regularly or do not seek preventative dental care, the tooth underneath your crown will be at risk for experiencing decay. Additionally, it is possible to damage a crown by eating ice, chewing pencils, playing sports, or being in an accident. With that in mind, we recommend that you take care to ensure your crowns are safe.

Signs to watch for:

There are a few signs you can watch for that a crown is damaged. Start by running your tongue along your teeth to see if there are any rough edges. If there are, you might have a chipped tooth. You should also watch to see if you have any crowns that are loose. If you do, we recommend seeking treatment immediately since a loose crown can fall off at night and be swallowed.

Steps we will take:

When you visit our dental office, we will begin by conducting a visual examination of your teeth so we can determine the source of the problem. Next, we will take x-rays. This is essential because a dental crown surrounds a tooth like a cap, and an x-ray allows us to determine if there is an issue with the tooth itself.
When it comes to treating your tooth, we will need to determine if the crown itself is damaged or if the tooth underneath is also damaged or infected. If the problem is only with the crown, we might be able to smooth it out and apply a bonding material to it. If this works for restoring it, the process can be completed in one sitting. If, however, the crown is severely damaged, we might need to remove and replace it. This is a two-step process since the dental lab will need to create a new crown. Also, if the tooth underneath is infected or damaged, the crown will need to be removed so we can access it. We will remove the infected portion of the tooth before placing a new crown around it. This too will require multiple visits to our dental office. In rare cases, the tooth may be too damaged to save. If so, we can replace it with a dental bridge or dental implant.

Cosmetic Dentistry  >  Veneers Dentist

A Cosmetic Dentist Shares Alternatives to Braces

If you would like to improve your teeth, our cosmetic dentist office can provide you with quality alternatives to straightening treatments like braces. Our cosmetic dentistry practices involve the use of quality materials with skilled hands, and our experienced dentists can inform you on the best treatment options for your particular wants. To learn more about how a visit to our office can improve your smile dramatically, continue reading.

Dental/Porcelain Veneers

When patients visit our office with the hope of improving their teeth, we can offer them many improvement options. Some patients prefer to avoid straightening treatments like braces at all costs. If this is the case, dental veneers are an excellent alternative. Porcelain veneers, also called dental veneers, are wafer-thin, hard shells of porcelain permanently bonded to the fronts of teeth that are crooked, discolored, chipped, misaligned, or have spacing issues. Dental veneers are incredibly resilient to staining, comfortable in your mouth, and long-lasting. Since they are firmly attached to your teeth, they are very strong, grounded, and durable.

Veneers can be compared to crowns, except they cover only the visible portion of your tooth rather than the entire thing, which requires less dental drilling on your natural enamel. They improve your teeth's appearance by straightening, lengthening, or whitening your smile. A small amount of your tooth structure will be removed to allow the veneers to adhere closely and comfortably. They can provide you with the biggest improvement for a small amount of dental work and an affordable price.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is also be used to improve shaping and spacing issues that would otherwise be treated by braces. With bonding, a dentist will use a resin material to cover imperfections and fill in spaces. The bonding is hardened so it will remain in place and become durable. This is a conservative option if you are considering improving your dental imperfections. It can be completed in one quick appointment. Dental bonding is best when used on smaller-scale improvements.

Teeth Shaping/Contouring

Our teeth shaping and contouring procedures can be used to correct minor imperfections like one or two crowded or overlapping teeth. We use our sculpting tools to gently remove bits of enamel, then shape and polish the areas that have been worked on after we have sealed any vulnerable portions in order to protect them from decay.

Each of these cosmetic dentist procedures results in a beautifully improved smile. If you would like a complete smile makeover, we can also combine these treatments in order to completely transform your teeth. In addition to these procedures, we offer restorative treatments if you need improvements due to missing teeth or periodontal disease damages. Whatever your cosmetic dentistry needs are, we can help. Visit our office for more information about what we can do for your individual needs.

Veneers Dentist  >  Oral Surgery

Cosmetic Dentist Procedures That Will Make You Smile

If you have teeth you are unhappy with, modern cosmetic dentists make it easier than ever before to attain the smile you have always wanted. If you need a self-confidence boost, want a more attractive smile, or are concerned about health risks due to crowded teeth, we can help. We provide a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures with the ability to improve your teeth. Learn more about the services we offer and how we can give you your best smile.

Teeth Whitening:

We offer in-office and at-home whitening solutions that range in effectiveness and simplicity. We have options that can suit any budget while still providing you with whiter teeth by eliminating stains and discoloration. A simple teeth whitening cosmetic dentists can provide you with surprising results.

Dental Bonding:

If you have chipped or cracked teeth or a single discolored tooth, we can provide you with dental bonding, which covers injured teeth and imperfections with a malleable solution that is permanently hardened after being placed in the correct area. This option will quickly and easily fix small dental imperfections.

Dental Contouring:

Dental contouring can be employed to align and reshape crooked or misshapen teeth. We will gently buff areas of each tooth to create a more attractively shaped structure.
White Fillings: If you have metallic fillings and would like a tooth-colored update, we can remove your dated fillings and replace them with a more attractive option. Our white fillings will blend in with your tooth color perfectly and look natural when you smile.
Dental Veneers: Our veneers are thin, porcelain shells bonded to the fronts of your teeth. They effectively cover discolored, misshapen, and oddly spaced teeth and also improve the look of jagged or chipped teeth edges. Veneers are customized for your individual needs and attractively cover dental flaws, improving your appearance drastically.

Dental Implants:

If you have missing teeth, you should consider receiving our dental implants instead of getting traditional dentures. Dental implants last forever, look and feel more natural, and are created to match surrounding teeth. Our implants are planted into your jawbone for a permanent foundation.
Dental Bridges: If you don't want a removable dental replacement, but prefer to avoid the cost and procedure of dental implants, dental bridges are an excellent option. A fabricated tooth is held in a gap by two crowns placed over abutment teeth. This is a more permanent option than dentures and provides a natural looking replacement.

These are only a few of our most common cosmetic dentists can improve the appearance and health of your teeth. Most of our treatments are minimally invasive and do not cause discomfort during or after the process. We use appropriate anesthetics as needed to offer you the most comfortable visit possible. You will be pleased with your improved smile and quick results. Our quality materials, products, and procedures provide long-lasting and beautiful teeth resilient to staining and wear.

Pediatric Dentistry  >  Veneers Dentist