Restorative Dentistry
Winston-Salem, NC
 At Gibson & Bartholomew Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry, our goal is to prevent dental problems before they occur. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to poor oral hygiene, genetics, infrequent checkups, and other risk factors. This is why we also specialize in restorative dentistry. Our restorative services are designed to improve the function and aesthetics of your smile, as well as your overall oral health.
Dental fillings are the best way to restore minor to moderate instances of tooth decay. Most fillings these days consist of a material known as composite resin. Composite resin is an aesthetically-pleasing material that we color-match to the existing shade of your enamel. For this reason, a composite filling is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your tooth.
Here at Gibson & Bartholomew Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry, we can fit you with a customized crown to protect your teeth. Crowns are a cover that is placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to protect it. They tend to be used to cover a broken tooth or one that has been seriously damaged, so filling isn't enough to make the tooth strong. A crown is even able to hold multiple parts of a cracked tooth together.
Dental Crowns vs. Inlays and Onlays
A dental bridge is a tooth replacement that typically consists of two dental crowns linked together by a pontic, or false tooth. A traditional bridge is supported by the two surrounding teeth, known as abutment teeth, that we reshape to receive the crowns. A bridge can also be supported by a series of dental implants if multiple adjacent teeth are missing. If you are missing a tooth, a bridge will prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of their proper position.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that we surgically embed into the jawbone. The implant serves as the root component of a prosthetic tooth. Once the implant is in place, it will fuse to the bone during the process of osseointegration. If you are interested in dental implants, visit our who is a candidate for dental implants page.
Osseointegration allows the implant to support a restoration against the strongest forces of your bite. For this reason, dental implants are widely considered to be the next best thing to your natural teeth. Learn more about dental implants and the following below:
A denture is a removable appliance that is usually used to replace one or more missing teeth. A partial denture usually attaches to the surrounding teeth with metal clasps. A complete denture consists of a flesh-colored acrylic base that supports a complete arch of prosthetic teeth. We offer custom-fit dentures as a more comfortable, functional, and durable solution.
Inlays and onlays are ideal for areas of decay too large for a filling, but not large enough to require the placement of a dental crown. The restoration is considered an inlay if it is placed within the occlusal (bite) surface of a tooth. The restoration is considered an onlay if it extends beyond one or more of the occlusal cusps.
There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline. We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted, or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications.
A root canal is a last-ditch effort to save a tooth from extraction. We may recommend a root canal if an infection has spread to the "pulpy" center of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other connective tissues. Once the infection has been removed, we fill the canals with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha. A tooth that has received root canal treatment typically needs to be capped with a crown.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), allows us to move our jaw forwards, backward, and side-to-side. Any problems that prevent us from using this joint properly are known as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorders. We provide some treatments designed to alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with the TMJ.
Wisdom teeth typically erupt much later than other permanent teeth, which can cause problems for your oral health. At Gibson & Bartholomew Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry, we provide wisdom teeth extractions to prevent or alleviate these potential problems. If you have impacted (or under bone) wisdom teeth, it may be necessary to refer you to one of our great oral surgeons in the area.
Schedule an Appointment
To learn more about our restorative dentistry services call (336) 283-2593, and schedule an appointment now! |
