Not all Juneau tooth cavity fillings are the same. Old-fashioned, outdated dental filling used to be made of a dark, metal amalgam. You probably have one or two in your mouth right now! Dr. Pinney has a better solution– tooth colored, composite fillings! The list of benefits is a pretty long one but here are the top Tooth colored composite fillings:
- Are better for you and much more biocompatible than the old filling (which contain, among other things, mercury)
- Are more conservative restorations than metal, requiring less drilling of healthy tooth structure
- Offer a much more natural looking restoration for patients of all ages
You can count on composite fillings’ strength and appearance – it’s the same material we use to repair and beautify your smile during cosmetic bonding.
Porcelain onlays are used to repair and restore teeth that need a little more strength than composite bonding can offer but aren’t quite damaged enough to warrant a full crown. Onlays are a replacement for metal fillings and are another aspect of our conservative and patient-centered dentistry. We always work to keep your teeth in their most natural and functional state. With pure porcelain restorations, such as dental onlays, it really is possible to repair and restore the normal structure of your smile – beautifully! Here’s the big difference:
Our onlays are bonded to the surface of the damaged tooth. Because the repair is placed on the tooth, not forced into it, your tooth won’t be weakened and is instead protected against breaking. Since we work with world-class labs for the creation of your custom onlay, your repair will be incredibly strong – able to withstand up to 75% more chewing force – while also preserving much more of your tooth structure.
Crowns are one of the strongest and most versatile restorations we offer to our Juneau restorative dentistry patients. Sometimes called caps, crowns are placed to repair, protect, and rebuild damaged or weak teeth by covering the entire surface of your tooth. This creates a brand new, undamaged tooth surface without damaging your roots or your nerves. Dr. Pinney uses crowns to:
- Repair extensive decay
- Rebuild cracked or crumbling teeth
- Protect and reconstruct teeth after a root canal
- Act as a new tooth in an implant
- Anchor a bridge tooth replacement system
- Create a more beautiful surface for poorly shaped or discolored teeth
- Restore worn down teeth to their original length
- Be part of a plan to rebuild your smile
When crowns are used in a bridge system, they both replace missing teeth and act as anchors to bond your prosthetic teeth to the surrounding dentin. These bridges stay in your mouth, letting you smile, eat, and speak with confidence.
As with all of our cosmetic or restorative options, your crown is custom made just for you. You deserve it!
Are you missing teeth? Do you have or need dentures? Dental implants are almost always our preferred tooth replacement method because they offer more comfort and natural function than any alternatives. We do understand, however, that not everyone is a candidate for implants. Bone loss or fragile bone structure may prevent the proper placement and security of the implant posts. Thank goodness you can still rely on the smile saving benefits of dentures. Even better news is the fact that dentures from Dr. Benjamin Pinney aren’t like denture mill prosthetics. Our dentures fit better because they are custom made in outstanding labs.
They also look better because each of our dentures is cosmetically designed to look more like gorgeous, natural teeth while also supporting your facial structure and preventing the aged, sunken look so many denture wearers have. What’s more, because we consider your whole health, Juneau dentures from Benjamin Pinney, DMD, are made to balance your bite, helping to prevent cramping, pain, and other TMJ discomforts. And while they don’t offer the security and freedom dental implants can offer, they do let you get back to eating, laughing, and enjoying life the way you did before you lost your smile.
Missing teeth do not have to mean missing out on enjoying life’s best moments! For more information, please visit our Implant Dentistry page.
We get it– not everyone gets very excited about the idea of a root canal. (Yes, that’s what endodontics usually refers to.) But we have some news that might just change your mind: Endodontics are not the painful part. In fact, root canals are designed to STOP the pain while saving your tooth. Because we refer all of our root canals to our local endodontic partner, we do not recommend root canals lightly. Our patients like their treatment to stay with us in our comfortable, familiar office!
Root canals are reserved for patients who have:
- Teeth with damage that extends into the pulp and roots
- Severe dental trauma that has affected the dental pulp or the nerves of the tooth
- Advanced decay-causing infection beyond the enamel
- Acute, persistent pain
“According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), more than 41,000 root canals are performed each day, and 15 million root canals are performed each year in the United States.”
Symptoms of nerve damage, infection, or necrosis (death of dental pulp and other dental tissue) include:
- Pain that stops and starts or has been prolonged and suddenly stops
- Tooth looseness
- Sensitivity and pain with temperature changes, touch, or when chewing
- Darkening or discoloration of your tooth that is not from staining, especially a grayish or black appearance
- Swollen gums, a pimple, or an abscess on your gums
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or issues, please call us right away. We can assess the situation, decide whether a root canal can save your tooth, and send you to one of our trusted Juneau partners.
We take great pride in our conservative and preventive dentistry and do everything we can to help you keep your teeth. Why? Natural teeth are the best – better even than dental implants. But when oral surgery is necessary, it can offer tremendous relief and healing. Oral surgery is needed when:
- Lesions or growths inside the mouth require removal
- Wisdom or other teeth are impacted, meaning they have not grown into place properly and causing crowding, pain, and gum sensitivity
- Teeth are severely damaged, decayed, or shattered and cannot be saved with a root canal
- You are experiencing advanced TMJ disorder problems, or your jaw is misaligned
- Cleft palate surgery is necessary
While we may perform the occasional extraction or wisdom tooth removal, we prefer to rely on the two great oral surgeons Juneau is blessed with. Their oral surgery experience is unparalleled, and they can offer more advanced sedation options to keep you comfortable. Of course, we will follow your care, frequently communicating with the surgeon, so we know how to properly follow up and help you speed your way to healing.
