Restorations

Lakewood Dental Restorations

Thankfully, tooth decay has gradually become less common in recent years, thanks to increases in people’s awareness and the widespread use of fluoride to prevent decay. However, teeth do still occasionally decay, break, or get infected. Thanks to modern dental technology and techniques, we can provide you with many options to restore your teeth to their original appearance and functionality.

Why Would I Need Restorative Dentistry?

There are many different reasons why you might want to us to restore your teeth, including:

Relieve dental pain
Restore normal eating and chewing
Fix unwanted gaps between your teeth
Correct your bite alignment
Prevent tooth loss
Replace missing teeth

At O'Leary Dentistry, we can make recommendations about the most effective treatment strategy for your individual needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

CALL US: 216-226-2344 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

How Dental Crowns Work

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap which we place over your tooth to cover it and restore its size and shape, as well as improve its appearance. A crown, once cemented into place, completely covers and encases the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line.

You might need a dental crown to achieve any of the following:

Protect a weak tooth from breaking or decay
Hold together parts of a broken tooth
Cover and support a tooth which contains a large filling when there isn’t much tooth remaining
Support a dental bridge
Cover a dental implant
Improve the appearance of a tooth

Children sometimes need crowns on their baby (primary) teeth to help save a tooth so damaged by decay that fillings will not work. A crown may also serve to decrease the need for anesthesia for certain kids who are not comfortable with routine dental care. Stainless steel crowns are the most popular type of crown used on children’s teeth.

What Types of Crown Can I Get?

Stainless Steel - used as temporary crowns on permanent teeth, or permanent crowns on baby teeth

Metal alloys - used to create very strong, long-lasting crowns, which work well in out-of-sight molars due to their color

Porcelain on metal - can be color matched to your teeth and are very strong, with a few minor disadvantages

Resin - least expensive crown type, but less durable than other materials

Ceramic or Porcelain - provide the best color match and work well for people with metal allergies

Permanent vs. temporary – we craft temporary crowns from acrylic or stainless steel in our office, while dental labs make permanent crowns

How Long Do Crowns Last?

3d render of teeth with dental crown restoration over white background

Most dental crowns last from 5 to 15 years before needing replacement. How long your crown lasts will depend on the amount of wear and tear and your hygiene habits. Practicing good daily oral hygiene and avoiding potentially harmful activities like chewing on ice or grinding your teeth can help prolong the lifespan of your dental crowns.

Will Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?

The procedure for getting a dental crown is not typically uncomfortable. Before the treatment begins, you receive a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. We use water and high-speed instruments to prepare the area and place a temporary crown while the lab creates your permanent crown. Besides the fact that you may need multiple appointments, the procedure of getting a crown need not be any more challenging than other routine forms of dental care.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers can completely transform your teeth and smile. They often serve as viable alternatives to crowns and are the ideal solution in many situations. Veneers are not permanent but are very durable and can last for many years if properly cared for. Veneers are tooth-colored pieces of sculpted porcelain that are custom created by a dental lab.

Why Get Porcelain Veneers?

You might benefit from porcelain veneers if you have:

Misshapen teeth
Crooked teeth
Worn or chipped teeth
Uneven or unsightly gaps between teeth
Teeth that are too small or too large
A smile that could benefit from cosmetic improvement

How Do Veneers Compare to Crowns?

Veneers and crowns both serve similar purposes, so it makes sense to compare the two when deciding how to treat a dental issue. While veneers attach to the front of your tooth, crowns cover the entire tooth. Crowns improve a tooth’s structure as well as its appearance, while veneers primarily serve an aesthetic purpose.

Price – The two cost about the same, though crowns can cost more in certain cases.

Durability – Veneers usually last 7-15 years, with crowns lasting 10-15 years, due to materials.

Insurance – Most insurance companies consider veneers a cosmetic item and therefore don’t cover them, they consider crowns to be a functional treatment and will often cover them.

What is It Like to Get Porcelain Veneers?

Using shade guide to check veneer of tooth

The process of getting porcelain veneers usually involves two visits to our office to complete the procedure. You should require little to no anesthesia during the procedure. During your first visit, we will buff your teeth and shape their surfaces to prepare them for the veneers. Next, we will take a detailed impression of your teeth and work with you to choose a color shade that will closely match your natural teeth.

During your second visit, we will clean your teeth using special liquids to create a lasting bond with the veneer. We use bonding cement to firmly attach your veneers, and then use a special light beam to harden the cement and set the bond.

With the procedure complete, we will provide you with care instructions to help your veneers last for many years to come. Keeping up good daily oral hygiene habits and routine dental visits will help maximize the lifespan of your new veneers.

Dental Implant Restorations

Dental implants provide an excellent way to replace missing teeth or provide a fixed alternative to removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide superb stability and support for dental appliances.

A dental implant is an artificial root for your tooth. Implants typically feature titanium construction, due to this metal’s superior ability to integrate with your surrounding jawbone tissue. We surgically place the implant into your upper or lower jawbone. The replacement teeth attached to these implants look and work like your natural teeth and are extremely durable.

Why Would I Need A Dental Implant?

Implants can serve a variety of purposes, including the following:

Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting the surrounding teeth
Restore your confident smile
Support a bridge or denture to make it more secure and comfortable
Eliminate joint pain or bite issues caused by teeth shifting into the gap created by a missing tooth
Restore your ability to chew, speak and digest food properly

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Provided you take proper care of your dental implants with a good brushing and flossing routine as well as regular dental visits, your dental implants can last a lifetime! You should get dental checkups twice a year to help them last. A crown should last 10-15 years before needing replacement due to normal wear and tear, though if you take good care of your teeth, crowns can last significantly longer. Implant-supported restorations in the front of the mouth tend to last the longest, as those in the back experience more pressure due to normal chewing action.

Dental implants can offer you a lifetime of benefits with unmatched stability, strength, and function as compared to traditional dentures and bridges.

Dental Restorations Can Be Life-changing

If you have experienced problems with your smile that could benefit from any of these restorative dental treatments, we would love to help. We work to provide the best modern dental restorative treatments available today and can help you address a wide variety of oral health and cosmetic issues. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and let us help you create the smile you’ve always wanted!