Restorative Dental Care

Searching for a dentist in Putney that offers restorative dental care? We are only a phone call away (02) 9809 7110.

When tooth structure has broken down either from decay, worn or fracture of tooth it requires to be restored to prevent further damage. Restorative  Dental Care procedures include fillings, inlays crowns, veneers, or bridges (when a tooth/teeth are missing) or implants. Missing teeth can also be replaced by a denture in metal or acrylic.

Putney Dental Surgery can provide you options for your Restorative Dental Care.

Composite fillings are often referred to as tooth-coloured or white fillings, as they mimic the colour of real teeth. The latest composite resin filling material are not only extremely strong but also look natural and are used in our practice routinely for fillings.

Root Canal Treatment– root canal treatment or Endodontic treatment is done when a tooth has been badly damaged due to decay, disease or injury beyond the point where only a filling will be successful. It is done where decay/damage has progressed in to the centre of the tooth structure and involves the nerve to the point where the tooth will die. When this happens, there are normally two possible courses of treatment; root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth. Root canal treatment is done in an effort to save the natural tooth, however this is not always possible.

Crowns are commonly used to repair and protect broken, decayed, worn or heavily restored teeth or where composite resin may not be a suitable material to restore a tooth. If you clench or grind your teeth you may require a stronger material and we may recommend a crown or inlay.

A crown, also known as a “cap” is a restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth. The original tooth is filed down to make room for the crown. Crowns are often needed when a tooth has been weakened by a large cavity or a crack. Crowns and inlays are generally made from porcelain over a zirconia base .They are bonded onto the tooth using a cement similar in composition to composite resin.

An inlay is a similar shape to a filling and fits into a tooth like a puzzle piece fits into a jigsaw puzzle. It may provide a stronger alternative than a composite filling to restore a tooth.

Bridge is one method to fill a space created by a missing tooth (or teeth). It is made up of 2 or more dental crowns placed on anchor teeth either side of a gap and an artificial porcelain tooth/teeth in between. Bridges are non-removable and feel and look just like real teeth. Placing a bridge involves filing down the teeth either side of the space, rather substantially, to place crowns over them. The supporting teeth need to be strong enough to support the bridge, and the bite and chewing habits need to be assessed. If the teeth either side of the space are heavily filled, and would need crowns in the near future, then a bridge may be a good option. If the teeth either side of the space are lightly filled or not filled at all, further consideration may be advised before opting for this treatment.

A bridge does require specific cleaning techniques, and a commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene and regular follow ups is essential for its longevity.

Implants A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. The surgical placement of the implant in bone is carried out by a specialist surgeon after which you return to Putney Dental Surgery for the crown treatment.

Dentures are another method of filling a gap (or gaps) in the mouth where teeth are missing. At Putney Dental Surgery we offer full and partial dentures in conventional acrylic and now the newer nylon based partial dentures in Valplast or Duraflex.

Valplast is a flexible, removable nylon partial denture that can fill gaps from 1 to 6 teeth, both upper and lower. We believe the benefits of Valplast dentures are:

• They tend to be comfortable, durable and lightweight.
• They do not have metal clasps or contain any metal, hence blend well with both gums and existing teeth.
• There is no need to drill or compromise your own teeth for them to fit well therefore they are minimally invasive.
• They can be made small enough that very little of the rest of the mouth is encumbered.

Excellent oral hygiene is required to maintain the health of the remaining teeth and longevity of the denture. An initial “settling” period is generally required by most people during which the mouth adjusts to the denture. As well as allowing the mouth to adjust, your denture will require some adjustments. We will schedule follow up and adjustment appointments once your denture has been fitted in order to enable it to “settle in” as soon as possible.

For further information please visit www.valplast.com