Restorative Dentistry Services

If you’re living with decayed, cracked, chipped, or missing teeth, you might be too uncomfortable to smile. You may also have difficulty with things many of us take for granted, such as the ability to eat our favorite foods. If your smile isn’t as complete as you’d like it be, don’t be embarrassed. Dr. Murphy offers many restorative dentistry procedures that can rebuild your smile including:

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Dental Implants

Is your smile missing something? If injury or disease has caused you to lose a tooth, it can take a toll on your self-confidence. Not only can smiling be difficult, so can eating your favorite foods, meeting new people, or even attending social engagements.

Why Should I Replace a Missing Tooth?
A missing tooth is more than a cosmetic problem. Just one missing tooth can causes a change in the workload for your remaining teeth. To balance this load, your teeth will shift, leaving additional gaps in your smile. And because the jaw surrounding your lost tooth no longer has a purpose, the bone begins to atrophy putting you at risk of losing adjacent teeth, as well.

Dental implants are often the ideal way to replace missing teeth. A titanium “root” is surgically implanted into the jaw, stimulating the bone to fuse to the post creating a solid foundation. A prosthetic tooth attached to the post will blend seamless with your smile restoring function, as well as your confidence.

Dental implants have numerous benefits including:
• Replaces the tooth root, stopping bone loss
• Doesn’t require the support of adjacent teeth as with bridges
• There is no increased sensitivity or decay, as with bridges
• Can improve speech and restore ability to chew
• The prosthetic tooth looks and functions naturally
• Can be used to anchor denture and partials to eliminate slipping
• With proper care, can last most patients for a lifetime

If you’ve been living with the embarrassment of an incomplete smile, talk to Dr. Murphy. Dental implants do require adequate bone mass and oral health prerequisites. A consultation and examination with Dr. Murphy will help determine if you’re a good candidate.

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Root Canals

Hearing the words “root canal” can strike fear into the heart of even the strongest individual. But honestly, it’s not as bad as you think. Root canals are a very conservative treatment for a tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted and then replaced with a prosthetic. And with today's advanced analgesics and technology, root canals are much more comfortable than they used to be.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
Your teeth are made of several layers including a protective outer layer, called enamel, a secondary layer of dentin, and an inner pulp that is commonly referred to as the tooth “nerve.” The pulp chambers of your tooth branch off forming canals that provide a means for the tooth to absorb what it needs and rid itself of toxins through the bloodstream. A deep cavity, injury, or fracture can introduce infection, killing the pulp and increasing blood flow to the tooth, creating painful pressure. If left untreated, chances are, you’ll lose your tooth.

How Does Root Canal Therapy Work?
We simply clean out the diseased canal, fill it with a biologically inert substance, seal it from further infection, and you're on your way. Many times, we’re able to complete the treatment in a single appointment. You might notice slight swelling and tenderness after the procedure, but you’ll leave our office with instructions on how to ease discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief medications.

Don’t Let it Wait!
We want you to keep your natural smile for as long as possible, and for that reason, if you’re experiencing tooth pain, don’t let it wait. Early diagnosis and treatment is your best bet to avoid more invasive treatments.

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Crowns and Bridges

CROWNS:
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.

Reasons for crowns:
Broken or fractured teeth
Cosmetic enhancement
Decayed teeth
Fractured fillings
Large fillings
Tooth has a root canal

What does getting a crown involve?
A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.

At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.

You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.


FIXED BRIDGES:

A Stable Solution that Renews Your Smile

If you've lost teeth due to accident, injury, or gum disease, we can create a fixed bridge to restore your solid smile. A bridge not only fills the gap, but it also prevents repositioning of remaining teeth. It can also correct a misaligned bite, improve chewing function and speech articulation, and provide internal structure for the face to give you a more youthful appearance.

What is a Fixed Bridge?
First of all, a bridge is a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) that attaches on one or both sides to teeth prepared with dental crowns. A fixed bridge is joined onto the neighboring abutment teeth (crowned teeth) and consists of three basic units: the false tooth or teeth (called a pontic) and two abutment crowns. The style of bridge we suggest will depend upon the strength and health of the abutment teeth, as well as the location of the gap in relation to the rest of your dentition. If healthy adjacent abutment teeth aren't available, a surgically-implanted metal post, known as a dental implant, may offer a solid alternative. For a bridge that replaces many teeth, we may recommend a removable partial denture or implant-supported prosthesis. With proper care, a fixed bridge may last at least 8 to 10 years.

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Tooth Colored Fillings

Back in the day, silver or gold fillings were used. Now we know that Composite can be used, which is made of quartz resin, white and more natural looking. The fillings are used to fix teeth that have been damaged by decay and fractures. The impaired portion of the tooth will be removed and that portion will be replaced with composite filling. They are attractive since they match existing teeth and will last for years to come.

Fillings can be done during one appointment and anesthesia is necessary in order to allow the dentist to remove decay and apply medication to further protect nerve endings. Filling is shaped and smoothed to ensure tooth is its authentic look and feel. Patients should be prepared to notice some temporary temperature sensitivity for a period of time after fillings are done.

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Partial and Full Dentures

 A denture is a removable dental appliance replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.

There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from shifting.

 Complete denture may be either “conventional” or “immediate.” A conventional type is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, usually taking 4 to 6 weeks. During this time the patient will go without teeth. Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed after the teeth are removed, thus preventing the patient from having to be without teeth during the healing process. Once the tissues shrink and heal, adjustments will have to be made.

Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.

Reasons for dentures:
• Complete Denture - Loss of all teeth in an arch.
• Partial Denture - Loss of several teeth in an arch.
• Enhancing smile and facial tissues.
• Improving chewing, speech, and digestion.

What does getting dentures involve?
The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Highly accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. Several “try-in” appointments may be necessary to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place the completed denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.

It is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty, however this will subside as your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures.

You will be given care instructions for your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your new dental appliance, good oral hygiene, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new dentures.

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Technology and Restorative Dentistry
Dental technology is rapidly advancing, making many restorative dental procedures more comfortable and convenient. Metal-free dentistry is just one of the ways we provide state-of-the-art care. We use composite resins for tooth-colored fillings, as well as all-porcelain restorations so you can expect to have a lasting, beautiful smile.

129 East 1st Street  •  PO Box 309  •  Springtown, Texas 76082   817-523-4648  •  frontdesk@LarryMurphyDDS.com  

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