4 Restorative Dentistry Procedures to Know About

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If your smile has been affected by cracks, chips, stains, and lost teeth or extracted teeth, you may feel like you’ll never look the same again. That doesn’t have to be the case!

There are many procedures that yourdentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, can use to restore your smile. These procedures, known as restorative dentistry procedures, focus on fixing and replacing teeth that have been transformed by time and injury. Below are some of the restorative dental procedures that can benefit you.

1. Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over the tooth enamel. Once fitted to the tooth, the crown is cemented. Dental crowns are shaped like teeth and can cover a range of cosmetic and structural defects. If you get a root canal, your dentist will automatically install a crown to cover the tooth.

2. Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that’s positioned between two healthy teeth. To hold its position in your mouth, the dental bridge is attached to two crowns that fit over the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Dental bridges are an effective tool for replacing a lost permanent tooth.

3. Dental Implants

A single-tooth dental implant is a standalone tooth that is surgically inserted into the jaw. The screw of the implant holds tight to the bone to keep the implant in place. Dental implants look and function very much like real teeth. Like a dental bridge, an implant is a good tool for replacing a lost permanent tooth.

4. Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is a cover that’s placed over the tooth to hide cosmetic defects like stains and chips. If you have a tooth that’s structurally sound but just doesn’t meet your expectations for your appearance, you can benefit from a veneer.

The dental professionals at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry can help with yourdental restoration in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY. Call today to make an appointment.

Dental Veneers FAQ: What You Should Know

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Do you have discolored or misshapen teeth? Do you want teeth that are pearly and white? As your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY, we can help you. You may be a good candidate for dental veneers. Below are some commonly asked questions and answers that can help you learn more about this helpful cosmetic dental tool.

What are dental veneers?

A dental veneer is a cover that you can cement to the front of your tooth to cover up imperfections like stains, discolorations and certain other types of damage. Dental veneers are cosmetic in nature, and do not reinforce the structure of your tooth. They can be made from resin or porcelain, depending.

How long do dental veneers last?

How long dental veneers last depends on what kind of material they’re made from and how well you take care of them. Veneers made from resin last approximately 5 years, while porcelain veneers last around 10 years. To ensure that your veneers will last as long as possible, avoid using them to bite anything that isn’t food (like pen caps) and avoid using them to bite into foods that are very crunchy (like almonds).

Do dental veneers look natural?

Dental veneers are tooth-colored, so they look very natural. In fact, the point of the veneer is to make your smile look naturally beautiful. Your dentist will match the color of the veneer to the color of your other teeth, so no one will be able to tell the veneer is there.

How are dental veneers maintained?

Maintain your dental veneers the same way you maintain your other teeth: brush them twice daily and floss once daily. See your dentist twice annually for cleanings.

Are you interested in dental veneers in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY? Call Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to learn more about dental veneers.

Can I Choose a Veneer Instead of a Crown?

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A crown and a veneer can both serve as a way to protect your teeth. A dentist in Owensboro, KY can fit both over a real tooth to essentially complete it. However, the nature of the crown is more complex than the veneer. We’ll look at the two, how they both work, and when to opt for one over the other.

Crowns Vs. Veneers

These two types of dental devices can seem simple at first until you figure out that the terms can be used in different ways. Crowns in Owensboro, KY are essentially artificial teeth or partial artificial teeth, typically made from zirconium, porcelain, or composite.

You may get a crown after a root canal, as a way to reinforce a damaged tooth. Or you might get a crown if you have an implant. In this case, the crown becomes the entire replacement tooth as opposed to just an augmentation method. Veneers are made with similar materials, usually either a composite or porcelain, but their structure is different from a crown. Veneers in Owensboro are very thin shells that are essentially made to go over the tooth.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Owensboro, KY

Veneers are often known as cosmetic dentistry because they’re often done to correct issues like yellowing or crowding of the teeth. They’re typically only completed on the visible part of the smile. The word cosmetic does ignore some of the more practical elements of veneers, mainly that they can cover chips are cracks, which will make the tooth stronger overall — the same way a crown would. If you have questions about which one would work best for you, Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry will assess your teeth to tell which one will give you a healthier smile.

Hollywood smile with porcelain crowns and veneers

Have Questions About Dental Veneers? We Have Answers!

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Are your teeth damaged, stained, chipped, or in some way not as beautiful as you want them to be? You may be a good candidate for dental veneers. As your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY, we offer dental veneers to help our patients achieve their cosmetic dentistry goals. We’re happy to provide you with information about dental veneers, so you can decide for yourself whether they’re right for you.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are a cover that’s placed on the front of your teeth to hide stains, chips, and other forms of damage. Dental veneers can be used to hide a gap between teeth or cover teeth that are oddly shaped.

Do Dental Veneers Look Natural?

Dental veneers are designed to look just as natural as your other teeth. Your dentist will even match the color of your veneers to the color of your other teeth, so no one will be able to tell the difference.

What’s the Difference Between a Veneer and a Crown?

A dental veneer is a cover that’s placed on the front of the tooth only. A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over the tooth to protect the tooth enamel or hide cosmetic defects. In other words, dental veneers are cosmetic in nature, but dental crowns can provide some structural reinforcement for your tooth.

How Do I Maintain Dental Veneers?

To maintain your dental veneers, brush them twice daily with nonabrasive toothpaste, floss once daily, and see your dentist regularly.

Have more questions about dental veneers in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY? Call Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry today to learn more about dental veneer installation and whether you’re a good candidate for veneers. We’re happy to answer your questions.

Invisalign orthodontics concept - Young attractive woman holding - using invisible braces or trainer.

What Can I Do About Crooked Teeth?

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Crooked teeth can be a problem! In addition to the fact that many people with crooked teeth feel self-conscious about their smile, crooked teeth can also lead to misalignment of the jaw.

If you suffer from crooked teeth, it’s important to see your dentist in Owensboro KY. Your dentist can let you know if you need orthodontic services and if so, can give you a referral for orthodontic care. At Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, you can get your orthodontic care in-house, which makes it easier to get your teeth straightened!

Braces

Braces consist of metal brackets attached to the teeth, connected by wires that are tightened periodically to draw the teeth in different directions. Braces are a traditional way to straighten teeth and correct alignment problems.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, also called Invisalign, are made from clear resin that fits over the teeth. Clear aligners act like braces, because they work by slowly shifting the teeth into the correct position. However, clear aligners are different from braces in a few ways.

First, clear aligners are nearly invisible, which means they’re a lot less disruptive to your smile. Second, aligners can be removed at any time, which makes eating certain foods and cleaning your teeth much easier.

Veneers

Veneers are non-orthodontic solution to crooked teeth. A veneer is a cover that fits over the front of your tooth. Veneers look like your natural teeth, but they can be used to hide imperfections in your smile and tooth alignment.

Veneers don’t correct structural problems – they only cover up cosmetic problems. This may be a good solution if your teeth aren’t all straight but your tooth misalignment is not so severe that it’s worth correcting.

Want to know more about orthodontics in Owensboro KY, or about getting veneers installed? Call Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry today.

Dentist and patient

Are Crooked Teeth Really A Problem?

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Crooked teeth can cause some people to feel self-conscious about their smile and appearance, but are they a problem in other ways? The best way to find out if your teeth need to be straightened is to work with a dentist in Owensboro, KY. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth and tell you about procedures that can help straighten them.

Problems Made by Crooked Teeth

There are many problems that are made by having crooked teeth!

  • Difficulty cleaning. People who have crooked teeth often end up have difficulty cleaning their teeth – because their teeth may crowd each other, making parts of the tooth very difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
  • Excess wear and tear on teeth. Crooked teeth can wear on each other, causing excessive wear and tear.
  • Increased risk for gum disease. When it’s hard to clean your teeth, it becomes harder to prevent gum disease.
  • Makes chewing a challenge. Crooked teeth often don’t line up when they’re clenched, which can make chewing harder than it needs to be.
  • Cause bad breath. People who have gum disease often suffer from bad breath. No matter how much the teeth get brushed, this is still a problem.

How to Fix Crooked Teeth

The first step to fixing crooked teeth is to get a dental exam in Owensboro, KY. At Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, we provide dental exams to evaluate various oral health conditions and make recommendations for correction as needed.

To find out whether your teeth need to be straightened, call today to make an appointment. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, discuss our orthodontic services and provide clarity to the process of correcting crooked teeth.

How to Fix a Gap in My Teeth?

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When you have a gap in your teeth, your smile is negatively impacted. But more importantly, a gap in your teeth can lead to serious issues like teeth shifting, bit alignment problems and trouble chewing food. Depending upon the case of the gap, you may need tooth replacement at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry in Owensboro, KY or orthodontics to gently close the gap.

When Tooth Replacement is Needed

You will need tooth replacement in Owensboro, KY if the gap in your teeth is because of a missing tooth. Your Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY dentist has a variety of options to replace a missing tooth, including:

  • Bridge
  • Implant
  • Denture

When Orthodontics Are Needed

If the gap in your teeth is due to a natural condition, your dentist in Beaver Dam will likely recommend that you get orthodontics to close the gap. As with tooth replacement options, you’ll have several choices when it comes to orthodontics.

One choice to fix a gap in your teeth is clear aligners. These are low-profile devices that fit inside the mouth. They are removable and temporary. As your gap slowly closes, you’ll be fitted with a new aligner. Aligners are to be worn up to 22 hours per day for best results, although they can be removed for eating and oral hygiene.

Braces

If the gap in your teeth is wide, your dentist in Owensboro, KY may suggest traditional braces. These are permanently affixed to the teeth and give the same or better results as aligners. Braces are typically worn between one and two years.

You don’t have to live with a gap in your teeth; in fact, it’s best not to have a gap at all. Contact your Owensboro, KY dentist to discuss possible solutions to closing the gap in your teeth.

What Are Dental Veneers?

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A dental veneer is an extremely thin, shell-like covering that is custom-tailored to fit an individual’s tooth. Using dental veneers, Dr. Travis Wilson can improve his patients’ smiles.

Enhancing a Patient’s Teeth with Dental Veneers

A dental veneer can consist of porcelain or composite resin.

Veneers are ideal for changing the size, shape, color and length of the teeth.

When veneers are used near a patient’s natural teeth, Dr. Wilson chooses a shade of veneer that closely matches the color of the remaining teeth.

What is the Difference Between Resin and Porcelain Veneers?

Resin and porcelain are the materials that are most frequently used to create dental veneers.

Veneers Consisting of Porcelain

Since porcelain veneers reflect light, they look more like natural teeth than those made of resin do. This light-reflecting characteristic typically makes porcelain veneers the most desirable material for tooth enhancement. In addition, studies show that veneers made of porcelain offer patients more durability than those consisting of composite resin.

When compared to resin veneers, the veneers made of porcelain are better at resisting stains. Furthermore, these veneers offer the patient a long-lasting solution with many patients enjoying their porcelain veneers for up to 20 years.

One drawback to porcelain veneers is that the process takes longer than is necessary when resin veneers are used. The entire porcelain veneer process usually requires at least two weeks, possibly three. However, while the patient waits for his or her custom-designed porcelain veneers to arrive at the office, the patient wears temporary tooth coverings.

Veneers Consisting of Composite Resin

Veneers that consist of resin are constructed using the same materials as those used while bonding or filling a tooth. Composite resin has tiny particles of a hard filler in it. Since these particles are extremely small, the resin should remain soft and pliable, thus, making it easier for Dr. Wilson to shape and mold the veneer.

Cosmetic Issues That Dental Veneers Are Used to Fix

Dental veneers offer individuals an easy, long-lasting solution for improving their smile.

Veneers are commonly used to address:

  • Tooth discoloration – may be caused by root canal therapy, excessive fluoride use, stains resulting from certain medications (e.g., tetracycline, etc.) or visible resin fillings.
  • Worn down teeth – this issue frequently occurs when an individual has bruxism (i.e., teeth-grinding while asleep) or has a habit of clenching his or her jaw.
  • Misaligned, irregularly shaped or uneven teeth – these issues can easily be addressed with dental veneers.
  • Gapped teeth – Dr. Wilson can use veneers to close the spaces between the teeth.
  • Broken or chipped teeth – since veneers cover the front of the tooth, chips and broken teeth are hidden behind the veneer.

If you reside in the Beaver Dam or Owensboro, Kentucky, area and you are interested in improving your smile with dental veneers, contact one of Dr. Travis Wilson’s offices today. Dr. Wilson’s Owensboro, Kentucky, phone number is 270-926-6040 and the phone number for his Beaver Dam, Kentucky, office is 270-274-3645.