At Southern Pines Smiles, we recognize that oral health is vital to your overall health and well-being. Despite maintaining diligent oral hygiene practices and taking all necessary precautions, teeth can still sustain damage or decay due to accidents, aging, and other unforeseen events. This is where the science and art of restorative dentistry step in.
Our devoted and highly skilled team, stationed in Southern Pines, NC, is committed to restoring the health, function, and aesthetics of your teeth. We provide an array of restorative treatments, each tailored to our patient’s unique needs, aiming to restore your radiant and confident smile.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings, also known as tooth-colored fillings, offer a solution that’s not only functional but also aesthetic. If a tooth is affected by decay or minor damage, it can be repaired using this type of filling. The composite material can be color-matched to the rest of your teeth, providing a restoration that blends seamlessly with your smile.
In addition to their aesthetic benefits, composite fillings bond directly to the tooth, providing support and preventing further damage. They are a durable option that can withstand the pressures of biting and chewing, providing long-lasting and effective results.
Aftercare For Your Composite Fillings
At Southern Pines Smiles, your health and comfort are our primary concerns. We believe that comprehensive, clear patient education is essential to maintaining good dental health. After the placement of a composite filling, understanding the post-treatment expectations and how to maintain your restoration is vital.
Until Numbness Wears Off
Post-treatment, you might experience numbness for a few hours. It’s crucial during this time to prevent any unintentional harm to your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue from biting or other injuries. Exercise caution when eating, consuming hot drinks, or smoking to avoid unintentional damage to these areas.
Acclimating To Your New Filling
Even with careful adjustment and polishing, your new filling may feel a bit foreign in your mouth at first. Occasionally, patients may need a little extra smoothing or further bite adjustments. If your filling feels uncomfortable or if you’re experiencing any discomfort, we encourage you to get in touch with us.
Post-Filling Sensitivity
After getting a new filling, it’s normal to have temporary sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. This sensation usually lessens within a few days. However, if the sensitivity persists or worsens, or you notice any other unusual symptoms, please contact our office immediately.
Maintenance Of Your New Filling
Southern Pines Smiles uses the latest, most resilient materials for our restorations. Your new composite filling should function well for many years with consistent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. However, significant decay or damage to the tooth underneath the filling may eventually necessitate replacement or additional dental treatment. Our team is committed to closely monitoring the longevity and health of your restoration, ensuring your smile stays bright and healthy.
Root Canal Therapy
When tooth decay or damage reaches the inner pulp or nerve tissue of the tooth, root canal therapy is often the best course of action. This procedure involves carefully removing the infected tissue, followed by thoroughly cleaning and sealing the tooth to prevent further infection.
At Southern Pines Smiles, we perform root canal therapy with meticulous care and precision. Our top priority is to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure while preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. This approach aids in the recovery process and maintains the long-term health of your tooth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns offer a versatile solution for a range of dental issues. Whether your tooth needs its size or shape restored, added strength, or enhanced appearance, a dental crown could be the solution. At Southern Pines Smiles, we customize each dental crown to ensure a natural-looking match with your existing teeth.
Crowns can serve multiple purposes: they can cover a discolored or misshapen tooth, protect a weak or damaged tooth, restore a severely worn or broken tooth, or cover a tooth that has a large filling when there isn’t much tooth structure left. The end result is a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing tooth restoration.
Inlays & Onlays
When damage or decay is too extensive for a filling but not severe enough to warrant a crown, inlays and onlays offer an excellent solution. These restorations are custom-made in a dental lab and then bonded to your tooth during a follow-up visit.
Inlays are used when the damage is within the cusps, or points, of a tooth. Onlays, however, are used when one or more cusps need to be covered. Both inlays and onlays offer a durable, long-lasting, and aesthetic solution to restore the form and function of your tooth.
Tooth Extraction
While preserving your natural teeth is always our top priority, there are instances when tooth extraction becomes necessary. Whether it’s due to severe decay, infection, crowding, or an impacted tooth, we ensure the extraction process is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Simple extractions involve the removal of a tooth that is visible in the mouth. Surgical extractions, on the other hand, are needed when a tooth hasn’t fully broken through the gum line, known as an impacted tooth. Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort, and we provide detailed post-operative instructions to aid in a swift recovery.
Fixed Bridges
A fixed bridge is an effective solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. The bridge is anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth or teeth situated in between. Dental bridges restore your smile and improve your ability to chew and speak and prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of position.
At Southern Pines Smiles, we customize each bridge to match your natural teeth for a seamless and comfortable fit, effectively restoring both function and appearance.
Create A Transformative Smile
Restorative dentistry at Southern Pines Smiles goes beyond merely repairing your teeth. It’s about restoring your self-confidence, your ability to express joy without reservation, and enhancing your quality of life. Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to guiding you toward a healthier, more radiant smile with personalized care and expert attention. Contact our Southern Pines, NC office today and let us transform your smile together.
