Restorative Dentistry in
South Jordan and Daybreak

Almost every filling we do is made with the tooth-colored material call “Composite”.  Sometimes people mistakenly call them porcelain fillings. It is called a composite because it is a mixture of resin and small glass-like materials that make the fillings strong and smooth. Once the decay is removed, the tooth is filled with a composite material which is then cured (hardened) using a specialized light. Composite fillings can be done in one visit and are completely ready to go as soon as the appointment is over. Because we are bonding (glue) the fillings into the teeth, we don’t need to make the hole in the tooth any larger than the damage the decay caused. The old metal fillings didn’t bond to the teeth and large excavated areas needed to be prepared to hold the material. Back in the 70’s and 80’s, tooth-colored fillings were still too soft to use in back teeth, and they turned yellow or brown after a few years. As with almost everything else, they have come a long way since then. A tooth-colored filling is now a stronger, more predictable filling than the old metal ones used to be.

An inlay or onlay is a partial crown restoration that can be placed when there is not sufficient tooth structure to support a filling but enough tooth structure left that a full crown is not needed. Inlays/onlays are made of porcelain or gold, and they aesthetically and functionally replace the missing tooth structure.

CAD/CAM is an acronym that stands for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. CAD/CAM technology is used to help the dental team fabricate precise shapes and sizes for dental restorations including inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges.

A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a tooth that was cracked, broken, worn down, or severely decayed. Sometimes there is not enough natural tooth left to support the extreme forces applied when chewing. To prevent the tooth from splitting, a crown is made to completely replace the enamel and the shape of the natural tooth. Dental crowns are usually completed in two visits. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared (shaved down to make room for the porcelain that replaces the enamel) and then we use a 3-D camera to capture the shape and fine details of your teeth. The amazing computers, machines, and technicians at the lab use those 3-D images to perfectly make a custom crown that is strong, smooth, and natural looking. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made at the lab. During the second visit, the permanent crown is carefully fitted and then cemented into place.

A bridge can replace missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A bridge is composed of two crowns and a replacement tooth or teeth. Crowns are typically placed on the teeth on either side of the space, with the false tooth or teeth attached in between.

For multiple missing teeth, an implant may be used to anchor the bridge.

Dental implants are composed of three pieces: the implant itself, which looks like a metal tooth root; a supporting connection between the implant and the porcelain crown (called an abutment); and the final restoration, usually a porcelain crown. The implant, which is placed in the jawbone where the root of an extracted tooth used to be, acts as a replacement for the tooth root, providing a strong foundation for the replacement tooth or teeth. The jaw bone begins to fuse with the implant over the course of a few months. After the fusing process, known as osseointegration, the abutment is inserted into the implant to support the new porcelain tooth.

If you are missing the majority, or all of your teeth, a denture is one option to help you get your smile back. A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures: Complete (Full) and Partial Dentures.

We do not make dentures in our office because most dentures are now supported by dental implants for increased stability. For a dentist to do this well, a lot of experience, and daily procedures is best. For anyone who is in need of a denture, there are some very good Prosthodontists (a denture specialist) whom we can refer you to.