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Wheeler
Family Dental
1 Southwest 8th Ave
Milton-Freewater OR 97862
541-938-7752
Our office is
wheelchair accessible |
| Restorative Dentistry |
Dental Bridge
 Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth in both a cosmetic and functional fashion. A bridge structure is one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by natural teeth, crowns, or implants, on each side of the bridge. Using a bridge to fill the gap from missing teeth helps restore proper bite and prevent teeth from shifting to fill the gap (which may lead to additional bite and jaw joint issues). Bridges can be constructed from gold, porcelain and metal, or all ceramic. Ceramic bridge color is made to match your natural tooth color. Material choice will depend on structural requirements, wear, and esthetics. Bridges are used to:
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Replace missing teeth
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Prevent teeth from shifting
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Correct bite issues due to missing teeth
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Help prevent jaw joint problems from altered bite
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Improve appearance (cosmetic reasons) |
Dental Crowns
 Crowns are used to restore severely damaged teeth due to fracture or decay. After the tooth surface is cleaned and prepared the crown is placed to cover the remainder of the tooth. The crown strengthens the tooth structure and helps prevent future decay. Crowns also improve the tooth's look, shape, and alignment. Crowns are used to:
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Restore a fractured tooth
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Restore a tooth severely damaged by decay
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Protect a tooth from fracture
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Cover a discolored or unattractive tooth
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Cover a dental implant
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Anchor a bridge |
Dental Implant
 Implants may be the best option for replacing a single or multiple missing teeth. An implant is a metal post that is attached directly to the jawbone. After the bone and surrounding tissue has healed an artificial tooth is attached to the implant. Implants provide superior benefits compared to bridge work as they do not depend on neighboring teeth for structural support, although they are more expensive. Implants are the closest dental structure in durability to natural teeth and have greater cosmetic appeal. Implants are used to:
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Replace missing teeth
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Prevent teeth from shifting
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Correct bite issues due to missing teeth
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Help prevent jaw joint problems from altered bite
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Improve appearance (cosmetic reasons) |
Fillings
 Fillings are used to restore tooth damage caused by tooth decay. After removing the decay and cleaning the area the dentist adds filling material. Fillings are made from traditional amalgam (silver colored) gold, silver, or a composite (tooth colored).
Composite fillings, in addition to being more esthetically pleasing, bond directly to the tooth surface unlike traditional fillings.
Root Canal
 A root canal becomes needed when tooth decay is so badly neglected it reaches the tooth pulp. Once the pulp is infected it cannot heal on its own. Sometimes tooth trauma such as a fracture can lead to the need for a root canal as well. In addition to being painful, untreated infections can reach the root tip and compromise the entire immune system. Symptoms of pulp infections may be:
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Sensitivity to hot/cold
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Sensitivity to sweets
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Pain, especially when biting
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Swelling
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Bad taste in the mouth |
A root canal procedure includes cleaning out the infected pulp, disinfecting the canals and filling the void with a rubber like substance to prevent further infection. Sometimes a crown is recommended to restore the tooth shape, look, and to strengthen the tooth structure.
Dentures
 Dentures are a "replacement" option for missing teeth. Dentures come in 2 varieties: partial dentures and full dentures. When the condition of the teeth has deteriorated so far that they can no longer be repaired, removal is the only option. The difference between the two lies in how many natural teeth remain. The partial denture is often used when only some of the teeth are missing.
Complete Dentures
A complete denture is a removable prosthesis of white plastic teeth in a pink gum-colored plastic base that rests on the remaining gum ridge once all of the teeth in the arch have been removed.
It is important to note that life with an upper denture, a lower denture, and especially both, is a major lifestyle change when compared to natural teeth. Dentures impact the type of food you are able to eat, your self-confidence in social situations, and even your self-esteem.
Reasons for a Full Denture
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All Teeth missing in the same arch
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Restore chewing ability
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Restore a natural looking smile
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Economical alternative to other procedures |
An upper full denture will almost always feel better than a lower full denture. In order to dramatically improve the fit of a lower full denture, we frequently suggest using dental implants as a retentive mechanism. Two dental implants placed in the lower jaw can help anchor the denture and significantly improve comfort. Sometimes, the implants can even be placed in the jaw after a denture has been in use for several years.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture is a removable appliance held in place by gripping the remaining healthy teeth, usually with metal clasps or wires.
It is an economical solution that allows all missing teeth in the same arch (either the upper or the lower) to be replaced with one appliance. A partial denture is inherently much more stable and therefore more comfortable than a complete denture. There are many factors that help us to determine if you are a candidate for tooth replacement with a partial denture. Among these factors, the health of the gums and the shape of the anchor teeth are most important.
Reasons For Partial Dentures
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Multiple teeth missing in the same arch
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Restore chewing function |
The metal clasps are usually visible and usually affect the beauty of your smile. Often, there are options available to reduce or eliminate the need for visible clasps.
Finally, partial dentures can be designed to allow for the future loss of teeth which may not be as healthy as the rest. |
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