General Dentistry
At Montano Dental we will diagnosis, treat and manage all your oral health needs. Many of these oral health care needs include cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, bridges, extraction and preventative care.
Dental 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 of your teeth, giving you a long-lasting, beautiful smile.
Reasons for crowns:
- Broken or fractured teeth.
- Cosmetic enhancement.
- Decayed teeth.
- Fractured fillings.
- Large fillings.
- Tooth has a root canal
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.
There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss the best options for your particular case. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
Dental bridges are highly durable and should last many years.
Reasons for a fixed bridge:
- Fill space of missing teeth.
- Maintain facial shape.
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
- Restore chewing and speaking ability.
- Restore your smile.
- Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance
Root Canals
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.
Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.
Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Sometimes no symptoms are present.
- Swelling and/or tenderness.
Reasons for root canal therapy:
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
- Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
- Injury or trauma to the tooth.
Extractions
The main goal of dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth and keep them healthy for as long as possible, but sometimes there is a need for dental extractions. A dental extraction is when a tooth is removed from the mouth. There are various reasons why we may need to have a tooth extracted. These include:
- Diseased, decayed or broken teeth
- Wisdom teeth
- Baby teeth
- Orthodontic treatment
Implants
Dental implants are an effective way to replace missing teeth. A dental implant is a post that is surgically placed into the bone. We can help you find a surgeon who will place the implant and once it has healed you will return to our office to restore the implant. This is where the artificial tooth is placed on the implant. Implants can be used to replace single or multiple teeth, and to give better retention for dentures.
Dentures and Partials
Dentures are a removable appliance that are used to replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you have lost all your natural teeth replacing these teeth can benefit your health and appearance. When you lose all your teeth, the muscles in your face lose support and begin to sag, making you appear older. With dentures they can improve your function and smile by supporting these facial muscles.
A removable partial denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is sometimes connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place with clasps that are connect to your natural teeth. A partial denture is used when you still have natural teeth in your mouth, but need to replace multiple missing teeth.
