Restorative dentistry includes a wide variety of dental treatments and procedures that are meant to help patients restore their dental health and regain confidence in their smiles. Whether from cavities, tooth damage, or normal wear and tear, many people will need restorative dentistry at some point. At Hlavaty Dental Arts, We provides a full range of restorative dentistry services. These include natural-looking tooth-colored fillings to repair cavities, bonding to rebuild lost tooth structure, as well as high-strength ceramic crowns & bridgework to restore lost function. If you're in the Santa Barbara or Montecito, CA areas, call us today to learn more and schedule an appointment. Let's talk about how restorative dentistry can help return your teeth to a healthier, more natural-looking state.
Oral health exams are an integral aspect of every appointment. A comprehensive oral examination, sometimes referred to as a “full mouth exam,” covers the entire mouth, gives us an opportunity to screen you for oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other issues that may affect your oral health.
After your exam is complete, you and your dentist will discuss your oral health, to develop a personal treatment plan tailored to your unique dental needs. Treatment plans are a detailed outline of your recommended care, and typically include a timeline for each procedure, as well as information about what you can expect from each service.
Everyone is unique, and so are their smiles. With this in mind, no two treatment plans are the same. We’ll take the time to educate you about all of your available treatment options, so you can choose the right treatment for your needs, budget, and lifestyle. We’re with you every step of the way.
We’re happy to offer sedation options to keep you feeling comfortable and safe during your visit. Sedation is especially helpful for more complex restorative procedures, as well as for patients who experience dental anxiety or have trouble sitting still. We’ll discuss sedation options while making your treatment plan.
If you’re coming to our office for a dental emergency, it is important to get the care you need as soon as possible. In some cases we may be able to offer same-day care, depending on the severity of your problem and our availability. For non-emergencies, we’ll simply schedule your next appointment after your initial cleaning and exam. We’ll work with you to schedule in a way that fits with your schedule.
Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures, and can restore decayed teeth that have been compromised by cavities or other damage. Different materials can be used for fillings, depending on the extent and location of the damage, as well as your overall oral health. Tooth colored, bio-compatible composites are the most common materials utilized for dental fillings because they blend in to match the natural color of your teeth. If you suspect you may have a cavity, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible to prevent further decay. If left untreated, cavities can grow more severe, and may need to be treated with more invasive procedures like root canal therapy or even extraction, to restore your oral health.
Dental inlays and onlays are restorative procedures that can improve both the function and appearance of your teeth. A dental inlay/onlay is meant to restore part of a damaged tooth that may be too large for a dental filling, but not large enough for a crown. Dental inlays/onlays are similar to fillings, but are made in a lab with stronger, longer lasting materials. They can be made from gold, porcelain, or other high strength tooth colored ceramics and can be used to restore damaged or decayed teeth.
Dental crowns are caps that restore the shape and size of teeth after they have been damaged or severely worn down, and offer protection from further damage. Dental crowns are a great option for restoring damaged teeth and are a standard procedure offered at Hlavaty Dental Arts. When a tooth is damaged, we always hope that it may heal on its own. Unfortunately, teeth do not heal or restore damaged enamel on their surface. We can, however, help to protect and restore a tooth with a dental crown.
Crowns are created by a dental technician at a state-of-the-art dental lab. Dr. Hlavaty will begin the dental crown process by shaping your tooth to make it an ideal foundation to which your new crown will be permanently attached. We’ll take impressions or scans of your teeth & bite and send them to our trusted partner lab where they will custom-craft your restoration.
While your personalized crown is being made in the lab, we will provide you with a temporary crown and send you home. After a couple weeks, the lab will send us your finished restoration, and we’ll have you return to have it placed. Before securing the crown in place, we’ll double-check the fit and finish to ensure your new grin is beautiful, comfortable, and functional.
A dental bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth. At Hlavaty Dental Arts, we can provide patients with dental bridges if they want to replace a missing teeth without having to wear dentures or undergoing implant surgery. The new tooth is held in place by two crowns (Imagine a crown attached to a fake tooth attached to another crown). It looks natural and is made of a high-strength ceramic or porcelain material to match the color of the surrounding teeth. As a cosmetic dental office, Dr. Hlavaty will make sure that the new tooth looks beautiful and feels amazing.
There are many advantages to dental bridges. Because they are supported by your natural teeth, they can improve your chewing ability, your speech, and result in less sensitivity from exposed roots.
Dentures are removable dental prosthetics that can replace missing teeth and gum tissue. Partial dentures are great for patients that are missing only a few of their natural teeth. Full dentures, on the other hand, are used to replace an entire jaw (upper or lower) of natural teeth. Dentures can be made from acrylic or composite materials, and can be kept in place with natural suction, a dental adhesive, or a framework that attaches onto your remaining healthy teeth. Dentures offer patients a solution for restoring their smile that is convenient and affordable. To find out if partial or full dentures are right for you, give us a call today!
A root canal procedure may be required when a cavity goes deep enough into the tooth that it exposes the soft pulp inside the tooth. Sometimes a root canal is needed after an injury to the tooth. Usually the reason for a root canal is that the inside of the tooth is infected. During a root canal procedure, the dentist will clean out all of the soft pulp from inside the tooth and the root , remove any infection, apply medication to sterilize & eliminate any remaining bacteria, seal the root structure, and fill the inside of the tooth with composite material like what is used in a cavity filling. Once the inside is filled it can no longer become infected and the tooth can be re-built.
Restorative dentistry can restore the form and function of infected, damaged, or missing teeth, while preventing further damage down the line. Additionally, if you’ve experienced any sort of dental trauma due to an injury or an accident, restorative dentistry can return your smile to a healthy, functional state.
Restorative dental treatments like root canals, crowns, and implants may seem intimidating to some patients, but thanks to advancements in technology and dental techniques, restorative dentistry is more comfortable and convenient than ever. Getting the restorative dental treatment you need at the earliest opportunity can help you to avoid future issues, dental pain, and more costly procedures. In addition to saving both time and money in the long run, you’ll also get the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that your grin is in good shape. Plus, restorative dentistry can also restore your confidence by improving the overall appearance of your smile.
Any oral health condition or injury that requires immediate attention and cannot be treated at home is considered a dental emergency. Conditions like toothaches that don’t stop, continued oral pain or discomfort, chipped or broken teeth, missing or lost dental work, and bleeding gums fall into this category. If you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing qualifies as a dental emergency, just know that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Get in touch with us right away to find out if you need emergency dentistry.
Many insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of necessary restorative procedures, but the extent of your coverage can vary, depending on your unique policy. As a common example, your insurance may cover the cost of simple fillings or root canals, but may not provide full coverage for dental implants. To gain a full understanding of your own coverage, we recommend reaching out to your insurance provider for details. Also, you can always get in touch with our knowledgeable and friendly team, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you maximize your benefits at our practice.
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