Smile Again With Restorative Dentistry In Billerica

The goal of restorative dentistry treatments at Merry Dental is to repair or replace damaged, decaying, or missing teeth to improve the health and appearance of your smile. Our treatments can end tooth pain, improve function, and can give you a complete, natural-looking smile.

At Merry Dental, our team offers restorative dentistry treatments that use the latest technologies and techniques to address a wide range of dental problems. Our treatments address common issues like tooth decay, infected teeth, and missing teeth.

What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?

In the past, most cavities were filled with a metal amalgam filling. While these filings are durable, they are also very noticeable, even on back teeth.

Amalgam fillings can also harm the teeth they are meant to protect. They often expand and contract when exposed to changes in temperature, leading to unintentional fracturing.

Today, there is a better option! At Merry Dental, we provide our patients with tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings.

Composite fillings are made of a tooth-colored composite resin. They easily blend in with your natural teeth, making it nearly impossible to tell that you’ve had a filling.

Composite fillings are chemically bonded to teeth, both sealing and protecting the tooth. They are extremely durable and can last for many years with proper care.

In addition to treating cavities, composite fillings can correct minor cosmetic imperfections. They are an easy fix for teeth that are chipped, broken, or showing signs of wear.

What Are Dental Crowns?

We use dental crowns to cover or cap a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, size, and function. If a natural tooth has lost more than fifty percent of its function, it can usually be saved with a dental crown.

Dental crowns replace the top of a tooth. They are permanently cemented or bonded into place to assure comfort, function, and stability.

Like composite fillings, dental crowns are made of tooth-colored materials that blend in with surrounding teeth. The most commonly used material for crowns is porcelain ceramic, though metal crowns with porcelain overlays can provide extra stability and protection while still looking completely natural.

What Are Inlays and Onlays?

Often called “partial crowns,” inlays and onlays are a restorative treatment that can be used on a tooth with extensive damage that does not require a crown. They are often made using composite resin, which is natural-looking and bonds easily to the natural tooth.

Inlays are similar to fillings and fit inside the cusp tips of a tooth, while onlays are more substantial and usually cover one or more of the tooth’s cusps. Inlays and onlays can increase the strength of a tooth by seventy-five percent, protecting the tooth and preventing further decay. 

What Are Dental Veneers?

While often used for cosmetic dentistry treatments, dental veneers can also be used to restore more minor issues with the appearance of your smile. Your dentist can use dental veneers to address situations like permanent stains, small chips, and unwanted gaps.

Veneers are thin, tooth-shaped shells that can be made of composite resin or porcelain. They are permanently bonded to the front surface of a tooth.

Veneers not only improve the appearance of a tooth but can also provide additional protection. The materials used to make veneers are as strong or even stronger than your natural teeth. 

What is a Root Canal?

If you have a tooth with extensive decay that has become infected, a root canal can restore the health of that tooth. During a root canal procedure, the tooth’s inner pulp is cleaned and then sealed to prevent further infection. 

Once the tooth has been treated, it is usually covered with a dental crown. While getting a root canal can sound scary, it is a pain-free procedure done under local anesthesia, usually in a single appointment.

What Are Dental Bridges and Dentures?

Dental bridges and dentures can restore your smile by replacing missing teeth. Dental bridges are most commonly used to replace one or more teeth in a row, while dentures can replace multiple teeth, including a complete arch.

A dental bridge is created by replacing teeth with an artificial tooth called a pontic. Crowns on the teeth on both sides of the pontic hold it in place.

Dentures are prosthetic devices that are used to replace many missing teeth. Advances in denture technology now make it possible to get dentures anchored by dental implants for a more comfortable and secure fit.

Today’s dentures can either be removable or permanently affixed. They are fully customizable for a natural look and exact fit.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the most advanced treatment for missing teeth. They are a permanent solution to the oral health problems presented by misalignment due to missing teeth.

Made of high-grade titanium, dental implants are attached directly to the jawbone. As the jawbone heals, it integrates with the implant, securing it in place.

Once the implant is ready, a thin rod called an abutment is inserted into the implant. A replacement tooth is attached to the abutment, ensuring proper alignment of surrounding teeth.

At Merry Dental, we want your mouth to remain as healthy as possible. If you develop a dental problem affecting your oral health, we have restorative dentistry treatments that can rebuild your smile!

Do you want to learn more about restorative dentistry? Schedule an appointment at Merry Dental in Billerica, MA, today!