Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on repairing and restoring teeth that have been damaged or lost. This type of dental treatment may be ideal if you have tooth pain, issues with your bite, or missing teeth affecting your smile. 

At T. Kirk Crane, DDS, many patients opt for restorative dentistry services to strengthen their teeth and avoid more extensive future treatments. However, if you’ve already experienced tooth loss, you can work with our dentist to find the right solution for restoring the health and aesthetics of your smile.

CEREC Same-Day Dental Crowns

When a tooth has experienced significant decay or injury, you may need more than just a filling to restore it. A crown can completely restore a tooth. It is bonded to the tooth using a strong dental adhesive and restores its shape and function. 

In the past, this process took several appointments to complete. Thanks to CEREC technology, you can walk in with your problem tooth and leave with a new restoration in just one visit. 

CEREC crowns use digital imaging to create a 3D model of your tooth. This digital image is sent to a machine that mills your porcelain crown. The dentist then bonds the crown to your tooth for a permanent solution. These crowns are custom-made, so your smile will be restored to its natural appearance.

Composite Dental Fillings

Composite fillings are also known as tooth-colored fillings. These dental restorations are made from a mixture of plastic and glass particles and are shaded to match the color of your natural tooth enamel. 

The shade of the composite resin can be customized to blend in with the natural color of your tooth, which helps make the bonding material invisible so that your restoration looks completely seamless. 

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a prosthetic restoration designed to replace a tooth by “bridging” the gap left behind by tooth loss. The bridge is a false tooth anchored by the teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing tooth. It is custom-made to perfectly blend in with your smile. 

Dental Crowns

A crown is a cap that fits over a tooth, covering it completely. It’s often used to restore a tooth that is too damaged to be fixed with fillings or other restorations. Many patients choose to get a crown to protect a weak tooth that is already at risk of breaking. A crown can help hold the tooth together and protect it against further damage.

Crowns can also cover a dental implant, so it looks like a natural tooth. They prevent the remaining teeth from shifting positions and becoming misaligned. 

Dental Implants

Dental implants are small, titanium posts placed into your jawbone where your lost natural tooth used to be. These tiny posts will eventually fuse with the bone in your jaw and serve as stable anchors for replacement teeth that look and feel natural. 

Dental implants also help preserve the health of your jawbone by providing stimulation when you chew your food. This stimulation helps prevent bone loss in the jaw which can happen when a tooth is lost or removed.

Dentures and Partials

Our dentist may recommend complete or partial dentures if you have lost several or all of your teeth. Complete dentures are natural-looking replacements held in place by suction or adhesives and customized to fit the natural shape of your mouth. 

Complete dentures replace all your teeth, while partial dentures replace a few missing ones. Both options can replace lost natural teeth and improve your smile’s appearance, health, and function. 

Laser Fillings

Laser fillings can be used to treat a range of tooth problems, including tooth decay, trauma to the teeth, cracks and chips in the enamel, and larger cavities that require a restoration like a crown. 

During your appointment, our dentist will first numb the treated area to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. Our dentist will then remove the decayed tissue from the tooth with a dental laser before filling the cavity in layers to protect the sensitive parts of the tooth. Once the filling is complete, you will be able to use the tooth just like before.

Visit T. Kirk Crane, DDS, at 104 Exchange Pl, Suite A Lafayette, LA 70503, or call (337) 232-3873 to find the right solution for restoring the health and aesthetics of your smile.