Bassett Creek Dental

A comprehensive approach to re-creating a youthful, radiant smile eliminating gaps, discoloration, crowding, rotations and unsightly imperfections. The result is a vibrant, natural, self-assured appearance.

Bonding is tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Requiring a single office visit, bonding lasts several years. Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding also is used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities. Additionally, it can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape.

A dental crown is a custom-made artificial tooth cap that completely covers a damaged tooth, restoring functionality, shape, size, and strength to the tooth. Most commonly, dental crowns are a restoration procedure for teeth needing more structural support and long-lasting protection than cavity fillings or inlays. This is especially important for posterior teeth, where up to 150–200 pounds of pressure can be placed on the teeth while chewing.

Dental implants are substitutes for teeth and are the best alternative to your natural teeth. They offer a permanent solution for replacing one or more teeth. Made of biocompatible materials, they function as supportive anchors for traditional forms of dentistry, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. With proper care, dental implants can have a high success rate of up to 97%. Our patients will tell you that dental implants have changed their lives for many reasons, including: Aesthetically and Functionally: They support teeth while looking, feeling, and acting like real teeth. Many patients say their self confidence is boosted because of the permanence and security of their dental implants. Rejuvenation: Patients who have had dentures, bridges, or missing teeth enjoy being able to eat and chew again without pain or irritation. In fact, dental implants can actually improve the taste of food by requiring less plastic coverage over the roof of your mouth. You can enjoy natural flavors and sensations again. No Adhesives: Dental implants eliminate the need for denture adhesives. Preventative Maintenance: Dental implants can help maintain your bone structure and support facial tissues. They can reduce or eliminate bone atrophy which causes "shrinkage" or facial cosmetic changes.

Wisdom teeth are the third molars. Normally, people have three permanent molars that develop in each quadrant of the mouth: upper, lower, right and left. The first molars usually grow into the mouth at around six years of age. The second molars grow in at around age 12. The third molars usually will try to grow in at around age 17 to 21 years. Since that is considered to be the age when people become wiser, third molars gained the nickname wisdom teeth. Actually, they are no different than any other tooth except that they are the last teeth to erupt, or grow into the mouth. They are just as useful as any other tooth if they grow in properly, have a proper bite relationship and have healthy gum tissue around them. Unfortunately, this does not always happen.

A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

Our highly-trained hygienists offer the latest clinical treatments and technologies to help you achieve the best possible results.

Underneath your tooth's outer enamel and within the denti n is an area of soft tissue called the pulp tissue. While a tooth's pulp tissue does contain nerve fibers, it is also composed of arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissue. Each tooth's nerve enters the tooth at the very tip of its roots. From there, the nerve runs through the center of the root in small root canals, which join up with the tooth's pulp chamber. Root canals are very small, thin divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root. A tooth has at least one but no more than four root canals. Root canal therapy is necessary because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate and the tooth may fall out. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth. A root canal is a procedure done to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The canal is filled with a rubberlike substance called gutta percha or another material to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed, with possibly a post and/or a crown made of porcelain or metal alloy. This enables patients to keep the original tooth.

Whitening trays are made professionally by your dentist to be used 30 minutes a day with a whitening gel.

Lumineers are a custom designed way to bring out a permanently white smile. They are ultra-thin and proven to last for over 20 years. Unlike traditional veneers, there are no shots and no drilling of tooth structure. They're also reversible.