Adult Services

Dental Fillings | Dental Crowns and Bridges | Dentures / Partials | Dental Implants | Bad Breath | Teeth Grinding

Dental Fillings


Types of Fillings
Fillings can be either direct or indirect.

Indirect Fillings
Indirect fillings are fabricated outside the mouth at a dental laboratory, then cemented into the tooth two weeks later. This requires two appointments and a temporary filling. Indirect fillings are superior in every way to direct fillings. Patients who select indirect fillings (inlays) are rewarded with beautiful restoration that will last longer than their direct filling composites. Indirect fillings are made from:

  • Gold inlays
  • Ceramic (porcelain) inlays
  • Resin inlays

Fewer patients choose indirect fillings due to the time involved (two appointments), the cost (two to three times direct fillings), and because many insurance carriers do not cover indirect fillings. However, indirect fillings do not corrode or discolor as direct fillings can. They also last longer than direct fillings.

Direct Fillings
Direct fillings are placed directly into the tooth in a soft state. The filling material then hardens to become the permanent filling. The vast majority of direct fillings placed today are either amalgam (traditional silver) fillings or composite (tooth-colored resin) fillings.

Composite Resin (tooth-colored) Fillings

Dentists have been filling teeth with composite materials since the 1950's. Their use has typically been limited to anterior (front) teeth because they were not strong enough to hold up under the tremendous chewing pressures of the posterior (back) teeth. Fortunately, there has been tremendous advances in composite materials and they now make for excellent posterior fillings.

Unlike the material used in amalgam fillings, the composite resin actually bonds to the tooth structure. This means less healthy tooth material needs to be removed. Composite resin fillings are less likely to fracture in the future and they do not discolor.

Dental Crowns and Bridges (Caps)

Definition (crown): 1. The part of a tooth above the gum that is covered with enamel 2. A crown (sometimes called a cap) is a tooth form produced by a dental technician that is treated as a tooth.

Definition (bridge): A bridge consists of artificial teeth cemented onto adjacent natural teeth.

Placing a crown (cap) over a broken or highly filled tooth is a common dental procedure. Most teeth that have had root canals will also require a crown to protect the tooth from fracture. Crowns are highly successful at protecting teeth and saving teeth that would otherwise be lost. Crowns are made of cast gold, porcelain fused to cast gold, all porcelain, or a composite resin.

A bridge is an artificial tooth (or teeth) attached to crowns or teeth adjacent to the missing tooth space. Bridges are also very easily attached and give years of teeth replacement service. Other procedures for replacing teeth include dental implants, removable dentures, and partial dentures.

Call our office today (248-651-8787) to replace your missing teeth with a smile you can be proud of.

Dentures / Partials

Removable Dentures
(Full) dentures are a removable replacement set of teeth made for someone who has lost all their teeth. Fortunately, dentures are becoming much less common because people are retaining their natural teeth at a much higher rate than ever before due to good, preventive dental care.

Dentures are much less desirable than natural teeth. Dentures limit chewing capacity and overall patient satisfaction versus natural teeth or fixed replacement teeth (bridges or implants).

Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are removable replacement teeth made for a patient that has some missing teeth and some natural teeth. Partial dentures are more secure than complete dentures, but still have many of the drawbacks associated with full dentures.

Fortunately, there are better teeth replacement options than dentures and partial dentures. Bridges and implants are much more ideal. Dental implants can be used in combination with removable replacements to add to the stability and function of your teeth.

If you are considering dentures or implants, call our office today (248-651-8787) for a consultation.

Dental Implants

Definition: An implant is a small metal pin (screw) that is securely placed in the jawbone in the area of a missing tooth or teeth.

About Implants
During the last 10 to 15 years, dental implants have been the most significant advance in dentistry. Implants are far superior to previous tooth replacement options, such as dentures. Implants are the first choice for replacing missing teeth for the following reasons:

  • Implants look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.
  • Implants are four times stronger than natural teeth.
  • Implants preserve the surrounding bone and teeth; with other teeth replacement options the jawbone is slowly lost over time.
  • Implants are fixed, not removable.
  • Patients report greater satisfaction with implants than they do with other teeth replacement options.
  • Pain, sensitivity, and infection are all greatly reduced with implants versus other teeth replacement options.
  • Implants are very versatile; they can be used in many different situations. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or replace several teeth. Implants can be used to add stability, improve fit, and improve function to dentures and partial dentures.

Call our office today (248-651-8787) if you have loose teeth, or are considering a crown, bridge, or denture. We can help you determine if an implant is right for you.

Bad Breath

Strong-smelling foods can temporarily cause bad breath. This is not a dental concern. However, chronic bad breath is a concern because chronic bad breath is often the first indication of a serious dental problem.

Chronic bad breath is often an indication of gum (periodontal) disease. Regular brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent gum disease. This prevents bacteria from collecting in periodontal pockets and attacking your gums. Regular visits to our office are also a great defense against gum disease because we can check your teeth and gums to diagnose possible problems before they become serious.

Also, any kind of denture can trap food and plaque, leading to odors. Brushing your dentures daily and soaking them every night in a cleaning solution helps to avoid these problems. Also, some illnesses, including diabetes, tuberculosis, and kidney and liver disorders might lead to bad breath.

Call our office today (248-651-8787) to schedule an appointment so we can determine whether your bad breath is of a dental origin. If it is not, we will direct you to one of our trusted physician partners for further evaluation and treatment.

Teeth Grinding

Bruxism (grinding of the teeth) is very common. It is estimated that up to 95% of people experience bruxism at some time in their lives. Most people who grind their teeth at night while they sleep have no idea they are doing it. Signs of bruxism include:

  • Sore teeth
  • Sore jaws
  • Muscle aching in the face and neck
  • TMJ clicking and discomfort
  • Ear aches
  • General tension headaches when you wake up in the morning

Grinding over extended periods can fracture or crack your teeth - which can lead to tooth loss. Grinding can also lead to a misalignment of the jaw.

To prevent teeth grinding issues, we can make you a bite splint. A bite splint is a hard acrylic appliance worn on the upper teeth at night. A bite splint will dramatically help the problems associated with teeth grinding. Other treatment options include orthodontic therapy and bite adjustment.

If you are experiencing problems of teeth grinding, call our office today (248-651-8787) to sleep easier, reduce pains, and prevent future dental problems.