Smiles start relationships, close business deals and comfort friends.
Our artistry and precision can give you the elements of a gorgeous, perfectly natural-looking smile. Let us help you make your smile confident.
A bright, new confident smile can be one of your best assets. If you’re unhappy with your missing, damaged, stained or broken teeth, let us explain the options that are available to you. We will help you customize your treatment to meet your goals.
With today’s materials, Composite Resin is used predominately. Amalgam or Silver fillings are not used as often as the new resin materials are now durable, strong, and more natural looking. Unlike Amalgam fillings, composite fillings are virtually invisible, giving you a beautiful, silver-less smile... Unfortunately, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced.
Crowns
Compared to fillings which just cover a small portion of a tooth, a crown (or cap) encases the entire visible portion of a tooth. In effect, the crown acts as the tooth’s new outer surface. A dental crown is used when a tooth is broken, cracked or decayed to such an extent that fillings aren’t able to repair the problem. The crown is able to provide a protective shell around the tooth to strengthen it, as well as to improve the appearance of the tooth.
While crowns come in different materials, the most common crowns typically have some mixture of porcelain in them to give them a look and feel similar to a natural tooth. They are highly durable, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced.
Reasons for crowns:
The first visit involves reshaping the tooth and taking impressions to create the crown. Typically a portion of you tooth will have to be removed to make space for the crown to fit properly. After the tooth is reshaped, a special material is used to create an impression of it. This impression will be sent to a dental laboratory to be made into a permanent crown. Before sending you home, a temporary crown will be made to cover your tooth in between visits.
When you return, the temporary crown is removed and new crown is fit.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a non-removable appliance used in certain circumstances to replace missing teeth. There are many different bridge types, but the “traditional bridge” is the most popular. Made of porcelain fused to metal, the bridge consists of two crowns that fit over the two anchoring teeth (abutments) adjacent to the tooth to be replaced. An artificial tooth (pontic) is attached between the two crowns to “bridge” the space and fill the gap created by the missing tooth.
Reasons for a fixed bridge:
Dental bridges are highly durable, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear. The process involved in making a bridge is very similar to single tooth crowns, but involves more time and planning according to the number of teeth involved.
Bonding
Dental bonding is one of the many cosmetic dental procedures our team is prepared to offer. A bonding is a white, plastic-like material, which can be securely attached to your teeth. It is used to repair chipped or broken teeth, fill in gaps and reshape or recolor your smile. If you have close, small gaps between the front teeth, stains, chips, cracks, gum recession, or tooth decay, you may be a good dental bonding candidate. Smokers are poor candidates for bonding since the resin is porous and may yellow from smoking.
Everyone wants a bright, confident smile. Our team understands this and is proud to offer our patients the Lifetime Whitening Program. Our Lifetime Whitening Program includes impressions and trays for both arches, 2 tubes of bleach and FREE bleach at each check-up and cleaning appointment as long as you keep your regularly scheduled cleanings. Give us a call to inquire about details or to schedule an appointment.
Phone: 210-399-5951 Fax: 210-265-3886
Email: info@realitybitesdental.com
Office Hours:
Mon: By appointment only • Tues: 9am - 5pm
Wed - Thurs: 9am - 7pm • Fri: 8am - 2pm
Sat: 9am - 3pm • Sun: Closed