In addition to our cosmetic dentistry services, including porcelain veneers, implants, porcelain crowns, Invisalign®, and BriteSmile® teeth whitening, Dr. Michael Popp performs various restorative dentistry treatments that maintain function while approving the appearance of your smile. We offer various restorative dentistry treatments, including dental bridges and full mouth rehabilitation.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are permanent replacements for missing teeth that also provide stability for neighbouring and opposing teeth. When a tooth is removed, the surrounding teeth drift and fall into the empty space. The resulting misalignment of the teeth causes instability of the muscles and jaw joints. Dental bridges can be all ceramic for ideal esthetics or reinforced with metal for strength.

A missing tooth can cause myriad problems. Obviously, it affects one's ability to eat, and the remaining teeth above and beside can slip into the space. This can cause chewing problems, possibly even headaches due to a misaligned bite, and contribute to periodontal (gum) problems. Dental bridges can resolve some of the effects from a missing tooth. Not only do dental bridges restore proper function to the lower jaw, they also provide support to the teeth on the upper jaw - preventing them from extruding into the missing space.

Replacing a tooth is fast - only two visits! In the first visit to our office, the teeth are shaped and then an impression is taken. Dental bridges are custom-made at a dental lab from your impression and are an exact fit. This usually takes a week. In the interim, a polymer temporary covers and protects the teeth until the dental bridge is ready for insertion.

Dental bridges are considered permanent restorations because the entire unit is cemented into place. They are as strong and durable as your natural teeth and can last as long as 25 years. If you think dental bridges are right for you, contact Marlborough Dental Centre today.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Full mouth rehabilitation makes it possible to restore entire dentition to ideal esthetics and function. Malocclusion, or a "bad bite," can lead to a host of problems including headaches, TMJ (jaw joint) locking and clicking sounds, loss of lower face height, turned down corners of the lips (reversed smile line), abnormal clenching and grinding habits, fractured teeth, and dental pain.

During full mouth rehabilitation scientific methods including neuromuscular T.E.N.S. (transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation) therapy and computerized tomography, are utilized to determine the most harmonious jaw and teeth position. Orthotic appliances or splints are then fabricated to test the improved occlusion (bite). When the patient is comfortable in their new jaw position, permanent restorations are fabricated and bonded to the existing teeth to achieve maximum cosmetics and function. Restorations can include porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, dental implants, and dental bridges. After full mouth rehabilitation is complete, you should experience less pain and discomfort and better overall health.

If you have a misaligned bite, or if you have short, worn, cracked, or broken teeth, full mouth rehabilitation may be right for you. In addition, you may be a candidate for full mouth rehabilitation if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome)
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Short, worn, broken, or chipped teeth
• Dental restorations that frequently crack or break
• Pain or soreness around jaw joints
• Tooth pain
• Facial, neck, shoulder, and back pain
• Clicking or grating sounds in your jaw joints; limited jaw movement or locking jaw
• Numbness in your arms and fingers
• A feeling of congestion or stuffiness in your ears
• Vertigo

Full mouth rehabilitation corrects imperfections in bite alignment while enhancing the appearance of the smile. If you want to find out if full mouth rehabilitation is right for you, contact Marlborough Dental Centre today.

Restorations

Silver amalgam fillings are a mixture of silver and mercury and have been used to restore teeth for more than 150 years. Some of the shortcomings of amalgams are:

• Dark and unattractive appearance
• Expansion with hot and cold that eventually leads to tooth fracture
• Leakage of fluids and bacteria as amalgam does not bond to the tooth
• Amalgam needs to have bulk for strength; this meant that fillings had to be overly large and deep

Thankfully, technology has offered us new materials such as synthetic composites and ceramics that are white or tooth colored. These materials are not only natural looking, they require minimal tooth removal since they are bonded or fused to the tooth to improve strength.

If you would like more information about our restorative dentistry options, including dental bridges, and full mouth rehabilitation, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!