Dentist in Lancaster, TX

Preventative Dental Treatments

• Dental Fillings
• Dental Sealants
• Dental Crowns
• Dental Bridges

Dental Fillings

Oftentimes there are no signs of dental caries or tooth decay. However, symptoms that indicate you may need a dental filling can include sensitivity of the tooth to pressure or sugary foods, toothache or pain, a hole in the tooth that you can see or feel, or floss that keeps tearing in a particular spot. Our Lancaster dentists will check if you need fillings during your exam, which may also include x-rays if necessary. If a filling is required, our dentists will remove decay from inside the tooth and fill the cavity with a wide range of filling materials. When new cavities need attention or old fillings need replacement, you have a number of choices for the filling material, including composite (tooth-colored), porcelain, or gold.

Dental Sealants

Due to normal anatomy variations from person to person, you may have deep grooves (also known as pits and fissures) on your premolar and molar teeth. Dental sealants can help protect these cavity-prone teeth from decay. After a thorough cleaning of the tooth surface, a liquid material is applied to these surfaces of the teeth that is cured to become a thin plastic coating that is easy to clean. Proper home care, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new sealants.

Dental Crowns

A crown is a “cap,” commonly made from porcelain or ceramic, that is used to rebuild and strengthen a weak or broken tooth. Crowns can also be used to improve your smile by changing the shape and color of your existing teeth. To place a crown, the decayed and weak areas of a damaged tooth are removed, and your dentist takes an impression. This impression is sent to the laboratory for the technician to form a model of your tooth, and then it is returned to the dental practice. In the meantime, a temporary crown will be cemented onto your tooth to protect it. On the next visit, your new crown will be bonded into position and will be ready to use straight away.

Dental Bridges

A bridge is a solution for a missing tooth or teeth. Dental bridges ‘bridge’ the gap created by one or more missing teeth. The crown replacing the missing tooth is joined to crowns made to fit over the neighboring teeth. In this way, the bridge, made up of three crowns, is supported by the teeth on either side of the gap. Sometimes more than one missing tooth can be replaced in this way.

To place a bridge, the teeth adjacent to the gap are recontoured by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be fitted over them. An impression of your teeth is sent to the laboratory for the technician to form a model of the bridge. Your dentist will make a temporary bridge for you to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while your bridge is being made. At your next appointment, your temporary bridge will be removed, and the new one will be checked and adjusted, then the bridge is permanently cemented into place.