Restorative Dentistry in Simpsonville, SC

Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into your jawbone. They’re a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth and consist of three parts:

• Implant: A small titanium post is inserted into your jawbone where the missing tooth was.
• Abutment: Once the implant has fused with your bone, a connector (abutment) is attached.
• Crown: Finally, a custom-made crown is attached to the abutment, completing your new tooth.

Getting dental implants is a multi-step process that typically takes several months:

• Dr. Cash will examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine if you're a good candidate.
• The titanium post is surgically placed in your jawbone.
• Your jaw needs time to heal and fuse with the implant (a process called osseointegration).
• Once healed, the abutment is attached to the implant.
• Your custom-made crown is attached, completing your new tooth.

Dental implants are a revolutionary option in restorative dentistry, offering a long-lasting, natural-looking solution for missing teeth. At Pearl Dental Studio, Dr. Lindsay Cash provides dental implant services to help patients regain their full, healthy smiles.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are one of the most versatile tools in restorative dentistry. These custom-made caps fit over your existing tooth, protecting it from further damage and restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance.

Crowns can help if you have:

• Cavities that are too big for a filling
• Cracked or weakened teeth
• Root canal therapy
• Discolored or misshapen teeth
• Dental bridges

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common restorative procedures. They're used to repair cavities (tooth decay) and minor tooth damage.

There are several types of dental fillings:

• Composite Resin: Tooth-colored fillings that blend in with your natural teeth
• Amalgam: Silver-colored fillings made from a mixture of metals
• Gold: Long-lasting but more expensive
• Ceramic: Durable and aesthetically pleasing, but pricier than composite

Getting fillings generally involves the following steps:

• Dr. Cash will remove the decayed portion of your tooth.
• The area is cleaned and prepared.
• The filling material is applied and shaped.
• The material is hardened and polished.

At Pearl Dental Studio, Dr. Cash primarily uses composite resin fillings. They're durable, look natural, and don't contain mercury-like amalgam fillings.

Dental Bridges

If you're missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge can bridge the gap. Bridges are fixed prosthetic devices anchored to your existing teeth or implants on either side of the gap.

The types of dental bridges include:

• Traditional: Anchored to natural teeth on both sides of the gap
• Cantilever: Used when there are teeth on only one side of the gap
• Maryland: Uses a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth
• Implant-supported: Anchored to dental implants for added stability

If you need a dental bridge, the process will usually involve these steps:

• The adjacent teeth are prepared to receive crowns.
• Dr. Cash will take your impressions.
• You’ll receive a temporary bridge
• The permanent bridge is fitted and cemented in place

Bridges improve the appearance of your smile while helping maintain the shape of your face, preventing remaining teeth from drifting out of position and restoring your ability to chew and speak properly.

Full and Partial Dentures

For patients missing all or most of their teeth, dentures can be a life-changing solution. These removable appliances replace missing teeth and help restore your smile, ability to eat, and speech.

The types of dentures available include:

• Full Dentures: Replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw (or both).
• Partial Dentures: Replace some teeth while using your remaining natural teeth for support.
• Immediate Dentures: Placed immediately after tooth extraction.
• Implant-supported Dentures: Anchored to dental implants for improved stability.

The denture-fitting process involves:

• Any remaining teeth that need to be removed are extracted
• Impressions of your gums are taken
• The dentures are crafted in a dental lab
• The dentures are fitted and adjusted as needed

Getting used to dentures can take some time, but Dr. Cash and her team will work with you to ensure a comfortable fit and provide tips for caring for your new teeth.