Friday 30 March 2018

How Dental Implants Improve Restoration Functionality



There may come a time when you need to restore a broken, cracked, or weakened tooth. As much you expect your teeth to last forever, tooth decay and dental trauma can cause significant complications for your smile.

When you have a tooth that is no longer functional on its own, consider restorative procedures. Durable and beautiful prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants are popular options for improving the strength and stability of your teeth.

Particularly popular are dental implants, which consist of titanium screws that are placed within the jawbone. Although you might believe that only a dental crown is necessary, an implant can significantly improve both health and function.

Why an Implant May Be Necessary


The crown of your tooth is the visible portion of the gum line. It’s what you brush and floss on a daily basis, and it’s what makes up your smile. Although much attention is paid to the crowns of your teeth, much of your dentition is beneath the gums.

The roots of your teeth keep your crowns in place and supply them with necessary nutrients. When these are damaged, the is also vulnerable. Without healthy tooth roots, the crowns of your teeth are essentially useless.

A dental implant replaces the natural root of your tooth, increasing strength and functionality. Once the implant heals, a ceramic crown can be secured, creating a comprehensive replica of your natural tooth.

The implant and crown work together to restore the health of your smile. Without the dental implant, you may be putting yourself at risk for resorption, where jaw bone volume starts to diminish.

Life After Dental Implant Placement


Receiving dental implants may sound like a complicated treatment, but the procedure is safe and results in a healthy smile. Once your implants have healed and restorations are placed, you can expect your new restorations to act just like your natural teeth. You can eat and drink all of your favorite foods and practice the same oral hygiene techniques as you normally would.

The goal of dental implant treatment is to restore your smile to complete health. Dentition that is fully functional will improve your quality of life and ensure that you take full advantage of a healthy set of teeth.

Call Today to Learn More!


For more information about dental implants, contact our office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Dowd in Pleasant Hill today!

Friday 16 February 2018

Benefits of Composite Resin vs. Amalgam Fillings

At the office of Kevin T. Dowd, DDS, we focus on providing our patients with quality dental care that benefits them holistically. In order to better serve our patients of Contra Costa County, we provide only composite resin fillings to protect our patients from the mercury found in traditional amalgam fillings. With the county’s current ban, we too are focused on keeping our community healthy and smiling. Below are some benefits of composite resin fillings compared to amalgam.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Traditional metal fillings are noticeable in the smile. Like porcelain, composite resin fillings have the look and feel like natural teeth, while the shade of the material can be matched to the coloring of your existing teeth. If you have a chip or a filling in the front or visible parts of your smile, white fillings offer a discreet treatment that restores aesthetics. This versatility allows for composite fillings to be used to treat chipped, broken, or worn teeth, not just for cavities and decay.

Retaining Healthy Tooth Enamel

When receiving a metal filling, more of the tooth structure must be removed to properly bond the restoration. Composite resin fillings spare the additional preparation by removing less structure than needed for traditional fillings. White fillings provide further support to the tooth structure by chemically bonding to the enamel. This may require more time in the chair and additional visits to ensure proper coloring and placement.

Biocompatible

A small percentage of patients are allergic to the mercury found in amalgam fillings. Mercury can be a highly toxic chemical and is harmful to patients. Metal fillings can exude a low level of mercury vapor, and over time this can be detrimental to overall health.

Composite resin fillings allow patients a healthier alternative to amalgam fillings. Made from a mixture of plastics and glass materials, tooth-colored fillings are safer for those with known metal allergies. Although they do not last as long as metal fillings, they offer long-lasting health benefits that keep the smile mercury free.

Schedule Your Appointment in Pleasant Hill Today!


Composite fillings offer natural looking and healthier alternative to metal fillings. If you are interested in learning more about composite resin filings in Pleasant Hill and the surrounding communities throughout Contra Costa County, contact the office of Kevin T. Dowd, DDS in today for more information about our aesthetically pleasing restorations.