How Can I Fix Teeth That Are Hurt or Worn Down?

Experiencing a dental injury or discomfort is never fun, but the situation doesn’t have to be permanent. With Sage Dental Care on your side, patients can regain the strong, healthy smile they deserve in record time. Dr. Batliner and the rest of our accomplished doctors offer a wide range of quality restorative services that can treat minor cavities, full-blown missing teeth, and many situations in-between. Take a look at the questions below to see what best fits your situation, or contact us today to schedule your appointment. Our team serves patients in Lafayette, Westminster, and Boulder, CO through three separate office locations.

What Do I Do if I Have a Cavity?

Cavities are one of the most common dental problems patients of all ages face, and our doctors will do their best to treat them as soon as possible to prevent further damage to teeth. Having a filling placed is the easiest and fastest way to correct the issue. During this procedure, we’ll gently numb the area surrounding the tooth, remove the decayed portion of the tooth, and then (as the name implies) “fill” it, rebuilding the tooth’s full shape and restoring its strength as well.

While fillings are the ideal solution for treating small cavities, bigger ones may need an alternative. If a tooth has become significantly decayed, our team is likely to recommend a custom dental crown, which is designed to fully cover the tooth and protect the existing structure while renewing its appearance, function, and durability.  

What is a Tooth-Colored Filling?

Older patients will surely remember the traditional amalgam metals that once made up a traditional filling. However, advances in restorative care have resulted in a much more effective and lifelike alternative – tooth-colored fillings.

Tooth-colored fillings are made of high-quality composite resin material, which can be shaded to create a precise match for your natural smile. Once sculpted into place, the result is virtually seamless. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, composite resin is also much more flexible, allowing us to preserve more of the tooth’s remaining healthy structure than before, and less sensitive to changes in temperature as well for a more comfortable fit and feel. Their durable, confident nature can serve patients well at Sage Dental Care for many years to come!

Do I Need a Dental Crown or Bridge?

Dental crowns are designed to completely cover individual teeth, restoring their shape, strength, function, and appearance. These restorations are highly versatile, and our team may recommend them in a number of situations, including the following:

• When a tooth is too decayed to be treated successfully with a filling.
• When a tooth is injured.
• When a tooth is weakened to the point that fracturing is a likely possibility.
• When a tooth has been treated with root canal therapy and needs extra protection.
• When a tooth has noticeable cosmetic imperfections and needs correction.

Alternatively, dental bridges (used in conjunction with crowns) can replace one or more missing teeth in a row within your smile. Many patients prefer bridges to traditional dentures because they’re actually anchored in place for a secure, confident result. 

How Can I Replace Missing Teeth?

If you’re struggling with extensive tooth loss, dentures can provide reliable, affordable coverage. These tried-and-true prosthetics have been around for hundreds of years, and today, they’re more modern, comfortable, and secure than ever before. At Sage Dental Care, we can design the ideal full or partial appliance for your unique smile, depending on your current needs. Some patients prefer the traditional, removable version for more convenient cleaning and storage, while implant-retained models are also available for greater permanence and stability.  Our doctors will be happy to help you determine which option fits your current oral health and personal needs best.

Will I Lose My Tooth?

If you have a tooth that’s suffered a severe injury or advanced decay, saving it may seem like a hopeless dream. However, there is hope here in Layfette, Boulder, and Westminster – our doctors may recommend root canal therapy as the last line of defense. This procedure is essentially a saving grace, helping to remove dangerous infection from the tooth’s deepest layers so that it can continue to thrive within your smile.

During root canal therapy, one of our doctors will carefully access the inner pulp of the tooth, removing it in order to replace it with a safe, biocompatible substitute. After cleaning all of the harmful bacteria out of the tooth, the structure will be sealed shut and (in most cases) restored with a custom dental crown or filling. Despite its reputation, root canal therapy isn’t a scary procedure in the least – with today’s advancements in technology and anesthetic, it’s more comfortable than ever!

What Happens if You Can’t Repair My Tooth?

Our team will exhaust every avenue we have when it comes to repairing ailing natural teeth, but extraction might still become a necessity. If you find yourself faced with this situation, rest assured that we’ll handle the procedure as comfortably and smoothly as possible. Nitrous oxide sedation is available to help patients feel more at ease, and our doctors can start working with you right away on finding the right tooth replacement solution if needed. Common reasons for tooth extraction include:

• The tooth has suffered a traumatic, non-recoverable injury
• The patient is experiencing an advanced stage of gum (periodontal) disease
• The tooth is so severely decayed that restorative care can’t correct the problem
• One or more teeth need to be removed to make room for vital orthodontic treatment

My Back Teeth Hurt. Do They Need To Be Removed?

It’s a possibility. Third molars (more commonly known as “wisdom teeth”) are the last adult teeth to emerge into your smile, typically arriving between the ages of 16-21. Sadly, most patients’ mouths don’t have enough room left to accommodate them at this point, which can result in impaction (the tooth becoming trapped beneath the gum line), infection, overcrowding, and other serious problems. As patients grow, our doctors will closely monitor this situation, and they may recommend wisdom tooth extraction in order to protect your overall oral health and wellbeing.