Restorative Dentistry
 The goal of restorative dentistry is to repair or replace tooth structure lost to disease (cavities) or trauma. In our office we practice a minimally invasive approach that preserves as much of the tooth as possible. Most importantly, we focus on prevention and enhancing health instead of just reacting to disease-"drilling and filling."The next step is identifying problems early; this way the solution is the simplest and least invasive (like a small filling for a small cavity instead of a root canal and crown if the cavity is large). This is the best way to ensure the tooth has a chance to last a lifetime. Today there are a wide range of materials that Dr. Grote can use to aesthetically restore the health of your damaged tooth or teeth.
Dental Fillings
Direct restorations or "filings" are used when damage is limited and there is sufficient remaining tooth to support the material. Today, composite resin (a tooth colored material) is used to repair the tooth instead of silver amalgam. The main advantage is that resin bonds to the tooth which helps us preserve more of your own tooth structure which improves the longevity of the filling and the life of the tooth. Dr. Grote One of the most common questions we get in our office is : "How long is this going to last?" The answer is: "It depends on three things: how big or small the restoration is, how well it is done, and how it is maintained." The smaller the filling, the longer it will last. And when it eventually needs replacement (nothing lasts forever!), the replacement restoration still has tooth to support it. As for quality-we aim for perfection in our work and guarantee everything for quality and durability. The final and most important part of the equation is maintenance. Firstly, how did the problem occur? And what do we change to avoid recurrence? One of the most important parts of our job (and the one most likely to be skipped in the past) is to teach you what it takes to keep the filling and tooth healthy-things like proper brushing and flossing techniques. In this way, we partner with you to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Learn more about tooth-colored fillings here...
Dental Bonding
Composite fillings (often called "bonding") are composed of a tooth colored resin that is adapted to the tooth and hardened with a special light. Prior to bonding, an etchant is placed to roughen the surface, and a primer agent is then applied so the bond will adhere properly. Learn more here...
Dental Crowns
Crowns are used to restore teeth severely damaged by fracture or decay. After the tooth surface is cleaned and prepared, the crown is placed to cover the remainder of the tooth. The crown strengthens the tooth structure and helps prevent future decay. Crowns also improve the tooth's look, shape and alignment. Read more about dental crowns...
Dental Bridges
Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth in both a cosmetic and functional fashion. A bridge structure is one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by natural teeth, crowns or implants on each side of the bridge. Using a bridge to fill the gap from missing teeth helps restore proper bite. It also prevents teeth from shifting to fill the gap (which may lead to additional bite and jaw joint issues). Bridges can be constructed from gold, porcelain and metal, or ceramic. Learn more...
Dental Implants
Implants may be the best option for replacing missing teeth. An implant is a titanium post that is attached directly to the jawbone. After the bone and surrounding tissue has healed, an artificial tooth is attached to the implant. Implants provide superior benefits compared to bridges as they do not depend on neighboring teeth for structural support. Implants are the closest dental structure in durability to natural teeth and have greater cosmetic appeal. Read more...
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