Mundy Mill Dental Mike Martin, DDS & Ben Martin, DMD

Tooth-colored Fillings

When a tooth needs minor repair, a dental filling may be used. Composite resin plastic fillings are available in natural-looking shades and may be used to restore small areas of teeth that have been damaged by decay or chipping. The affected area is shaped to retain the resin material, which is then bonded to the tooth surface and adjusted for bite balance and appearance.

Composite fillings are a practical means of restoring small defects with minimal removal of natural tooth structure, or, as a buildup material in preparation for a permanent crown.

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Dental Crowns

When the overall strength of a tooth has been compromised due to broken fillings, decay, root canal or trauma, a crown may be recommended to protect remaining tooth structure from further damage. True to its name, a crown covers the “crown” of a tooth, which includes the entire surface of the tooth above the gumline. Crowns are made of gold, metal, or porcelain.

Because of the ability to customize the shape of teeth and closely match tooth shades, all-porcelain crowns and veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry to brighten and enhance smile appearance.

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Tooth Replacement

Dental Implants have been used for nearly half a century to replace missing teeth. These small surgical cylinders replace the function of the tooth root and can be restored with a dental crown to achieve a natural-looking result. Dr. Ben Martin completed a residency gaining extensive training in the placement and restoration of dental implants.

Dental Bridges are a fixed replacement for missing teeth which relies on adjacent teeth to support a “false” tooth (or multiple teeth) to fill the space created by tooth loss. A bridge can be supported by natural teeth or is sometimes supported by dental implants.

Partial & Complete Dentures are removable appliances that provide tooth replacement when multiple teeth have been lost due to disease or trauma. A removable partial typically has clasps that rest on natural teeth to secure a metal or acrylic base structure mounted with “false” teeth to fill spaces left by missing teeth. A complete denture replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower arch, and is generally the last option considered.

Special precision attachments are also available to make removable dentures fit more snugly in the mouth. In cases of multiple tooth loss, dentures are often combined with dental implants to further improve biting and chewing capabilities.

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Periodontal Care

Periodontal (Gum) Disease is a progressive disease that begins when bacteria penetrate and grow beneath the gums. As the disease spreads, gum tissue and eventually bone become infected and are destroyed. If left untreated, periodontal disease will break down enough bone and gum tissue to cause the teeth in the affected area to become loose and eventually fall out.

Early Detection is the key to effective treatment of periodontal disease. If detected early through regular dental checkups, periodontal disease can often be treated with non-surgical gum treatments supported by effective home care and medicated mouth rinses. Our Dentists work closely with a gum specialist, or Periodontist in cases of advanced periodontal disease or extensive bone loss.

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Root Canal Therapy

When one or more teeth are missing, adjacent teeth can shift into the open space and jaw bone levels can deteriorate over time. If a patient's teeth are lost at an early age, this can result in serious and costly oral health problems in later years. If the root of a tooth becomes infected, the tooth itself can often be saved. A root canal is usually recommended to save the tooth and protect the bite whenever possible, rather than extraction.

During a root canal procedure, a small opening is made in the crown of the tooth, the nerve and infected tissue are removed. The tooth is then sealed and restored with a dental crown to protect it from further deterioration.