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Common Dental Procedures in South Hamilton
At Hamilton Dentistry, we gently create beautiful smiles for a healthier, more confident you! Our practice offers leading-edge dental care for the entire family while building lasting relationships with our patients. Over the years, we've had the privilege of caring for multiple generations of families—some who have been with us for over 25 years! By emphasizing patient education and preventive care, we ensure your smile stays healthy for years to come, and we look forward to being a trusted partner in your ongoing oral health journey.
Dental Exams and Cleanings
Regular exams are an important part of maintaining your oral health. During your regular exam, we will:
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Check for any problems that you may not see or feel
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Look for cavities or any other signs of tooth decay
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Inspect your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease
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Perform a thorough teeth cleaning
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Your regular exam will take about 60 minutes. Each regular exam includes a detailed teeth cleaning, in which we will clean, polish, and rinse your teeth to remove any tartar and plaque that have built up on the tooth's surface.
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Visiting our office every six months gives you the chance to talk to Dr. Charles or Dr. Laura about any questions you may have about your oral health. Regular exams are offered by appointment only, so please contact our practice today to schedule your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.
Dental Bonding
Bonding is a conservative way to repair slightly chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth. During dental bonding, a white filling is placed onto your tooth to improve its appearance. The filling “bonds” with your tooth, and because it comes in a variety of tooth-colored shades, it closely matches the appearance of your natural teeth.
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Tooth bonding can also be used for tooth fillings instead of silver amalgam. Many patients prefer bonded fillings because the white color is much less noticeable than silver. Bonding fillings can be used on front or back teeth, depending on the location and extent of tooth decay.
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Bonding is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments and can usually be completed in one visit to our office. However, bonding can stain and is easier to break than other cosmetic treatments, such as porcelain veneers. If it does break or chip, please contact us. The bonding can generally be easily patched or repaired in one visit.
Dental Bridges
A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite.
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A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.
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The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are a restorative procedure used to improve your tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.
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A crown is a “cap” cemented onto an existing tooth that usually covers the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
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Crowns or onlays (partial crowns) are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings, which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression, which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.
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Dentures
Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial. Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Just like natural teeth, dentures need to be properly cared for. Use a gentle cleanser to brush your dentures, always keep them moist when they’re not in use, and be sure to keep your tongue and gums clean as well.
Extractions
There are times when it is necessary to remove a tooth. Sometimes a baby tooth has misshapen or long roots that prevent it from falling out as it should, and the tooth must be removed to make way for the permanent tooth to erupt. At other times, a tooth may have so much decay that it puts the surrounding teeth at risk of decay, so Dr. Charles or Dr. Laura may recommend removal and replacement with a bridge or implant. Infection, orthodontic correction, or problems with a wisdom tooth can also require removal of a tooth.
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When it is determined that a tooth needs to be removed, your dentist may extract the tooth during a regular checkup or may request another visit for this procedure. The root of each tooth is encased within your jawbone in a “tooth socket,” and your tooth is held in that socket by a ligament. In order to extract a tooth, your dentist must expand the socket and separate the tooth from the ligament holding it in place. While this procedure is typically very quick, it is important to share with us any concerns or preferences for sedation.
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Once a tooth has been removed, neighboring teeth may shift, causing problems with chewing or with your jaw joint function. To avoid these complications, we may recommend that you replace the extracted tooth.
Restorations (also know as Fillings)
Traditional dental restoratives, or fillings, may include gold, porcelain, or composite. Newer dental fillings include ceramic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are typically used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. There are two different kinds of fillings: direct and indirect. Direct fillings are fillings placed into a prepared cavity in a single visit. Indirect fillings generally require two or more visits. These fillings include inlays, and veneers fabricated with ceramics or composites.
Fluoride
Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay and in preventing plaque from building up and hardening on the tooth’s surface. A fluoride treatment takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients may be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months.
Implant Restoration
If you are missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause discomfort. When teeth are missing, your mouth can shift, potentially affecting your facial structure and making you appear older. Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, and with proper care, they can last a lifetime!
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An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It consists of two main parts: the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant. For those who prefer a metal-free option, implant restorations can also be crafted entirely from porcelain or zirconia, offering a natural, durable solution. With implant treatment, you can smile confidently knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth.
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In addition to replacing single teeth, implants can be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth, giving you a more stable, natural-looking smile.
Mouthguards
Whether you wear braces or not, protecting your smile while playing sports is essential. Many studies show that a well made custom fit mouthguard reduces severity of concussions. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in any kind of full-contact sport, the American Dental Association recommends that you wear a mouthguard.
Choosing the right mouthguard is essential. There are three basic types of mouthguards: the pre-made mouthguard, the “boil-and-bite” fitted mouthguard, and a custom-made mouthguard that can be made in our office. When you choose a mouthguard, be sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth, easy to keep clean, and does not prevent you from breathing properly. Our dental team can show you how to wear a mouthguard properly and how to choose the right mouthguard to protect your smile.
Custom Nightguards
If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you catch yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you might have a common condition called 'bruxism.' Many people don't realize they grind their teeth since it often happens during sleep. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss.
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At Hamilton Dentistry, we are highly trained and experienced in treating bruxism with custom nightguards. We go beyond standard solutions by using advanced scanning technology to ensure a perfect fit, and we handcraft your custom nightguard on-site in our office. Made from soft, durable material, your nightguard is tailored specifically to your smile, preventing damage from grinding while you sleep and ensuring long-lasting protection.
Root Canals
In the past, a diseased nerve often meant losing a tooth. Today, a root canal treatment can save your tooth. When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can infect the pulp tissue inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess can form, leading to pain and swelling, and potentially harming your jawbones and overall health.
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Root canal treatment typically takes one to three visits. During the procedure, Dr. Charles, Dr. Laura, or an endodontist (a specialist in tooth nerve issues) will remove the infected tissue, clean the interior of the tooth, and seal it. The tooth is then filled with a dental composite. If there is extensive decay, we may recommend a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breaking. With proper care, including regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.
Dental Sealants
Brushing your teeth is important, but it can be hard to clean those tricky spots in your mouth. Tiny cracks and grooves on your teeth can be hard to reach, and if left alone, they can develop tooth decay. Sealants provide extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities.
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Dental sealants are plastic resins that bond and harden in the deep grooves on your teeth's surface. Once a tooth is sealed, the tiny grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. This makes brushing your teeth easier and more effective in preventing tooth decay.
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Sealants are often applied to children's teeth as a preventive measure after their permanent teeth have erupted. However, adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth. It is more common to seal permanent teeth rather than baby teeth, but Dr. Charles or Dr. Laura will recommend what's best for your unique needs.
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Sealants typically last from three to five years, but some adults still have sealants from their childhood. A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealants come off, let us know and schedule an appointment to have them re-sealed.
Veneers
You deserve to smile confidently without worrying about gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth. Veneers can transform your smile, correcting imperfections to give you a beautiful, confident look. They appear natural and are an excellent option for those who are good candidates and wish to enhance their smile subtly and effectively.
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Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted from tooth-colored materials like porcelain, designed to cover the front of your teeth. If you are a good candidate for veneers, we will create a unique model of your teeth, which is then used to make your custom veneers. To ensure the best results, we may need to prepare your teeth before placing the veneers.
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Once your veneers are in place, you'll be delighted with how natural they look. Though veneers are stain-resistant, we might suggest avoiding coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to keep your smile looking its best.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are molars at the back of your mouth that usually appear in the late teens or early twenties. They can become impacted due to lack of space or improper angle, causing gum tenderness, swelling, or pain, and may need removal. Impacted wisdom teeth are difficult to clean and are prone to decay, infections, and gum disease.
Typically, wisdom teeth are removed in the late teens or early twenties when the roots are not fully formed, and the surrounding bone is less dense, making extraction easier and recovery faster. In cases where wisdom tooth extraction is needed, we work closely with select, highly regarded oral surgeons to ensure the best possible outcomes for all your oral surgery needs.
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Since an impacted tooth may still be under the gums and embedded in your jawbone, your dentist may need to remove a portion of the covering bone to extract the tooth. The procedure typically involves numbing the area with local anesthetic, removing some bone to access the tooth, and sectioning the tooth to remove it through a small opening. Healing time can vary, and your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions to ensure a smooth recovery process.
