Dental Filling

A dental filling is a restorative option to repair minor to moderate tooth damage. We may recommend a filling if a tooth has been damaged by decay, has a cavity, or suffers from minor fracturing or chipping. The dental filling is used to restore the tooth to its original structure and function, improving the look of your smile.

Two main types of dental fillings are available: amalgam and composite.

The process for placing a dental filling requires just one visit in which our Austin dentists will first remove the decayed and damaged portion of the tooth and then clean it to remove all traces of decay. We then fill the area with the filling material and shape it to match your tooth’s shape. Finally, our dentists harden the filling to make it long-lasting.

Dental Bridge

We may recommend a dental bridge as a restorative measure for your smile if you are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth in a row. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration, meaning it is non-removable. The dental bridge is anchored in place by using two dental crowns, which are custom-made to fit your smile and placed on the teeth or dental implants next to the space left by the missing tooth. These crowns hold the artificial tooth to restore your smile, ensuring that your restoration will not easily shift or come loose. It typically requires only two visits to our practice to complete a dental bridge. Dental bridges are designed to last for many years and restore your smile’s function, beauty, and health.

The benefits of dental bridges in Austin are numerous:

  • Restore your ability to speak, eat, and chew normally
  • Alleviate excess stress on the bite
  • Improve the shape and volume of your face
  • Replace an unwanted removable partial denture
  • Prevent the remaining natural teeth from moving out of position
  • Enhance the appearance of your smile
  • Restore your ability to speak, eat, and chew normally
  • Alleviate excess stress on the bite
  • Improve the shape and volume of your face
  • Replace an unwanted removable partial denture
  • Prevent the remaining natural teeth from moving out of position
  • Enhance the appearance of your smile

Dental Crown

A dental crown (often referred to as a “cap”) is a restoration that can be used for a number of purposes. One of the most common uses of a dental crown is to restore a tooth significantly damaged or decayed. The crown is custom-made to fit over the entire tooth, starting at the gum line, in order to restore the tooth to its original shape and size. Dental crowns can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal; porcelain crowns are popular because they match the natural color and appearance of your teeth. Our dentists will help you determine which type of dental crown is right for your smile. Crowns serve many purposes, including:

  • Protect a tooth following root canal treatment
  • Anchor and attach a dental bridge
  • Cover and complete a dental implant
  • Enhance the beauty of your smile
  • Improve a misshapen tooth
  • Strengthen a tooth that is fractured or weak
  • Support a large filling when little natural tooth structure remains
  • Protect a tooth following root canal treatment
  • Anchor and attach a dental bridge
  • Cover and complete a dental implant
  • Enhance the beauty of your smile
  • Improve a misshapen tooth
  • Strengthen a tooth that is fractured or weak
  • Support a large filling when little natural tooth structure remains

Dentures

One tooth replacement option in Austin is dentures. Dentures are removable oral appliances used to replace multiple missing teeth. If you are missing some or all of your teeth, dentures might be just what you need to restore your smile’s function, beauty, and health.

There are two kinds of dentures: complete dentures and partial dentures.

  • A complete denture is used to replace all of the teeth in a full dental arch. Depending on your needs, we may suggest a complete denture to replace all teeth in one or both arches. Our dentists may suggest using a denture adhesive for improved stability.
  • A partial denture is used if you are missing multiple teeth but have natural teeth remaining. A partial denture often includes a thin framework or clasps that attach to the natural teeth for a secure fit.
  • A complete denture is used to replace all of the teeth in a full dental arch. Depending on your needs, we may suggest a complete denture to replace all teeth in one or both arches. Our dentists may suggest using a denture adhesive for improved stability.
  • A partial denture is used if you are missing multiple teeth but have natural teeth remaining. A partial denture often includes a thin framework or clasps that attach to the natural teeth for a secure fit.

Dental Implants

Please visit our dental implants page for more information about this restorative dentistry procedure in Austin. Dental implants may be the best tooth replacement option if you are missing a few or all of your teeth. Our dentists perform this oral surgery on-site, and the time commitment will be well worth the result. Dental implants are permanent and should last the rest of your life if properly cared for according to your dentist’s instructions.

Occlusal Repositioning

With occlusion repositioning at Barton Oaks Dental Group, our dentists will equilibrate the contact points between opposing teeth. In other words, we will make sure that your upper and lower teeth meet in the right spots and with the right balance to achieve an ideal bite. An ideal bite will prevent issues like abnormal tooth wear, pain, and teeth grinding. TMJ is often caused by malocclusion.

Occlusal repositioning, or occlusal adjustment, is usually performed in three stages. Our Austin restorative dentists will make casts of the teeth so that the bite relationships of the upper and lower teeth can be analyzed. Our dentists will then achieve bite equilibration on the casts. This may involve the removal of the cast tooth structure and/or adding tooth structure. Using the cast as a guide, our dentists will adjust your teeth. The tooth structure shaping portion of the treatment will be performed first.

After each adjustment, our dentists will check how the teeth come together using a bite marking ribbon. This may involve multiple appointments. When the tooth shaping is complete, dental fluoride may be applied to strengthen the enamel and to re-establish a less porous enamel surface. If restorative dental treatment (fillings, onlays, crowns, etc.) is also needed, those will be performed separately.

Restorative Dentistry in Austin, Texas

With the most innovative dental technology and an in-house dental lab, restorative dentistry at Barton Oaks Dental Group is less time-consuming and more affordable because nothing is sent off-site. Please call our office to schedule an appointment (512) 327-6947 or fill out our online contact form.