Restorative Dentistry - Dental Crowns, Implants, Inlays, Onlays
Sometimes, despite a person's best efforts, teeth can become damaged, whether by trauma or simple wear and tear. This damage often affects both the appearance and the function of the teeth, making treatment that combines restorative and cosmetic dentistry a necessity. At Rodney Allen D.D.S., P.C., serving Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock from our Parker, Colorado office, we offer inlays, onlays, dental crowns, and implants to repair nearly any variety of tooth damage. We also offer a range of cosmetic and family dentistry treatments to keep your teeth healthy and looking their best.
Dental Implants
In terms of both function and aesthetics, dental implants are the most realistic method of replacing missing or severely damaged teeth available. Patients with dental implants are able to chew, talk, and smile just as they would with a mouth full of natural teeth. The implant itself is a titanium post that is surgically placed in to the jaw, where it fuses with the bone tissue to provide strong, stable support. Once the bone heals, a custom-crafted crown, bridge, or set of dentures is attached to the top of the implant.
Dr. Allen does not perform the actual surgical implantation of the titanium posts into the jaw; however, he has completed advanced dental implant training through Nobel Biocare™, a world leader in the field of implant dentistry. This has given him the experience and skill to create natural-looking replacement teeth for your dental implants.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used in the treatment of teeth that are structurally compromised, but do not need to be completely replaced. Dr. Rodney Allen typically uses dental crowns made of ceramic porcelain for optimal results, as this material most closely resembles a natural tooth. Once the crown has been placed, the tooth should be strong enough for chewing and other normal daily activities, and it should be almost indistinguishable from the surrounding natural teeth.
In the first stage of the crown procedure, Dr. Allen removes damaged tooth matter and prepares the tooth for the application of the crown. He takes a mold of the damaged tooth and the surrounding area to help create a perfectly shaped crown. At this point, he will also place a temporary crown. It takes about two weeks to fabricate permanent dental crowns for placement. When the permanent crown is ready, Dr. Allen removes the temporary crown and cements to permanent crown securely into place.
Inlays and Onlays
The best ways to repair teeth that are not severely damaged enough to require dental crowns or implants may be inlays or onlays. Available at our Parker office, near Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock, Colorado, inlays and onlays are available in durable tooth-colored porcelain for a discreet, functional repair. Properly placed, an inlay or onlay can actually strengthen the natural tooth.
Dental inlays are used to repair damage in the indented top surface of the tooth. Onlays are designed to repair damage that extends to the top projections of the teeth, known as the cusps. Each inlay and onlay is created from a custom mold of the tooth to ensure a perfect, customized fit.
Inlays and onlays are sometimes used in place of fillings to repair damage caused by tooth decay. Compared to metal fillings, they allow for the preservation of more of the natural tooth structure and for the patient to avoid many of the unwanted side effects of fillings, including temperature sensitivity.
Learn More About Inlays, Onlays, Dental Crowns, and Implants - Contact Us - Highlands Ranch, Parker, Castle Rock, Colorado
If you are suffering from tooth damage, you need to seek treatment promptly. Waiting can mean worse pain and more serious complications, which may necessitate even more costly and time-consuming treatment in the future. Contact Rodney Allen D.D.S., P.C., in Parker, Colorado to learn more about inlays, onlays, dental crowns, and implants. Serving Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, and other nearby communities, our practice offers you the chance to find your ultimate smile, realized.