Restorative dentistry for a healthier smile in Greensboro, NC
No matter how well you take care of your teeth, there may be times in life when you need restorative dental care, such as a filling, crown, or a tooth replacement option such as a dental implant. From traumatic injuries to infections and decay, a number of issues can lead to the necessity for restorative dentistry. When tooth pain strikes or cosmetic issues such as cracks and chips occur, patients in the Greensboro, NC area can trust Triad Dentistry to relieve their pain and restore their smiles back to health.
What is restorative dentistry?
“Restorative dentistry” is the area of dentistry that is devoted to the integrated care and management of oral health issues and repairing or replacing broken or damaged teeth. The end goal of restorative dentistry is not just to make your tooth look normal again—though it certainly does that!—but also to help bring your mouth back to a healthy, functional state so that you can speak, chew, and smile with ease. The term “prosthodontic dentistry” is sometimes used interchangeably with “restorative dentistry.”
Types of dental issues that may require restorative dental care
When most patients think of a dentist fixing a tooth, the first thing that comes to mind is getting a filling in a tooth with a cavity. But thanks to advances in dental technologies and materials, that is just one of many restorative dentistry options available to patients to help save their teeth or to replace a missing tooth with a natural-looking, functional alternative. Restorative dental care is used when issues occur that cause a portion or all of a tooth to become damaged, such as:
- A broken or chipped tooth
- Tooth decay
- Loss of a tooth due to injury
- Tooth infection or abscesses
- Tooth infection or abscesses
- Damage to the pulp of a tooth
- A tooth needs to be extracted
Get Back Your Smile With Restorative Dentistry Greensboro NC
Restorative dentistry for a healthy and functional smile.
No matter how well you take care of your teeth, there may be times in life when you need restorative dental care such as a filling, crown, or tooth replacement options such as a dental implant.
When tooth pain strikes or cosmetic issues such as cracks and chips occur, patients can trust Doctors at Triad Dentistry to relieve the pain and restore their smiles back to health.
Restorative dentistry is the area of dentistry that is devoted to the integrated care and management of oral health issues in repairing or replacing broken or damaged teeth.
The end goal of restorative dentistry is not just to make your tooth look normal again, though it certainly does that, but also to help bring your mouth back to a healthy functional state so that you can speak chew and smile with ease.
Thanks to advances in dental technologies, there are many restorative dentistry options available for patients to help save the teeth or to replace a missing tooth with a natural-looking.
Restorative dental care is used when issues occur that cause a portion or all of a tooth to become damaged.
Such as a broken or chipped tooth, tooth decay, loss of a tooth due to injury, tooth infection or abscesses, or damage to the pulp of a tooth.
Depending on the nature and extent of the damage to your tooth one or more treatment options may be a good fit for your needs.
Doctors at Triad Dentistry will recommend the most minimally invasive options possible to help restore your dental health and maintain a natural-looking beautiful smile.
With comfortable and effective restorative dentistry options Doctors at Triad Dentistry in Greensboro, North Carolina, can help return your smile back to health in no time.
So you can get back to doing the things you love pain-free.
Restorative dental treatment options
Depending on the nature and extent of the damage to your tooth, one or more treatment options may be a good fit for your needs. The doctors at Triad Dentistry will recommend the most minimally invasive options possible to help restore your dental health and maintain a natural-looking, beautiful smile. These may include either direct tooth restorations, which involve preparing your tooth and placing materials into it or on it to restore its health and function or indirect restorations, which are customized tooth replacement options. Common dental restorations we provide at the practice are described in more detail below.
When a tooth has a small area of decay (a cavity), placing a tooth-colored filling is a simple and
effective procedure for eliminating the decay and restoring the tooth to its full function. First,
the doctor will numb the treatment area so you are comfortable throughout the procedure and will
then use dental tools to remove the area of decay and clean the tooth. Then, a strong composite
resin material is used to fill the space in the tooth that was created for a natural-looking,
functional tooth. No one will ever know the tooth has been filled!
Dental bonding is an affordable and quick procedure that can not only help restore the health of a
tooth but also make it more aesthetically pleasing – all in just one visit. Bonding can be a great
choice for patients who have chipped or cracked teeth, teeth that have been worn down due to
grinding or a bite that is off, and even for patients who want to close a small gap between their
teeth or slightly change a tooth’s shape. At Triad Dentistry, we use a porcelain-based composite
material that is custom designed to match your natural tooth color, so it blends in seamlessly with
the rest of your smile. Anesthesia is unnecessary for the bonding procedure. First, the doctor
slightly roughens the tooth with a conditioning gel and then applies the composite bonding material
in strategic locations on the tooth, curing it with a UV light. Then, the bonding is custom-shaped
and polished to match your other teeth.
Sometimes, the content in the inner portion of a tooth, called the pulp chamber, becomes compromised
due to infection, injury, or decay. When this occurs, it can cause immense pain due to nerve damage
in the tooth. The best way to save your natural tooth in this situation is to have a root canal
performed. While root canals have a bad reputation for being painful, arduous procedures, they are
actually painless with the use of modern dental anesthetics and can provide much-needed relief from
the intense pain that the tooth is causing you. During a root canal, the dentist drills a small hole
in the tooth to access the pulp chamber, and then removes the nerve and diseased tissues and
sanitizes the area. The tooth is then filled with a rubbery material called gutta percha, and then
typically sealed and protected with a custom-made crown.
A dental crown is a common tooth restoration option that protects a damaged tooth from future decay
and allows you to use the tooth normally while you eat and speak. Typically, creating and placing
dental crowns takes multiple visits spaced weeks apart and the need for “babying” a temporary crown
during that time, but Triad Dentistry is equipped with the revolutionary CEREC technology, which
allows you to have a crown designed, created, and placed all on the same day. Our doctors prepare
your tooth for the crown and then take digital impressions of your mouth, which are then used by a
computer program to custom-design the crown for a precise fit. The CEREC milling machine then
fabricates the crown from a block of porcelain while you relax in the office – depending on the
patient, the crown can be ready in just 10 minutes! The doctor will then place the crown and you are
free to get back to your normal routine, without the need for follow-up appointments or return
visits.
Considered the “gold standard” in tooth replacement, dental implants offer the best and
longest-lasting fit and function. In fact, an implant that is taken care of can last the rest of
your lifetime and will look and function as close to a normal tooth as possible. Implant placement
is a multi-step process. First, the doctor will place an implant post-surgically into your jawbone,
where it will then actually fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This fusion is
what makes implants so stable and strong. Once osseointegration has occurred, a joining piece called
an abutment is placed on the implant post, and then after your tissues have healed, a
custom-designed tooth replacement, such as a porcelain crown, is attached to the abutment. While the
implant process takes several months, patients find that it is well worth the wait when they are
able to enjoy all the foods they love without worry!
Another common tooth replacement option is a porcelain bridge. A bridge can be used to replace one
or more adjacent teeth and consists of custom-made replacement teeth that “bridge” the gap in your
mouth and crowns on each side to anchor the bridge in your mouth. Triad Dentistry uses CEREC
technology to fabricate your bridge for one-day treatment.
If you are missing multiple teeth, a full or partial denture is a terrific, affordable option for
replacing the teeth and restoring your ability to eat, laugh, and speak clearly. Triad Dentistry
provides customized natural-looking dentures so you can smile with confidence.
Dr. Chad T. Merrell, a dedicated dentist with 16 years of experience, combines his deep expertise and advanced training to provide exceptional care. A Temple University School of Dentistry alumnus and Advanced Education in General Dentistry resident at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Merrell is skilled in advanced dental techniques. His commitment to patient care, treating each as family, underscores his trustworthiness. His background includes a B.S. in Zoology from N.C. State University and an Eagle Scout honor, highlighting his long-standing dedication to excellence. You can trust Dr. Merrell for compassionate, cutting-edge dental care.
Dr. Sona J. Isharani is a board-certified pediatric dentist renowned for her compassionate care and expertise. With a background that combines hands-on parenting experience and specialized training, Dr. Isharani excels in creating a comforting, home-like environment for children and their families. Affectionately known as "Dr. Sona," she emphasizes education and preventive care to ensure lifelong dental health. At Triad Pediatric Dentistry, she provides exceptional dental care and maintains continuity of care as children transition to adulthood, reflecting her commitment to building trust and fostering long-term relationships with her patients.
Dr. Victoria L. Santiago-Coiro is a highly experienced dentist with over 16 years in practice, specializing in comprehensive dental care. She holds a degree in Molecular Biology from Montclair State University and graduated from UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School in 2005. Dr. Santiago-Coiro earned a Fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry in 2011 and is advancing toward Scholar status with the Dawson Academy, focusing on complex bite and TMJ issues. Her commitment to continuous learning and patient care reflects her dedication to providing exceptional dental care.
Dr. Bailey Walker is a dedicated general dentist known for her compassionate care and patient-centered approach. With a B.Sc. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biology from Illinois State University and a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from Southern Illinois University, she combines extensive academic knowledge with hands-on expertise. Dr. Walker is pursuing a fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, underscoring her commitment to professional excellence. Her community engagement includes dental mission trips and volunteering for underserved populations. Dr. Walker’s emphasis on patient education and her caring nature foster a trusted, positive dental experience.
Schedule your consultation at Triad Dentistry
Depending on the nature and extent of the damage to your tooth, one or more treatment options may be a good fit for your needs. The doctors at Triad Dentistry will recommend the most minimally invasive options possible to help restore your dental health and maintain a natural-looking, beautiful smile.
