We are very pleased to offer our patients from Hampton, Newport News, LAFB, Fort Monroe, Fort Eustis, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, Norfolk, VA Beach, and other parts of the Greater Hampton Roads area our general dentistry services to keep their dental health in peak condition. Please keep reading to learn more about the general dental services we offer at Hampton Dental Center
Fillings
We offer our patients three different materials for their fillings: gold, composite resin and amalgam (the silver fillings that have been placed for many years). Each type of filling material has advantages and disadvantages. Many of our patients prefer composite resin fillings because they are tooth-colored, require less natural tooth material to be drilled away in preparation and do not cause the sensitivities that amalgam fillings may cause.
When treating decay, we will use a safe chemical for the detection of cavities to help us ensure that all decayed tooth material has been completely removed before beginning to place the filling. This method of double-checking the drilled area also prevents us from removing any non-infected tooth tissue.
If you have amalgam fillings that have been in your mouth for many years, it’s possible that they will need replacing. An amalgam filling expands and contracts when it comes in contact with hot or cold food or drinks and eventually can break down the surrounding tooth. When we replace your old amalgam fillings with new composite material, we will take special precautions to eliminate amalgam dust and particles to minimize your exposure to their components.
Crowns
A crown is a durable ceramic cover for a tooth that protects it and extends its life. It is used when a tooth has been damaged, has fractured, suffered significant decay or lost a large piece. A tooth that has had root canal therapy should be crowned because the loss of the nerve and blood supply will cause that tooth to become brittle.
The very versatile crown is also used for cosmetic purposes to provide a more pleasing shape or appearance to one or more teeth. When a bridge is needed to replace a missing tooth, two crowns on either side of the gap will anchor the replacement tooth.
A crown is created in a dental lab after your tooth is prepared in our office. The crown is then firmly cemented onto the prepared tooth and, with proper care, can last for many years.
There are four common types of crowns:
CERAMIC
This type of crown is often used for teeth that are visible when smiling as they are made from a porcelain-based material that retains the look of your natural teeth.
PORCELAIN FUSED TO METAL
These crowns are known for their strength and durability while also allowing for a natural-looking restoration.
GOLD ALLOYS
These may be used when more strength is needed, particularly for patients who grind their teeth at night.
BASE METAL ALLOYS
These are strong and corrosion-resistant and are often used when there is less existing tooth structure available to support the crown restoration.
Inlays and Onlays
Both inlays and onlays are created in a dental lab and placed in your mouth at Hampton Dental Center. They are used when a tooth has a large area of decay because they are stronger than a composite or gold filling. Inlays and onlays can be made from tooth-colored ceramic or gold.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy enables us to save the function of a tooth that has suffered an infection which has damaged the pulp and nerve of a tooth. To preserve this tooth, your dentist will drill an opening into the top of the tooth and clean out all pulp and nerve tissue. The empty interior of the tooth will be filled with sterile material and the tooth will be sealed up. A crown is recommended to strengthen this tooth, enabling it to last for many more years and perhaps the rest of a patient’s life.
Extractions
While we will work hard to save teeth, sometimes the best solution is an extraction. This is true when:
Teeth need to be removed for orthodontic treatment to be successful
A tooth is so damaged or infected that it can’t be saved
The body has produced extra teeth that are not needed
In addition to these causes, many people have wisdom teeth that are positioned in the wrong place or are trying to grow in the wrong direction. Eliminating pain and the possibility of infection in this area means that these teeth must be removed.
We perform extractions as needed at Hampton Dental Center, but we may refer patients to an oral surgeon for more complex extractions.
Partial and Complete Dentures
Partial and complete dentures are time-honored and effective methods of restoring a full set of teeth to a patient. Today’s dentures are far more comfortable and long-lasting than the dentures of a generation ago. We take pride in preparing dentures that look beautiful, have an excellent fit and are stable in the mouth.
The choices we offer for dentures include:
Complete, removable dentures for either the upper or lower jaw
Partial, removable dentures that replace a few missing teeth
An over-denture that fits over a few remaining teeth or dental implants
Fixed, implant-anchored dentures
Fixed, partial dentures (also called “bridges”) that are secured to teeth on either side of a gap
Your Comfort Is Important
As you receive these treatments, your comfort is a high priority for us. Please let us know ahead of time if you have concerns or fears about dental care.