Restorative dentistry in Merrick, NY

The services in this group fall into two families. Repair restorations save a tooth that is still in place. Dental fillings treat small to moderate cavities and cracks with tooth-colored composite. Dental crowns cover a tooth that is too weak, worn or broken for a filling, restoring its full shape and strength. Root canal treatment removes an infected or inflamed nerve from inside the tooth so the tooth can be kept, usually followed by a crown.

Replacement restorations stand in for a tooth that is gone. Dental bridges are fixed in place, anchored to neighboring teeth or implants, and fill one or several gaps in a row. Dental implants replace the root as well as the crown with a titanium post placed in the jaw; they stand alone, protect the bone and can support a single tooth, a bridge or a full arch. Dentures are removable and replace several teeth or a whole arch, with partial and full options.

The practical differences are fixed versus removable, and how much healthy tooth or bone each option relies on. Bridges use neighboring teeth for support; implants do not; dentures rest on the gums.