Dental Procedures

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

Dental implants are strong and durable and will last many years. On occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Reasons for dental implants:

• Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
  
• Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
  
• Restore a patient’s confident smile.
  
• Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
  
• Restore or enhance facial tissues.
  
• Support a bridge or denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

What does getting dental implants involve?The process of getting implants requires a number of visits over several months.

X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself for up to six months.  Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required in order to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With other implants the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.

After several weeks of healing the artificial teeth are made and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. Because several fittings may be required, this step may take one to two months to complete. After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort to the patient.

You will receive care instructions when your treatment is completed. Good oral hygiene and eating habits, alongside regular dental visits, will aid in the life of your new implant.

A filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth.

Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today. Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or more visible areas of the mouth.

As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

At North River Dental in North Little Rock, Arkansas, we strive to make sure your dental dentures fit perfectly and restore your beautiful smile. Our dentures are designed to replace missing teeth and the surrounding tissue while resembling your natural teeth. Dentures are a removable appliance that are designed to last numerous years and may require occasional adjustments to due normal wear. Patients who have either lost all, or several, teeth in either the upper or lower arch are good candidates for receiving dentures.

There are two main types of dentures that we offer to our patients are partial or complete. A partial denture is used to fill gaps from missing teeth while also helping to prevent any natural teeth from shifting due to those gaps. A complete denture is used when patients need all their teeth replaced. During your consultation we will go over the procedure and take molds of your teeth along with photographs which will be used to create the dentures. At your procedure appointment we will removing any teeth in the specific area and close the gums. Your immediate denture will allow you to have teeth while your gums are healing, and then once healing is complete we will make final adjustments ensuring a proper denture fit.

Once you have your new denture, it is normal to experience temporary chewing and speech difficulty, increased saliva flow, and some soreness. These symptoms will subside once your muscles and tissues get used to the new denture. To aid in the life of your new denture, good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and proper cleaning of your dental appliance is essential.

Veneers are an option we discuss with patients who are looking to restore the teeth’s natural look. Patients opt to get veneers for a wide variety of reasons including; worn down teeth, broken (or chipped) teeth, and to close gaps between teeth. On average patients can expect the veneers to last for 15 years with a proper oral care routine including brushing, flossing, and mouthwash twice daily.

During the consultation we will discuss the options available including just front teeth veneers or doing a full smile veneers. It is important to note that due to the nature of removing a small amount of tooth enamel to apply the veneers that the procedure is irreversible. To see the results of veneers our patients will need to schedule numerous appointments. During the first appointment we will discuss the procedure, prepare the tooth (or teeth), take a mold, and then we will apply a temporary veneer. Our office staff will schedule your next appointment once the permanent veneers have arrived. During this appointment your teeth will be cleaned to prepare for the veneer to be applied. We will then apply a small amount of adhesive and cement before placing and curing the veneer.

Our highly trained dental hygienists will check your veneers, during routine exams, for signs of wear like chipping or cracking. We also recommend limiting the use of tobacco products and drinking dark liquids to help reduce the appearance of stains on your veneers.

When one of our patients needs to strength a damaged tooth or improve their tooth’s appearance they may be a candidate for a dental crown procedure. During your consultation we will go over the various types of crowns and take a mold of the tooth. Once you have decided on the type of crown we will then schedule your procedure appointments. You have the option of getting a same day crown or selecting a metal crown that will need to be installed at a later appointment.

Same-day crowns are available, by appointment, for patients who are interested in all-ceramic crowns. During your appointment we will take photos of the tooth and then use that image to create a 3D model on the computer of your tooth. Once the model has been finalized it is then made in-house and is installed the same day. Same day crowns are the most convenient and allow for patients to no longer need a second appointment.

For patients who do not opt for our same-day option you will have a temporary crown placed until your permanent is ready. Your permanent crown is permanently affixed using a dental cement. Numerous types of crowns are available including metal, porcelain fused to metal, and all ceramic. Metal crowns are comprised of non-noble metals making them unlikely to corrode and less likely to chip or break. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are metal structures covered in porcelain and are fabricated to match the color of the surrounding teeth. All-ceramic crowns are most commonly used for front teeth due to their ability of blending in with your teeth’s natural color.

A preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient, dentist, and dental staff to preserve the natural dentition and supporting structures by preventing the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions.

Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dental office by the efforts of your dentist and dental hygienist to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.

Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.

A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to thoroughly clean the teeth. Prophylaxis is an important dental treatment for halting the progression of periodontal disease and gingivitis.

Periodontal disease and gingivitis occur when bacteria from plaque colonize on the gingival (gum) tissue – either above or below the gum line. These bacteria colonies cause serious inflammation and irritation which in turn produce a chronic inflammatory response in the body. As a result, the body begins to systematically destroy gum and bone tissue, making the teeth shift, become unstable, or completely fall out. The pockets between the gums and teeth become deeper and house more bacteria which may travel via the bloodstream and infect other parts of the body.

At North River Dental, teeth whitening is done when individuals feel their smile is becoming dull. Many patients wonder what caused their teeth to become dull in the first place. Numerous factors can cause our teeth to dull or yellow over time. The two major factors are drinking dark liquids and tobacco use. While there are various over-the-counter teeth whitening gels readily available in most drug stores we advise our patients to stay away from them. They often cause irritation to the gums and teeth which can lead to sensitivity or pain.

The procedure for dentist teeth whitening is quick and safe and can be done at home with the custom trays we provide. Simply let our dental hygienist know during your appointment that you are interested in brightening up your smile. We simply need to know the shade of white you are hoping to achieve. We will notify you when your custom-made trays are ready to be picked up, along with the bleaching gel, and during that appointment go over the whitening procedure taking the time to make sure all your questions get answered.

Your desired whitening color will determine the how many treatments you need to do at home. Each night you will wear the gel filled trays for a designated amount of time (on average a couple hours) allowing the bleaching agent to remove the stains without damaging any existing dental work. To maintain the desired color once it’s been reached occasional treatments will be needed. The initial treatment will last between two to three weeks on average.