Repairing Your Smile With Restorative Dentistry
If you are missing teeth, have extensive dental decay, or otherwise have a functionality issue with your teeth, the restorative dentistry techniques and treatments at the Huntersville location of Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas can help.
Esthetics is important in today’s society and modern materials and techniques allow dentists to provide restorations that meet the high standards for health and function along with the appearance that many patients desire. Composite resin and ceramic materials that mimic natural tooth structure can be used in place of silver and other metal materials of the past. While gold is still considered one of the best restorative materials even today, it is not considered aesthetic by many people. Tooth-colored alternatives to silver and gold can now be used to make improvements in appearance as well as health and function.
At Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas, aesthetic treatment is available in almost any situation that a patient may have.
Practice owner Dr. Tyler Wurmlinger and founder Dr. Ross W. Nash provide numerous aesthetic restorative dental treatments to our patients, including:
Cosmetic Teeth Straightening
Cosmetic straightening, or instant orthodontics, offers a quick solution for those seeking a straighter smile without the hassle of braces. Using porcelain crowns and veneers, this treatment can correct gaps, misaligned, and crooked teeth in just two to four weeks. Porcelain veneers adjust the alignment, shape, and color of teeth, while crowns cap existing teeth to support structure and improve bite alignment. This fast and effective procedure is perfect for those who want a more attractive smile in a short time, making it ideal for special events like weddings.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
At Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas, we offer porcelain crowns and dental bridges to restore both the function and appearance of your smile. Porcelain crowns are ideal for repairing damaged, misshapen, or discolored teeth, providing a natural look while strengthening weakened teeth, covering dental implants, or supporting bridges. Dental bridges are perfect for filling gaps left by missing teeth, restoring your bite, and improving your smile’s overall appearance. Both treatments use high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting, natural-looking results, and can help with issues like difficulty chewing, shifting teeth, and self-consciousness about your smile.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are effective treatments for teeth that are weakened by decay or damage but don’t require a full dental crown. Inlays fill cavities and depressions in the tooth, while onlays rebuild the surface, often repairing damaged cusps. Made from custom-shaped porcelain, inlays and onlays provide more support than traditional fillings and improve both the function and appearance of the tooth. The process typically takes two visits: the first to take impressions and create custom restorations, and the second to ensure a proper fit and bond them securely to the tooth.
Tooth Colored Composite Restorations
Tooth colored composite restorations are made of a strong bonding material that matches the shade of your natural teeth. Our experts bond the restoration directly to your damaged tooth to create an attractive, natural appearance. Tooth colored composite restorations are an option for both filling cavities and for more extensive treatments, for example, as an alternative to porcelain veneers. Tooth colored composite restorations usually require just one visit.
Dental Bridges
If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental bridges offer an effective solution to restore both the appearance and function of your smile. Custom-made to fill gaps, bridges are secured to neighboring teeth or implants and come in various types, including traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported options. These bridges improve dental function, prevent shifting of surrounding teeth, and provide a boost in self-confidence. The recovery period varies but generally takes one to two weeks. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important to ensure the longevity of your dental bridge and maintain optimal oral health.
Full Mouth Restoration
Full mouth restoration is a customized series of procedures designed to rebuild, restore, and replace most or all of the teeth, ideal for individuals with severe dental decay, missing teeth, or other oral health issues. The treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s specific needs, addressing the condition of their teeth, gums, and bite alignment. It may include tooth extraction, dental implants, bridges, root canal therapy, orthodontic treatment, and more. The team at Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas provides comprehensive care to help restore both the function and appearance of your smile.
The duration of full mouth restoration depends on the complexity of the procedures involved, with some treatments requiring only one visit while others, such as dental implants or gum grafts, may take longer and require healing time. The timeline can range from several months to over a year, depending on individual needs. A detailed consultation and dental exam will help the dentists create a strategic plan and timeline for your restoration, ensuring the best results for a functional, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing smile.
Dental Implant Restoration
Missing teeth can lead to additional tooth loss, shifting of remaining structures, and gum and jawbone recession over time. Beyond health concerns, missing teeth can affect self-confidence, facial shape, speech, and eating habits. Dental implant restoration offers a functional and aesthetic solution by replacing missing teeth with an artificial tooth and root. The process involves placing a titanium post into the jawbone, which fuses with the bone to provide a stable foundation for an artificial tooth, creating a permanent replacement that looks and functions like natural teeth.
The dental implant restoration process typically includes two steps: first, the titanium post is implanted into the jawbone, and after healing (usually three to six months), the abutment is attached, followed by the placement of the artificial tooth. Additional procedures, such as bone grafts, may be needed if there is insufficient bone for the implant. Candidates for dental implants must have healthy gum tissue and sufficient bone density, and lifestyle factors like tobacco use or teeth grinding may affect the success of the procedure. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, though the crown may need replacement after 10 to 15 years.
Same Day Crowns
Tooth damage can be both painful and unsightly, but dental crowns offer an effective solution by protecting weakened teeth, covering imperfections, and restoring strength. At Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas in Huntersville, we offer same-day dental crowns using advanced CAD-CAM technology. This innovative approach eliminates the need for temporary crowns by creating and placing a custom crown in a single visit—typically in under two hours. The process includes preparing the tooth, capturing a digital scan, and crafting the crown from ceramic for a durable, natural-looking result.
Same-day crowns are ideal for patients with broken teeth, severe decay, root canal treatment, or cosmetic concerns—provided the tooth root is healthy. While traditional crowns may be recommended for cases involving damage below the gumline or for those who grind their teeth, most patients are good candidates for this efficient option. With proper care, same-day crowns can last 5 to 15 years or longer.
Full and Partial Dentures
Missing many or most of your teeth can make eating, speaking, and daily life difficult, while also affecting your facial structure due to jawbone loss. Full and partial dentures are removable appliances that restore the appearance and function of your smile. Full dentures replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures fill gaps between remaining healthy teeth and help prevent shifting. Immediate dentures can be placed right after tooth extraction for temporary use, while conventional dentures are fitted after healing. For added stability and comfort, implant-supported dentures use titanium posts to secure the denture in place.
The process of getting dentures involves dental impressions, fittings, and custom fabrication to ensure comfort and function. Full dentures typically last around 10 years, and partials can last up to 15 with proper care. Immediate dentures are temporary and usually replaced within a few months. At Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas, we offer a range of denture solutions, including traditional and implant-supported options, to help restore your smile and improve your quality of life.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are an advanced solution for people missing most or all of their teeth, offering a more secure and natural-feeling alternative to traditional dentures. These restorations are anchored to titanium dental implants placed in the jawbone, preventing shifting and improving chewing, speaking, and comfort. Implant-supported dentures can be fixed or removable and are custom-designed to suit your preferences and oral health. While the process may involve tooth extractions, healing time, and possible bone grafting, the result is a stable, long-lasting smile.
At Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas, we offer implant-supported dentures as part of our comprehensive restorative services. This option is ideal for those with sufficient jawbone density and good oral health. With proper care, the implants can last a lifetime, and the denture portion typically lasts 15 to 20 years. Whether you’re restoring a full arch or a partial section, implant-supported dentures can significantly improve your quality of life.
