Understanding Cosmetic Restorations

For many, cosmetic dental treatments are seen as procedures that impact only the look of the smile, offering no contribution to the overall health and dental function. However, cosmetic dental procedures take on a hybrid approach, providing patients with multi-faceted solutions that improve their entire smile and benefit their future oral health. Consider the restorative benefits of the following procedures:

Composite Fillings
Recommended in the case of cavity, chips, or minor fractures above the gum line, composite fillings offer a cosmetic solution that prevents further damage. Unlike traditional metal amalgam fillings, which contain trace amounts of mercury, composite fillings are made of tooth-colored resin, therefore matching the rest of the tooth.

As composite fillings are metal-free, patients do not need to worry about their filling expanding or contracting when exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Not only does this eliminate the sensitivity typically associated with traditional fillings, but it also prevents the tooth from cracking or undergoing further damage.

Porcelain Crowns
Often used to reinforce teeth following root canals or other restorative treatment, porcelain crowns offer a natural looking alternative to metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Crowns sit like a cap on top of damaged teeth, restoring function while preventing additional damage from compromising the patient’s overall oral health. As these crowns are highly durable, they can also be used to restore molars that have been compromised by damage or decay.

At Willow Glen Dentistry, we use CAD/CAM technology to digitally create porcelain crowns in office. By using CEREC® technology to take digital impressions then manufacture your unique crown, our team is able to provide patients with a customized cosmetic restoration that fits naturally with the rest of the smile.

Dental Implants
Dental implants and implant-supported restorations offer several aesthetic and functional benefits for patients. From a health perspective, dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth without compromising the health of neighboring teeth. As treatment requires implant posts be fully integrated into the underlying jaw bone, implants also have the added benefit of stimulating healthy bone density and preventing further tooth loss.

Aesthetically, dental implant restorations are designed to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Depending on the number of teeth that are being replaced, crowns, bridges, or fixed overdentures can be made to ensure your smile looks as natural as possible.

Learn More Today
Our team is dedicated to creating long-term solutions tailored to your unique needs. By combining effective cosmetic procedures with efficient restorative treatments, our patients are able to enjoy a beautiful smile without compromising their oral health. To learn more about which treatment will most efficiently help you achieve your ideal smile, please contact Dr. John Pisacane today to schedule your consultation.

Understanding My Dental Implant Options

There are a number of benefits associated with dental implants. From convenience to durability, this restorative treatment option offers health, aesthetic, and financial advantages unparalleled by traditional teeth replacement options. In particular, the versatility and adaptability of dental implants allows for integration into a number of other treatments, opening the door for patients with extensive restorative needs to receive high-quality treatment.

Understanding your needs and which treatment option will best fulfill your health and functional goals is an important component when it comes to choosing between different implant restoration options. Consider the following:

For patients with one missing tooth:

Single crown dental implants are ideal for replacing a single tooth that is missing or has been extracted as a result of trauma, decay, or damage. Unlike bridges, which require that adjacent teeth be shaved down to accommodate the restoration, single unit implants support themselves, thereby preserving the structural integrity of neighboring teeth.

For patients missing several consecutive teeth:

In these instances, an implant-supported bridge may be recommended in order to sufficiently replace missing teeth. Depending on the number of missing teeth and the length of the bridge, this treatment option can use anywhere between two to four implants to support the prosthetic and stimulate underlying jawbone. Not only does stimulation help to prevent additional tooth loss, but also strengthens the jaw, preventing bone deterioration and preserving facial structure.

For patient missing entire arches of teeth:

In cases of extensive tooth loss, patients have several teeth replacement options. Traditionally, dentures are used to provide a functional restoration. Over the course of time however, this restorative option can lead to further damage by failing to protect jaw bone density, leading to bone resorption, the appearance of premature aging, and limited oral function.

In contrast, dental implants can be used to support dentures, providing patients with the convenience of a removable denture coupled with the stability offered by dental implants. For patients with limited bone density, mini implants can also be used to anchor dentures in an affordable, health-conscious manner.

Dental Implant Restorations in San Jose

At Willow Glen Dentistry, our mission is to help patients find the right solution for missing teeth. By partnering with local oral surgeons and periodontists, our San Jose dentist Dr. John Pisacane is able to provide patients with long-term restorations that improve all parts of their smile. For more information about dental implant restoration in San Jose, contact Willow Glen Dentistry today. 

The Versatility of CEREC®

In recent years, CEREC® technology has become synonymous with same-day crowns. However, few realize the diversity of treatment options provided by this innovative technology. Thanks to the versatility of the digital imaging and manufacturing software, CEREC® has made it possible for patients requiring extensive dental treatment to receive conservative yet highly effective restorative solutions. Some of these treatments include:

Partial crowns: In some cases, partial crowns are a more efficient method of restoring function and aesthetics to a tooth without requiring additional tooth preparation. As CEREC® uses digital imaging to create 3D models of the dentition, patients receive partial crowns that fit perfectly into the tooth, requiring minimal tooth preparation.

Bridge: Some patients may require more comprehensive restorations in order to replace one or several missing teeth. By using CEREC® to create customized bridges, patients receive restorations that blend in seamlessly with the rest of their smile.  As CEREC® does not require extensive tooth preparation, this treatment option does not compromise the health of the adjacent supporting teeth.

Dental Implant Restorations: Implants are one of the most durable and permanent restoration options a patient can choose. CEREC® can be used to create implant-compatible restorations, including crowns and bridges. In the event the prosthetic tooth cracks or becomes damaged, the impressions are saved digitally, ensuring convenient and simple restoration without the need for new impressions to be taken.

Veneers: For patients looking to improve the look of their smile, veneers offer a comprehensive method of improving dental uniformity. With CEREC® technology, the veneers are created to match the shape and shade of the rest of the smile, ensuring consistency and enhancing the natural beauty of the smile. As CEREC® veneers are made of highly durable porcelain, the teeth are effectively reinforced, allowing patients to enjoy enhanced dental function.

In addition to restoration creation, CEREC® can also be used in a non-restorative capacity. For example, thanks to software updates, digital impressions for Invisalign® aligners can now be taken using the intraoral scanner. Not only does this make orthodontic treatment planning a simpler process, but it also ensures that changes to treatment plans can be made before unnecessary aligners are manufactured.

CEREC® in San Jose

At Willow Glen Dentistry, restorations with CEREC®technology is just one way that Dr. John Pisacane helps his patients achieve their ideal smiles and improve their long-term oral health. A pioneer of integrating advanced technology into routine dental procedures, Dr. Pisacane was one of the first dentists in the San Francisco Bay area to utilize this innovative technology. For more information about the diverse uses of CEREC®, contact our San Jose dentist today.