restorative Dentistry in apex

To determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, Dr. Barker will assess your dental health during a consultation. Since implants are permanently affixed to your gums, treatment requires that a patient have sufficient jawbone and healthy gums to support an implant. If you are missing teeth and wondering if implants are right for you, call Cardinal Family Dentistry today!

The dental implant process typically takes at least two appointments over a period of about 3-6 months. The number of appointments and the overall time it takes to complete the process varies depending on your oral health and a number of other factors. 
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After you’ve been approved for a dental implant and Dr. Barker has created a custom treatment plan, you’ll come in for your first appointment to have your implant placed into your gums and jaw bone. First, Dr. Barker will clean and numb your mouth. Next, she will make a small incision into the gum and bone where your missing tooth used to be, and your dental implant will be placed into this opening. Then, the area will be cleaned, sanitized, and sutured shut. 
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Dental implants have the unique ability to “osseointegrate.” Over a period of 3-6 months, your implant will heal and bond permanently with your jaw and gums, becoming an artificial tooth root to which a crown, bridge or denture can be attached.
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When your implant has healed and osseointegrated completely, you’ll come back to our office to have your implant restoration placed. In most cases, this is a false tooth (dental crown), but multiple implants can be used to support a bridge or denture for full mouth restorations. At this appointment, your implant restoration will be checked for proper fit and bonded securely into place.

At Cardinal Family Dentistry, we are committed to providing compassionate, judgement-free solutions for our patients. If you are missing multiple teeth, we offer implant supported restorations, as well as full and partial dentures to meet the needs of every patient. Whether you’re looking for a permanent option or removable replacement teeth, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs and your budget. Call us today to get started!

Dental crowns are an option if you have teeth that are chipped, discolored, or damaged. Crowns are cemented onto existing teeth to cover and protect the damaged tooth beneath. If taken care of with proper dental hygiene, crowns can last a lifetime and you’ll be able to smile confidently for years knowing that your tooth beneath is protected and safe.

Dental crowns are usually a good option to treat teeth that have suffered serious damage due to tooth decay or an oral injury. Because dental crowns cover up all of your remaining tooth structure, they can protect your tooth from further damage and ensure that it remains healthy and strong.
If you have a large cavity that can’t be treated with a filling, or you’ve had a root canal, you’ll likely need a dental crown. In most cases, a seriously broken tooth will also require treatment with a crown.
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In some cases, though, dental crowns can be used for cosmetic purposes to treat teeth that are very small or misshapen as an alternative to veneers or bonding. During your consultation, Dr. Barker will help you determine if a crown is a good option for cosmetic or restorative treatment, so schedule an appointment today!

Fillings are a common solution for cavities. Symptoms that you may have a cavity or a decaying tooth include tenderness to hot and cold temperatures, pain when chewing, and visible holes or darkening of the tooth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Dr. Barker can fill your cavity with a tooth-colored composite resin that will look natural and keep you smiling confidently.

Damaged teeth don’t always hurt. Even a serious oral injury or an infected tooth may not hurt, in some cases. But this doesn’t mean that it’s okay to ignore your tooth. A damaged or decaying tooth will only deteriorate further, over time. If your tooth structure is weakened, it will likely become more damaged, worn-down, or infected in the future.
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For this reason, you should always make sure to get treatment for any tooth that you suspect may be decayed. This will ensure that the beauty and functionality of your smile are restored and it will also help you avoid further expenses and dental complications down the road.

We offer a variety of restorative services to restore infected or damaged teeth, replace missing teeth, and protect teeth that have been damaged or are vulnerable to breaking. Some restorative treatments we offer include:

‍Dental Fillings - Treat cavities by removing decay from the teeth and filling in holes with a filling material that restores the function, aesthetic, and structure of the tooth. We offer tooth-colored composite fillings that blend in with your natural teeth, instantly harden under UV light, are less invasive, and do not contain mercury. 

‍Dental Crowns - Crowns are caps for teeth that offer strength and durability to a weak, damaged, or vulnerable tooth. They are placed after dental trauma, root canal therapy, to hold a cracked or broken tooth together, or to cover up cosmetic imperfections. We most often place these in the rear molars, because they must be able to withstand extensive chewing and grinding forces.

‍Root Canals - If you have a decayed or damaged tooth that has affected the health of your dental pulp, you will need a root canal to treat the infection. This involves removing the dental pulp, all the way down to the root, cleaning your canals, and filling the inside of the tooth with a material called gutta-percha. We may also protect the tooth with a crown.

‍Dentures - We offer full and partial dentures to replace missing teeth in the mouth. Partials replace 1 or a few missing teeth, and they can be on opposite sides of the mouth. Full dentures replace 1 or both arches of teeth and necessitate the extraction of all of your remaining teeth. Dentures restore the ability to chew, speak clearly, and fill in gaps in the smile.

‍Bridges - You can think of a dental bridge like a fixed partial denture. They are used to replace 1-3 consecutive missing teeth. They cannot be removed without the help of a dentist, which adds to their natural feel, and you don’t have to remember to remove them at night.

This depends on the reason for the restorative treatment and how severe the condition of your teeth is. If you leave a tooth infection untreated, it will spread to the other teeth. Even worse, it can spread through your bloodstream which can cause sepsis and in serious cases, become fatal.

If you don’t treat severe dental trauma, your teeth may continue to break and this may also lead to an infection. When damage is severe, the only alternative to restorative treatment is to have the tooth extracted. However, you’ll then have to bear the cost of replacing the tooth with a dental implant unless you want to suffer from bone loss, shifting teeth, and changes to your face.

Yes. While restorative treatments usually aren’t fully covered like preventative treatments, most insurance plans will cover at least 50% of the cost, as long as it is medically necessary.

Procedures like root canals, dental crowns, fillings, and other tooth restorations are usually covered as long as they are medically necessary in response to tooth decay or dental trauma.

If you are looking to get dental crowns to cover up aesthetic issues, however, this is unlikely to be covered, because it is considered a cosmetic treatment. Contact your insurance provider to find out what restorative treatments they cover or don't cover.