Caring For Your Oral Health With Restorative Treatments
We take your dental needs seriously and improving the health of your smile is at the forefront of our organization. At our Wheaton office, we offer a variety of services that can restore the natural function and beauty of your smile while alleviating your pain so you can focus on what’s important to you.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are our first line of defense against tooth decay. Within as a little 20 minutes, your smile will look and feel good as new. The dental filling process is simple and can be completed in a few steps.
Prior to beginning, Dr. Hausten will numb your tooth so you won’t feel a thing. Then, she’ll remove the decay and fill it with a tooth-colored composite that will blend seamlessly with your smile. Your tooth will then be free of pain and restored to its natural aesthetic.
Dental Crowns
If your tooth has suffered severe decay or has been damaged or discolored, we can cover it with a dental crown. A dental crown is placed over your natural tooth to reinforce its strength and restore its appearance. It’s made of porcelain and customized to fit you precisely so it will match the color and contours of your smile.
Dr. Hausten also uses it to complete other restoration procedures such as a dental bridge or dental implants. A dental crown serves as the tooth portion of the restoration and is affixed to your implant or bridge.
Dental Bridges
Living with a missing tooth can cause various oral health issues. A dental bridge will restore your ability to eat and speak while preventing other teeth from shifting into the empty space. A dental bridge will utilize crowns to bridge the gap between your natural teeth so you’ll have a complete smile once again. Depending on how many teeth you’re missing and their location, we offer several types of bridges that can be customized to meet your needs.
Dental Implants
If you have a missing tooth, dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that look as good as they feel. They’re the gold standard for replacing missing teeth because they’re surgically affixed to your jawbone, thereby offering the same stability as your natural teeth.
You won’t have to worry about slippage or maintaining a special diet because dental implants will create ease with eating and speaking instead of being a burden, like with dentures.
Frequently Asked Questions
A filling can repair a small portion of a decayed or damaged tooth, while a crown is used for more serious cases that a filling can’t repair. A filling is a first line of defense to repair a tooth, is the more affordable solution, and can be completed in a single office visit.
The restoration will typically last seven to twenty years if you maintain a regular oral hygiene routine and schedule biannual visits with Dr. Hausten.
A crown is a solution for a cracked, chipped, broken, or severely decayed tooth that can’t be repaired with a filling. The purpose of the crown is to reinforce the strength of the tooth by covering the natural tooth with a customized cap.
Crowns also complete other dental procedures such as a dental implant or a bridge. The procedure typically takes two appointments to complete and the restoration can last 15 years with regular visits to our office and complementary lifestyle choices.
With a good oral hygiene routine and biannual visits to see Dr. Hausten, fillings can last up to 20 years. In addition to oral hygiene and regular checkups, the longevity of the filling depends on the location and size, as well as your eating habits.
Fillings may need to be replaced with general wear or due to excessive grinding, clenching, signs of decay, chipping, and cracking. If you notice any visible signs that your fillings need to be replaced, contact us right away to avoid further complications.
Dental bridges usually don’t last a lifetime, so caring for them is essential to increase their longevity. Scheduling bi-annual cleanings and checkups with Dr. Hausten, in addition to following a regular oral hygiene routine, can help prevent and address any issues that may arise.
It’s not uncommon for decay to form under the crown due to bacteria exposure, and changes in the bridge can occur due to wear and tear that can make it look or feel unnatural. If you experience any problems with your dental bridge, contact us immediately at (630) 653-3440, and we’ll be happy to examine your restoration and determine the proper course of action.
Choosing a highly respected dentist, such as Dr. Hausten, will help ensure your bridge and smile stay healthy for many years to come.
The dental implant process typically takes 6 months and includes two surgeries and one procedure. The length of time it takes for the process to be complete depends on several factors including the length of time it takes for your bone to heal around the implant, a process known as osseointegration. Other factors include:
- If you need prior tooth extractions
- Your gum health
- Bone density
For a more accurate timeframe, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hausten. During the consultation, she’ll create a customized treatment plan that will include an accurate timeline.
We Want to Improve Your Oral Health
Whether your tooth has suffered decay or damage, we offer several treatments that can restore your smile and it’s appearance. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hausten by calling (630) 653-3440 and we’ll get your smile feeling good as new in no time.
