Oak Park Restorative Dentistry
Get You Back To Your Best Smile!
Most adults have had some form of dental restoration, but chips, cracks, and broken teeth can happen at any time, regardless of age! Even if your teeth are simply a little worn down from wear and tear, you probably should consider your restorative dentistry options.
At the practice of Dr. Murphy, we don’t believe that any smile is too far gone. With the help of our advanced dental technology, we can provide a variety of restorative options that will give you a fresh smile with only a few short appointments.
Dental Crowns
While we try to be as conservative as we can, some cavities are simply too large for fillings. If we identify a tooth with severe decay, we’ll discuss your options, but it’s probably best that a dental crown is placed. During your first visit, we’ll take detailed impressions of your tooth with our premier iTero digital scanner. These images are then sent off to a lab immediately. The lab will create a customized crown that fits your mouth perfectly, and matches the color and shape of your teeth. When the crown is ready, we’ll carefully prepare the tooth and permanently place the crown with a dental adhesive. The crown won’t require any special treatment, and can be cleaned like a natural tooth. If the restoration is well-maintained, it can last for over a decade!
Dentures
There’s still a misconception surrounding dentures that they’re crude, unpleasant, removable teeth. In actuality, dentures have developed far beyond that unflattering portrayal and are now customized to fit your mouth without being too noticeable. Dentures and partial dentures take your jaw shape, tooth size, and occlusion into consideration when they are designed, so they no longer are ill-fitting or uncomfortable. Depending on how many teeth you are missing, we can help provide partial or full dentures that will not cause any inconvenience. Call us today at (708) 524-0330 for a consultation.
Dental Implant Restorations
If you need a dental implant restoration placed or replaced, Dr. Murphy or one of our other dentists would be happy to help. We’ll use the latest in dental scanning software to set the restoration precisely, ensuring that you won’t need it readjusted or refitted. With the restoration in place, you’ll have full oral functionality restored, and can chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Same-day crowns
Say goodbye to multiple dental appointments and lengthy waiting times. Our same-day crown technology allows you to restore your smile in just one visit. Using advanced CAD/CAM technology, we create custom crowns right in our office, ensuring a perfect fit and natural appearance. Experience convenience, precision, and a stunning smile—all in a single day!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dental restoration?
Dental restoration is all about bringing your teeth back to their healthiest, happiest state—whether that means repairing damage, replacing missing teeth, or fixing decay. We use a variety of modern techniques and materials to restore not just the appearance of your smile, but also its function and strength. Whether you’ve got a chipped tooth, a cavity, or are missing a tooth entirely, restorative dentistry helps ensure you can chew, speak, and smile comfortably again.
Why Might a Dental Implant Need to Be Restored?
Dental implants are designed to be long-lasting, but even the most reliable solutions may require attention over time. There are a few common reasons why a dental implant might need restoration:
- Wear and Tear: Just like natural teeth, the crown (the visible part of the implant) can become worn, chipped, or cracked after years of use.
- Damage or Loosening: Occasionally, the implant crown or the abutment—the connector piece—may loosen or sustain damage, leading to discomfort or reduced function.
- Gum or Bone Changes: Changes in your gum tissue or jawbone structure can affect how the implant fits, potentially requiring the restoration to be adjusted or replaced for optimal comfort and stability.
- Aesthetic Updates: In some cases, patients wish to improve the look of their implant crown to better match the shade or shape of their surrounding teeth.
Restoring your dental implant ensures you can continue to eat, speak, and smile with confidence, maintaining both function and appearance.
How Are Direct Dental Restorations Performed?
Direct dental restorations are a quick and effective way to repair teeth, most commonly when treating cavities. Here’s how the process typically works at our office:
- After assessing the area, your dentist will gently clean out the affected portion of the tooth to remove any decay.
- A soft, tooth-colored material—often a composite resin—is carefully placed into the cavity. This material is shaped and sculpted so it blends seamlessly with your remaining tooth structure.
- Once the fit and appearance are just right, a special blue curing light is used to harden the material in just a few seconds.
- Finally, the restoration is polished and adjusted as needed to make sure it looks and feels natural, allowing you to smile, chew, and speak comfortably right away.
Whether you need a small filling or a larger repair, direct restorations offer a straightforward solution to restore your tooth’s strength and appearance.
What is a direct dental restoration?
A direct dental restoration is a method we use to repair a tooth right away, usually in a single visit. This technique is commonly needed when you have a cavity. Here’s how it works: we place a tooth-colored resin or other restorative material directly into the area that needs repair. Using a special blue curing light, we harden the material, then carefully shape and polish it so it blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. The whole process is quick, efficient, and designed to get your tooth back to looking and functioning as it should—without any wait time or extra appointments.