Services at Mirage Dental

Restoration Services

Root Canal Therapy

Removal of the pulp (blood vessels, nerves, and/or infection) from inside a tooth, and replacement of it with a filling material

Benefits

• Retain a tooth that would otherwise be lost.
• Ultimately, the elimination of pain.
• Allows an otherwise unsuitable tooth to support a fixed or removable prosthesis (crown, bridge).

Risks

• The usual risks of local anesthetic or other medications.
• Small instruments can break inside the tooth, which may lead to loss of the tooth or additional treatment.
• Pain may persist for some time.
• The tooth is more brittle after treatment, and usually requires a crown.
• Occasionally, dispite our best efforts, treatment is unsuccessful and the tooth is lost.

Consequences Of No Treatment

• The tooth may be lost due to infection or fracture.
• Fixed or removable prosthetic options may be limited if a tooth is lost.

Fillings

The removal of decayed or fractured tooth structure and some of the healthy tooth, and its replacement with a suitable material (such as amalgam, gold, composite resin) in order to restore a decayed or minimally broken down tooth to its original contour and function.

Benefits

• Elimination of diseased tooth structure.
• In most cases, elimination of pain from affected tooth.
• Restoration of function to affected tooth.
• Restoration of cosmetics to affected tooth.

Risks

• The usual risks of local anesthetic or other medications.
• Weakening and fracture of the tooth when a large filling is placed. This may be remedied by placing a crown.
• Exposure of pulp (nerve tissue) during decay removal, which may necessitate root canal therapy or removal of the tooth.
• Excellent aesthetics when filling front teeth may not be possible without the placement of a laboratory-made crown or veneer.
• Food-traps may exist in between teeth where contacts cannot be made tight enough. This usually can be remedied with a crown.
• Recurrent decay or breakdown over time.
• Filled teeth may be sensitive for an extensive period of time.

Consequences of No Treatment

Progression of the decay process until infection of the pulp occurs, usually causing pain, requiring a root canal and crown, or extraction of the tooth.

Implants

Placement of artificial roots in the jaw bone or under the gum tissue in order to support replacements for missing teeth with fixed (crowns or bridges) or removable (full or partial denture) prostheses.

Benefits

• Removable
• Retention and stability of full and partial dentures is enhanced considerably.
• Reduction in the bulk of the prosthesis.
• Enhanced taste perception when palatal coverage is minimized.

Fixed

• Improved occlusion and function.
• Teeth can be replaced in areas where conventional bridgework is not possible.
• Adjacent natural teeth are not involved.
• Enhanced aesthetics and comfort.
• Use of removable prostheses can be avoided.
• Extensive bridgework is often simplified.

Risks

• The usual risk of local anesthetic or other medications.
• Infection or inflammation of the surrounding tissue.
• Failure of the implant fixture and/or associated components, before or after restoration.
• Nerve damage at time of placement.

Other Considerations

• Smoking reduces the success rate of implants significantly.
• Regular maintenance is essential for long term success.