When something goes wrong with your smile, it’s important that you know who to call to get the restorative dentistry care that you need. Gwaltney Dental offers effective and thorough restorative treatment plans for restoring function, health, and beauty to your smile.
As dental professionals, we evaluate and treat dental concerns like chipped or cracked teeth, missing teeth, worn down teeth, jaw pain, and receding gum lines. It’s important to seek restorative care as soon as possible so that these dental concerns do not develop into more complex problems that will require invasive treatments to restore.
The thing to know about dental concerns is that they often get worse the longer they are left untreated. Gwaltney Dental provides modern restorative dentistry solutions in Suffolk, VA, using a patient-focused approach. We want you to feel empowered as our patient and achieve an end result that feels and looks great.
Restorative Dentistry Services in Suffolk, VA
Dr. Steve Gwaltney, Dr. J. Ryland Gwaltney, and Dr. Whitney Gwaltney are highly-trained restorative dentists in Suffolk, VA. They are here for you when you need them the most and will work with you to evaluate your symptoms and offer you a restorative dentistry treatment plan that best meets your needs.
When you visit our office for restorative care, your treatment plan may include any of the following services:
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a tooth replacement option for patients missing one or more consecutive teeth. They rely on the support of your surrounding teeth to hold a prosthetic tooth instead of a missing tooth. Dental bridges are an excellent option for patients looking to quickly replace a missing tooth without a surgical procedure.
Dental Implants
Our office is proud to provide dental implants to missing teeth patients. Dental implants are the premier option for tooth replacement. Instead of just replacing the exterior of the missing tooth, dental implants restore the look, feel, and function of a missing tooth.
Involving a surgical procedure, a titanium post is inserted into your soft tissues and allowed to fuse together with your jawbone. This gives the restoration tooth root functionality, which you will not get from other restorative solutions like dental bridges.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns help patients restore the entire exterior of a severely chipped or cracked tooth. Our same-day CEREC technology can restore your broken tooth within just one appointment. For dental crowns, the damaged tooth will be shaped down to its foundational core and topped with a porcelain crown designed to replace the tooth’s exterior while allowing you to keep the healthy remaining tooth structure.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Gum disease is an extremely common dental concern that can lead to a receding gum line, bad breath, and inflamed gums. Additionally, gum disease puts you at risk for tooth loss the longer it is left untreated. With our periodontal disease treatment plans, our doctors can restore your gum health from the painful effects of gum disease. We will deep clean your gum line to eliminate bacteria eating away at your soft tissues. This produces healthy soft tissues free from gum disease.
TMJ Treatment
Patients who experience frequent jaw pain, tension headaches, and earaches can greatly benefit from our TMJ treatment services. The symptoms of TMJ disorders can be very distracting and, at times, debilitating. With TMJ treatment, our doctors will treat the underlying cause of your symptoms and help restore your dental health and peace of mind.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
We treat patients with sleep apnea or frequent loud snoring with oral appliance therapy. Our team works with you to provide a custom mouthguard that will fit snuggling into your mouth as you sleep. The mouthguard will hold your jawbone in a healthier resting position and ensure that you maintain a proper airway as you sleep.
Patients with sleep apnea enjoy oral appliance therapy because it is a discreet and easily portable way to manage sleep apnea symptoms and get a good night’s rest.
Restorative Dentistry FAQs
What is the strongest tooth restoration?
The best method for replacing missing teeth is with implants. These dental restorations mimic how teeth and roots work naturally, making them extremely durable and long-lasting.
How long do restored teeth last?
Depending on how you take care of your restoration, it can last at least five years or longer. Additionally, porcelain or ceramic is useful for bridges and fillings, typically lasting about ten to fifteen years. These cost as much as gold fillings but are more stain-resistant than composite resin material.
How serious is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that can have serious health impacts if you don’t treat it. It causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. This can lead to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue. Additionally, over time, sleep apnea can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health issues. If you think you have sleep apnea, it’s important to seek evaluation from a doctor and/or a sleep specialist.
Can I treat TMJ myself?
There are things you can do to treat TMJ yourself. There are self-care methods that can help alleviate TMJ pain and discomfort. You can practice jaw exercises and stretches and apply heat or cold compresses. You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers to get temporary relief. However, if you have persistent or severe TMJ problems, you need to see a specialist for evaluation and treatment.
Are you put to sleep for dental implants?
Dentists and oral surgeons will usually not put you to sleep for a dental implant procedure. They usually use local anesthesia to numb the area. You will stay awake but won’t feel pain during the procedure. However, sedation options are available if you feel anxious. These include oral sedatives, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. General anesthesia is less common for implants. Most dentists only reserve it for more complex cases.
Can I eat normally with a dental crown?
Yes, you can eat normally with a dental crown once it is properly fitted and any initial sensitivity is gone. After the dentist places the crown, you should avoid hard or sticky foods for the first 24 hours. This will allow time for the crown’s cement to set fully. Once the crown settles, you can return to your regular diet.
Restore Your Smile Today
Gwaltney Dental is here if you need restorative dentists in Suffolk, VA. Our dental care team has over 30 years of dental expertise. We are here to help restore your smile after dental damage or discomfort. Schedule your restorative dentistry consultation today. We look forward to seeing you very soon.