Advanced Services

CROWNS

Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out, or breaks. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body. Teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. Crowns cover over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. A broken, or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter, and much more difficult to treat. Crowns prevent this, as well as making for a nice smile. It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first decay is removed from the tooth, and it is prepped for the crown. Then an impression is taking of the tooth, that is sent to a lab where the crown is fabricated. The crown is made, usually of high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or gold. During this time a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit this temporary is removed. Then the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and then cemented in place.

DENTURES AND PARTIALS

There are different types of dentures, but they share their common function. They replace teeth that have been lost. No one enjoys losing their natural teeth, but you can still eat and talk regularly with dentures. The entire mouth is examined, and a determination is made as to which teeth will have to be removed, and which will remain. The teeth that are non restorable would then be extracted. If some teeth are worth saving we would keep those teeth as anchor teeth for a partial. If all teeth were extracted, a denture would then be made. There is a 3 month minimum healing time in which a permanent denture, or partial can be made. During this time a healing denture, or partial can be made, and worn till healing is complete. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality, and appearance return. Often implants can used to further stabilize the dentures.

BRIDGES

This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. We would use the tooth in front of, and behind the area where the tooth, or teeth are missing. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics. It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift. Teeth use their neighbors for support, and with one missing, they start to drift downward. As this worsens the bite changes. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. The surrounding teeth can drift to far and it is just a matter of time before they too are lost. Two appointments are required to restore the missing tooth with a bridge. At the first appointment we would prepare the teeth, and take an impression, which is then sent to a dental lab for your bridge to be made. You will wear a temporary bridge made of an acrylic material in the 3 weeks it takes your permanent bridge to be made. It is important to not eat hard or sticky foods on the temporary, because it could be damaged, or broken. At the second visit we would then remove the temporary bridge and deliver your permanent one. Some adjustments may need to be made at this visit.

Our Location

1010 Harrison Ave Panama City, FL 32401

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

North Florida Dental Care

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed