Restorative Dentistry

I’m missing one of my molars on the right side of my mouth. It causes problems chewing, and it’s even starting to affect my speech. What are my options?

For patients missing one or two teeth, dental bridges can offer an effective solution. Though not as long-lasting as dental implants, bridges prevent the teeth on either side of the empty space from shifting and causing a misaligned bite. Contact Drs. Newell and Clarkson today to explore your options!

One of my teeth is cracked; I had quite a large filling put in that tooth some time ago. It’s not painful, but it looks awful and I’m afraid it might crack more. Is there anything I can do?

Teeth that are damaged by trauma, cavities, or normal wear and tear can benefit from dental crowns. Also called “caps,” crowns fit on top of the existing tooth, improving its aesthetics and structural integrity. Crowns are an effective and long-lasting way to make your smile brighter and your mouth more comfortable. Contact our office today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Newell or Dr. Clarkson to determine if your problem teeth could benefit from a dental crown.

I have several older fillings in my mouth, all of them silver. They look terrible, and one of them is starting to hurt. Am I stuck with my old fillings?

The days where large silver fillings dominated the mouths of those with dental work are gone. Today’s dental technology has offered patients stronger and more permanent solutions to the huge fillings of the past. White-colored fillings, also called composite resin fillings, are smaller and blend with natural tooth color. Large silver fillings can crack the tooth over time, whereas porcelain restorations, also called inlays and onlays, are cemented or bonded in place, and not only make the tooth stronger, but match the natural tooth color.

We offer dentures to our Virginia Beach area patients who have lost some or all of their teeth. While we offer standard dentures, we recommend that patients consider implant-supported dentures, as dentures alone can contribute to jawbone recession, and usually tend to need re-fittings to compensate as the bone degenerates.