Restorative Dentistry in Sherman

Dr. John Shoemaker endeavors to provide the highest quality ofdental care to his Sherman, TX and neighboring area patients. A significant portion of the care he provides is preventative in nature so that he can help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can threaten the oral health of his patients. When patients arrive with dental problems that have already developed or that have gone untreated for long enough, restorative treatments are often required to preserve or replace affected teeth. Fortunately for those with dental problems, there is a multitude of treatment options that are available for teeth in any shape at Dr. Shoemaker’s dental practice.

Cavity Fillings

When cavities form in teeth they can cause big problems if they are left untreated or are undiagnosed. Dr. Shoemaker uses the latest technology and techniques to identify, diagnose, and treat cavities and tooth decay at his Sherman, TX practice. It is imperative to have cavities filled as soon as they are detected because if left untreated for long enough, cavities can utterly destroy teeth. After Dr. Shoemaker removes the cavity and any decay from an affected tooth, he will then need to fill it with one of many types of filling materials available. Silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, glass ionomer, or tooth-colored composite materials are available for use in filling cavities.

Inlays & Onlays

If damage to the structure of a tooth is too extensive to be treated by a simple filling, then an inlay or an onlay may be required to restore function and strength to the tooth. These “indirect” types of fillings are fabricated and then placed and bonded into or onto the damaged tooth. Inlays fit in between the cusps of teeth whereas onlays closely resemble the function of a dental crown. Less of the natural structure of teeth needs to be augmented in order to be treated with an inlay or onlay. Dental inlays and onlays can be made from a variety of materials including precious metals, tooth colored ceramic, or even composite resin.

Root Canal Therapy

If a cavity or other damage has caused bacteria to infect the inner chamber of a tooth, where nerve tissue is, then root canal therapy may be needed to treat the infection and to preserve the rest of the tooth. During a root canal procedure, a small access hole will be used to remove infected tissue and to clean and sterilize the inside of the tooth. Specialized dental tools will be used to treat the root canals of the infected tooth to ensure that the infection does not return or spread. Infected teeth that are left untreated have the risk of developing into a dental abscess or possibly even a systemic infection that can be life threatening. Teeth treated with root canal therapy will often require a protective dental crown to restore the strength and aesthetic characteristics of the tooth.

Dental Crowns & Bridgework

If a tooth has experienced extensive decay or damage to the structure then it may be able to be saved and preserved with a protective dental crown. Crowns, also called “caps”, can be made from precious metals, porcelain or another comparable material that will restores the strength and structure of a tooth. If a patient has lost a tooth, then a dental bridge may be an excellent replacement option. A dental bridge is an appliance that literally spans the void created by a missing tooth by utilizing adjacent teeth as support for an artificial replacement tooth. Dr. Shoemaker provides a variety of outstanding options for replacing teeth with a dental bridge including: removable bridges, fixed bridges, and even implant supported bridges.

Video Testimonial

Dentures

If a patient is missing most or all of their teeth then their quality of life can be severely and negatively affected. One solution to the problem of missing many teeth is a removable denture from Dr. Shoemaker. Removable dentures are used to replace missing teeth and to restore the appearance of the patient’s lips, face, and smile. Conventional dentures rely on a combination of suction and the structures of the mouth and jaw to keep it in place. Alternatives to conventional dentures are implant supported Overdentures. Overdentures can be removable or fixed, but both types rely upon sturdy dental implants for support and offer a more stable and comfortable teeth replacement option for those missing many or all of their teeth.

Dental Implants

The most advanced and long lasting option for replacing missing teeth by far is a dental implant supported restoration. Crowns, bridges, and certain types of dentures can all be supported by dental implants. Since dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone, they offer the strongest and most stable foundation for dental restorations. Additionally, dental implants help to prevent oral health problems related to missing teeth such as receding gums, bone loss, and even periodontal problems that are closely associated with tooth loss. Dr. Shoemaker is an expert in the field of dental implants and has helped hundreds of patients replace their missing teeth with implant-supported restorations. The best advantage of implant-supported restorations is that, with proper care, dental implants have been known to last for several decades!

Common Myths About Implants Dentistry