Restorative Dentistry

Dr. Fortner uses tooth-colored composite fillings to restore teeth almost 99% of the time. In some rare cases, a metal amalgam filling may be a better solution. Dr. Fortner will let you know which option is best for you.

Today’s composite resins create fillings that not only look natural, but also are stronger than materials of the past. These fillings virtually disappear in your smile. Composite materials are also biocompatible. They are entirely safe for use in your tooth, as well as safe for the environment if and when they need to be disposed.

Dental restorations, inlays and onlays are much more conservative treatment options for the tooth than metal fillings. While traditional fillings can reduce tooth strength up to 50 percent, inlays and onlays made of high-strength porcelain can actually increase tooth strength by up to 75 percent, lasting from 10 to 30 years.

What are inlays?

Inlays are used to restore inside the cusps of the tooth. They are made of strong, long-lasting and natural-looking materials, such as porcelain or composite resin, and are invisible in the smile. Inlays are a conservative tooth restoration, meaning that they require far less drilling and preparation of the tooth than a metal filling does. This allows us to save much more of the healthy tooth.

What are onlays?

Onlays are used for large restorations. They restore inside the cusp and extend over one or more sides of the tooth. They can also be used as a crown or cap. Because of their size, onlays are made of strong material, usually porcelain. Like inlays, they are conservative tooth restorations that require far less drilling than metal fillings. An onlay can often be used to repair only the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving much more of the original tooth structure intact.

If you have a cracked, broken tooth; a large, failing filling that needs to be replaced; or if you have to undergo root canal therapy, chances are you will need a dental crown to return your tooth to health and strength.

A crown, also called a cap, is a restoration made of either porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal that completely covers the top and all four sides of your tooth. Strong and durable, crowns restore the tooth to function and a natural appearance.

If you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, or if you ever experience a dental problem that leads to tooth loss, Dr. Fortner offers tooth replacement treatment options, including dental bridges and full and partial dentures.

You know how a missing tooth or teeth can detract from the appearance of your smile. But are you aware of the health problems caused by missing teeth?

When a tooth is lost, the bite changes, causing excess stress to be placed on the remaining healthy teeth. This stress can cause those teeth to wear unevenly and can even lead to jaw-related pain.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is used to replace one or several consecutive missing teeth. It is a custom-made appliance that “bridges” a false tooth (or teeth) between two dental crowns. The crowns are permanently placed on healthy teeth adjacent to the space left by the missing teeth. The false teeth are created to match the remaining healthy teeth, resulting in a natural appearance.

Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth and adjacent tissues. Made of resin and porcelain, complete, or full dentures, are used to replace all the teeth. A partial denture is used to replace several teeth. The partial dentures also keep the remaining healthy teeth from shifting, preventing jaw-related pain.

Both full and partial dentures improve chewing ability and speech, and support facial muscles. Because they support facial muscles, they enhance your appearance.

Dr. Fortner creates custom-fit dentures that provide the most optimum position for your jaw. The results are attractive, secure dentures that allow you to speak, eat and smile with comfort and confidence.

Permanent Tooth Replacement

Do you have missing teeth? Are you tired of wearing dentures or removable bridges? Consider dental implants.

Dental implants are permanent replacements for both the tooth root and the tooth. As a result, they provide unsurpassed comfort, confidence, security and natural appearance.

Dental implants can be used to replace one tooth, several teeth or all of your teeth. They can also be used to hold implant-supported dentures in place.

If you choose to have dental implants, Dr. Fortner will refer you to an area oral surgeon to surgically place the implant(s). Dr. Fortner will create the custom-made porcelain tooth (or teeth), to place on top of the root. The tooth will be crafted to match your existing teeth.

Once the tooth (or teeth) is in place, you can eat, smile and speak with complete confidence again.

There was a time when the only option for treating a severely compromised tooth was to pull it. Fortunately, root canal therapy changed that. But over time, “root canal” became one of the most feared terms in dentistry.

Not anymore.

If you have a tooth with extensive decay, disease or damage, Dr. Fortner may recommend root canal therapy to save the tooth. Left untreated, the toothache will continue, the pain will increase, your tooth may become abscessed and the infection can spread to your jaw.

Using modern dental technology, Dr. Fortner can save your tooth with root canal therapy. Today’s root canal treatments are gentle and virtually pain free. With treatment by Dr. Fortner, you’ll be feeling better in no time.

When your jaw is properly aligned, it opens and closes with ease and comfort. The teeth come together evenly. The muscles and tendons work in harmony.

But if the jaw is even slightly out of balance – maybe because of a broken or missing tooth – all sorts of symptoms can occur.

Symptoms of Misaligned Jaw

• Headaches or migraines
• Pain when you bite or chew
• Worn, broken or chipped teeth or dental restorations
• Jaw pain
• Neck and back pain
• Clicking or popping in jaw joints

A misaligned jaw strains the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and surrounding muscles and tendons, causing pain. It also affects your teeth, causing them to wear unevenly, break, fracture, and if left untreated, even fall out.

But there is a solution. A treatment called Full-Mouth Restoration can return your jaw to a healthy position and restore your teeth to a natural, attractive appearance.

Treatment

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see Dr. Fortner for a consultation. If he recommends Full-Mouth Restoration, he may use a variety of the following to fulfill your treatment:

• Dental bridges
• Inlays/Onlays
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Dental implants

These dental restorations will be used to raise or lower certain areas of your bite, returning your jaw to a healthy, comfortable position. Pain will be eliminated and your smile will be beautifully restored.