Restorative Dental Care in Coronado

The right choice for you and your dental health will depend on a few factors. Amalgam fillings are made of a blend of silver, tin, mercury, and other metals, and they are extremely pliable and durable. They can hold up very well to the forces of chewing, particularly in the rear molars. However, some patients do not like the fact that they are silver-gray in color and will discolor the filled tooth.

In contrast, composite fillings are made of a tooth-colored resin material. They provide much better cosmetic results while still strengthening your tooth with durable material. Not sure what’s right for you? Come to Coronado Dental Associates for an appointment with Dr. Villalobos to learn more about your options.

CEREC same-day crowns are very convenient and allow you to repair a damaged tooth in just 1-2 hours. With our in-office milling machine and state-of-the-art software, we can restore the health, function, and aesthetics of your tooth in a single appointment.

Lab-made crowns are made at an outside dental lab. The entire procedure will take 2 appointments over 2-3 weeks. These crowns are built based on impressions and images that we take of your teeth during your first appointment. Lab-made crowns are very detailed, durable, and long-lasting.

If you have a damaged tooth, you may think the best choice is to have it pulled and replaced. But in fact, this is not usually the case. In most situations, tooth extraction is a last resort for teeth that cannot be treated using any other treatment.
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There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t get your tooth extracted, and should instead get restorative treatment like a root canal and dental crown.
 
First, tooth extraction is much more invasive than restoring your tooth. A root canal may seem scary, but it’s actually minimally-invasive and is not painful at all, and there will be little pain or discomfort after your treatment. In contrast, healing from an extraction takes a lot longer, and you’ll likely feel more discomfort during the recovery process.
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In addition, extraction is not a permanent solution for a damaged tooth. This is because once your tooth is extracted, it still has to be replaced with a partial denture, a dental bridge, or a dental implant. This adds even more cost to your overall treatment, which you could likely avoid with a treatment like a dental crown and a root canal. 
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Make sure to always discuss your options for restoring your smile with Dr. Villalobos. To protect your oral health and ensure you get the right treatment for your condition, our team will only recommend tooth extractions if they’re really necessary.

Usually, you’ll need to get either a dental filling or a dental crown at Coronado Dental Associates.
Fillings are much cheaper than dental crowns, so they are the best choice if you catch the cavity early. Dental fillings are typically recommended for cavities that are minor-to-moderate in size. The tooth will be prepared by trimming away decayed material, and then the filling material will be placed into the cavity to restore your tooth. 
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However, if you have a very large or extensive cavity, you may need to get a dental crown. Large fillings are usually quite weak, so they are not a good solution for deep or extensive cavities. You may also need root canal therapy if you have a very deep cavity that has resulted in an infection of your tooth. 
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Crowns are “false teeth” that are designed to fit over your remaining natural tooth structure after it has been trimmed. They are made of porcelain, and are bonded permanently to the tooth, replacing the surface of the tooth all the way down to the gumline, making them ideal for treating large cavities.

The sooner you repair your damaged teeth, the sooner you can restore your appearance, and begin chewing and eating normally, and get back to your daily routine. 
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In addition, repairing damaged teeth right away with crowns, fillings, or root canals helps prevent further complications. If you don’t get a root canal for an infected tooth, for example, it will eventually die and fall out of your mouth. 
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By repairing damaged teeth as soon as you can, you can avoid these complications and further dental surgeries, and get relief from your pain and discomfort.