General Dentistry
IN JACKSONVILLE, FL
General Dentistry Near You
A variety of treatments are covered by the umbrella of general dentistry, all aimed at helping patients achieve a lifetime of excellent oral health. From regular checkups to substantial restoration treatment plans, our experienced team can help you. We are pleased to provide quality comprehensive dental solutions to Jacksonville, Fl, St. Augustine, FL, St. Johns, FL, and Nocatee, FL.
Dental Fillings
Filling Types in Restorative Dentistry
A dental filling is used to repair tooth decay, minimal tooth fractures, or otherwise damaged surfaces of the teeth.
We use two different filling materials:
Composite: A mixture of plastic and fine glass particles and last at least five years.
Ceramics: Made of porcelain and last more than seven years.
What is the difference in materials: Composite, Porcelain, or Amalgam? There are a number of pros and cons associated with each.
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Safety: Both Composite and Porcelain materials have the advantage of not containing mercury or other metals that may contribute to sensitivity or toxicity.
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Color: Both Composite and Ceramic/Porcelain will match the color of your teeth.
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Durability: Composite materials often require less tooth preparation and may not weaken the affected tooth as much as a traditional amalgam filling. Amalgam often requires more extensive tooth preparation. Composite materials are also more prone to leak and can, therefore, decay more rapidly than amalgam. Porcelain is more resistant to staining and abrasion, however, it is more brittle than composite and can break.
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Tooth Shaping: All materials require preparation of the affected tooth, but less preparation is usually required for composite or ceramics/porcelain. This means that less healthy tooth structure has to be removed.
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Chair Time: Can be completed in one visit.
Enamel loss is a common component of tooth decay and may result in tooth sensitivity. In many cases, sensitivity caused by enamel loss will be significantly improved or completely eliminated once a filling is placed. But in some cases, depending on the extent of tooth decay or damage, the affected tooth may require additional/alternative procedures, including:
Dental Crowns: Teeth requiring more support may require a dental crown on top of the filling.
Dental Implants & Dental Bridges: Irreparable tooth damage may require a tooth extraction followed by a bridge or implant.
Root Canals: Abscessed, Infected, or nerve damaged teeth may require a root canal procedure.
If you think you might need a dental filling, do not wait. Give our Jacksonville, FL office a call today!
Sealants
Dental sealants are a great way to protect your teeth from cavities and tooth decay. Dental sealants are usually suggested for children and are typically applied after their permanent back molars erupt, typically between ages five and twelve. Adults can also benefit from sealants, particularly if their teeth are more vulnerable. Sealants are applied in a quick office visit at Point Meadows Dentistry and require no recovery time. To learn more about this preventive tool, we invite you to contact our Point Meadows Dental team today (904) 373-4777
Bonding and On-Lays
The term bonding is used to describe the process of permanently attaching dental material to your teeth using adhesives and a high-intensity curing light. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably had dental bonding: direct composite or adhesive bonding of a restoration (crown, bridge, porcelain veneer, inlay/onlay).
Direct Composite Bonding: Dentists use tooth-colored composites (white or natural-looking materials) to fill cavities, repair chips or cracks, close gaps between your teeth, and build up the worn-down edges of teeth. The composite bonding is placed in or on the teeth where needed.
Adhesive Bonding: This is used to attach a restoration to a tooth using an etchant, an adhesive, a bonding agent, and a high-intensity curing light. This is typically used for esthetic and porcelain.
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After
Painless Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, also known as “caps,” preserve, protect, and restore the functionality of damaged teeth. This common dental restoration may be used for multiple reasons. Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials, including porcelain fused to metal, gold and porcelain. Each crown material has its own advantages; Dr. Zerbinopoulos and our dedicated Point Meadows Dentistry team will help you determine the best type of dental crown for you.
In addition to damaged or decayed teeth, dental crowns are used for a number of reasons, including:
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Restoring a tooth after root canal therapy
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Anchoring or attaching dental bridges
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Completing implant restorations
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Cosmetically improving your smile
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Correcting a misshaped tooth
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Strengthening weak or cracked teeth
Types of Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration, used to replace missing teeth. We typically recommend dental bridges when you are missing a tooth or several teeth in a row. While dental bridges are designed to replace teeth and restore smiles, they also keep the remaining teeth in their correct positions so that patients can maintain proper tooth alignment and bite.
Other benefits of dental bridges include:
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Restored ability to speak, eat, and chew normally.
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Less stress on the teeth surrounding the missing tooth.
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Restored shape and volume to your face.
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A renewed natural-looking smile.
There are several types of fixed dental bridges, including conventional fixed, cantilever, and resin-bonded. These dental bridges require a professional to remove or alter. Typically, cantilever and conventional bridges require shaping of the teeth surrounding a missing tooth, a crown is then placed on the shaped teeth and attached to an artificial tooth. A resin-bonded bridge requires less preparation and is often used to replace front teeth.
Dentures in Jacksonville, FL
Dentures are artificial teeth that are custom formed to your mouth to replace lost or removed teeth. Dentures can either be full or partial, meaning they can either replace all teeth or just a few. With new technology, you can also get dentures that are permanently retained in your mouth. Regardless of what kind of denture you need, with Point Meadows Dentistry they will be custom designed to fit your mouth and visually matched to your existing teeth.
Type of Dentures:
Full Denture/Conventional Denture
This is a removable prosthetic, typically fabricated after several months from when your natural teeth have been extracted, once the tissues have finished healing. After natural teeth are removed, the gums and jawbone require a period of healing. Waiting for your mouth, jaw, and gums to fully heal helps ensure that conventional dentures will fit properly, with fewer adjustments.
Partial Denture
Partial Dentures replace one or more natural teeth and are ideal for anyone who does not wish to have a dental bridge or dental implants. This denture is removable and often utilize clasps to secure the prosthetic in place. Partial dentures are made from acrylic but may have a base made out of metal for additional strength.
Implant Retained Dentures
Unlike conventional dentures, implant-retained dentures won’t move or slip, they are more comfortable and function just like natural teeth. There is no need for messy adhesive and you won’t experience any of the typical mouth irritations from traditional dentures, like mouth sores. The required maintenance on Implant Retained Dentures is easy, as you can remove them for quick cleaning.
This process is pretty straight forward, this includes the removal of any remaining teeth and placement of implants for the dentures to securely latch to.
Hybrid Implant Denture
Hybrid Implant Dentures are very similar to Implant Retained Dentures with one significant difference, they are a permanent option. These dentures can only be removed by a dental professional. The process is also very similar, but will typically require more implants and possibly bone grafts, to ensure your jaw is strong enough to support the implant. If you’re looking for the best denture option, Hybrid Implant Dentures are just that.
Benefits of Dentures:
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Dentures can help increase self-confidence and self-esteem by replacing missing, worn, or decayed teeth.
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Dentures can improve your ability to speak and eat.
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Dentures tend to be the most affordable solution for replacing missing teeth and is the least invasive option.
Denture Cost:
There are multiple factors that may impact the cost of your dentures. The saying “you get what you pay for” is very important with dentures as there is no one-size-fits-all denture. Dentures are custom-made prosthetics and because of this, the price can vary for multiple reasons.
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Additional procedures such as tooth extractions or surgery to reshape bony ridges.
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The type of dental insurance and coverage you have.
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The complexity of the procedure.
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Dental materials selected by the patient and the dentist. For example, hard-wearing plastic vs high-quality ceramic.
If you are missing multiple or all of your teeth, you can receive full or partial dentures in Jacksonville, Florida. Call Point Meadows Dentistry at (904)373-4777 for more information on dentures and to schedule your consultation with Dr. Andrew Zerbinopoulos.
Implant Retained Dentures
