Dental Fillings

When a filling is required, Dr. da Costa and his team can provide bonded restorations. Closely matched to the color and shape of your surrounding teeth, this procedure protects your teeth while providing a beautiful smile.

After years of use, fillings can start to break down at the edges, which can lead to new decay or weakening of the surrounding tooth structure. If you have received fillings over the years, Dr. da Costa will closely monitor them for any signs of failure and treat them as needed.

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

Tooth-colored/bonded restorations are natural-looking fillings that prevent further tooth decay while strengthening weakened teeth. Generally completed during one office visit, this bonding procedure can significantly improve the appearance of a tooth. Composite restorations come in a variety of shades to match the color of the surrounding tooth structures.

Disadvantages of Silver Fillings

There are many disadvantages to silver fillings. The edges of the filling can wear down, weaken, or break, which can result in recurring decay or fracturing of the tooth. The metal of silver fillings expands and contracts over time, which can cause cracks in teeth. These kinds of fillings can also corrode and cause stains on your teeth and gums.

In addition, there has been an increase in concern in recent years regarding the health problems associated with mercury in silver fillings. Some countries in Europe have banned the use of this material, replacing silver fillings with tooth-colored fillings. For additional protection, a rubber dam with a high suction vacuum is used to protect patients against removal of the mercury as these fillings are extracted and replaced with safer, bonded tooth-colored restorations.

Root Canal Therapy

No treatment can replace the benefits of a natural tooth. However, your tooth may need root canal (endodontic) treatment for it to remain a healthy part of your mouth.

A tooth is made of pulp (also known as nerve tissue) on the inside and enamel and dentin on the outside. A root canal is necessary when the pulp – the nerve inside the root – develops infection.

The infection can have a variety of causes, including a crack in the tooth, repeated dental work, or deep decay. A tooth that has been injured may also sustain pulp damage even when there are no visible signs on the outside of the tooth. Without treatment, pulp infection can result in pain or lead to an abscess.

A root canal is a treatment that will save your damaged tooth. In this situation, a tooth is restored through removing the infected nerve tissue, treating any remaining infection, and filling the empty root canals with medicated dental materials. Antibiotic treatment may also be required in conjunction with root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy usually involves one office visit for Dr. da Costa to complete. Afterwards, it is essential that you return to have a crown or other restoration placed over the tooth to protect it. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, but any pain can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications as needed.

Root Canal Therapy After-Care

Dr. da Costa recommends taking pain medication within one hour of leaving Harmony Dental Care after root canal treatment. This allows the medication to get into your blood system before the effects of anesthesia subside. Generally, only one dose of pain medication is needed.

It is not uncommon for your tooth to feel uncomfortable or have a dull ache immediately after root-canal therapy. Your tooth may also feel sensitive when biting and or may even feel loose, but this will only be temporary.

It’s important to remember that the treated tooth is weakened and could fracture with overuse during this time, which would require the removal of the tooth. To protect the weakened tooth, chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated, until you have a final restoration placed. In addition, avoid chewing gum, caramels or other sticky soft candy which can further damage the tooth.

Dental Crowns

Our goal at Harmony Dental is to provide dental work that is indiscernible from the natural look and function of your teeth. We exchange existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

Used to support damaged teeth and fix functional chewing problems, crowns are constructed from materials such as high-grade porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain bonded to gold. Fitting a crown requires two visits to Harmony Dental. Initially, Dr. da Costa will get rid of any decay, shape the tooth as needed, and then fit the tooth with a temporary crown.

On the subsequent visit, Dr. da Costa will remove the temporary crown, replacing it with a permanent crown. Once adjusted, the permanent crown will be cemented into place and you will have a new, beautiful looking tooth.

Replacing Missing Teeth

Success while speaking, chewing, and maintaining proper alignment of your jaw requires the presence of all of your teeth. Tooth loss is often attributed to age, but no matter the reason, lost teeth must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Missing teeth can cause stress for the gums and other oral tissues, resulting in a number of potentially harmful disorders.
Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss. These options include dental bridges, dental implants, and removable partial and full dentures.

Dental Bridges

One of the worst side effects of missing teeth is an increased risk of gum disease. This trend can be minimized with dental bridge, which is used to replace missing teeth. The bridge attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth.

A fixed bridge involves the placement of crowns on the abutment teeth, or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Dental bridges can be made using porcelain, gold, or a combination of these materials.

Fitting a dental bridge usually takes two appointments to complete. Dr. da Costa will first prepare the teeth on either side of the space by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

A bridge must be constructed precisely to guarantee correct bite and to match the opposing teeth, so impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab. Between appointments, a temporary bridge will be provided to protect the teeth.

Crowns, which are cemented onto natural teeth, provide support for the bridge. Fixed bridges are cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth.
A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. Good dental care of these teeth is critically important, as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

Invisalign Orthodontics

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces that straighten teeth over time using clear plastic molds called “aligners.” Invisalign braces are “invisible,” allowing Dr. da Costa to work with the latest technology to create your new smile.

Using the Invisalign three-dimensional computer imaging system, Dr. da Costa will create your aligners based on a series of bite impressions of your teeth. The created aligners, worn 24 hours a day, will apply gentle pressure to move your teeth into the desired alignments. In addition, the aligners are easily removed for eating, brushing and flossing and pose few problems during the course of treatment.