Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

Dr. Stephen Coker provides cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Cary, North Carolina, and surrounding areas to help you regain a healthy, beautiful smile that you can enjoy for years to come. We invite you to call Parkway Dental at 919-380-9622 to learn more about our cosmetic and restorative treatments and schedule your consultation with our experienced dentist.

There are many reasons why adult teeth may need cosmetic or restorative treatment. The most common reason is decay, followed by fractured teeth, and old restorations needing replacement. If we recommend that a tooth with a cavity be treated and more than a few weeks pass after the initial diagnosis, the cavity will almost always get bigger and can cause pain. Once this happens, it will likely require more extensive and expensive treatment. The tooth may even have to be removed and replaced with a false (or artificial) tooth. If you have a cavity and it needs a restoration, there are different kinds of materials that may be used to restore the functionality of the tooth. Please remember that a tooth may need treatment before it causes pain. If a tooth causes pain, it may be able to be saved, but the treatment time and cost typically increase due to the complexity of the necessary procedures.

How Cavities Form

A cavity is a very small hole that forms on the surface, side, or root of a tooth. Cavities are caused when sugars in the food you eat combine with the bacteria in your mouth. This combination produces a mild acid that eats away at the enamel, the hard outer layer of your tooth. Cavities can occur at any age, but are most common during childhood when dental hygiene may be less thorough. While there is a genetic component to dental health, including teeth, gums, and the bone that holds the teeth, no matter how good your genes are, if you don’t take good care of your teeth you may be prone to very serious consequences.

Cavities and Restoration Choices

As part of any visit to Parkway Dental, our dentist checks all your restorations (crowns, fillings, bridges, veneers, etc.) for signs of decay or old age. We may recommend X-rays so that we can see inside and between your teeth. If we spot any cavities, we may recommend different options for restoring the tooth to full function. If the cavity is in the very early stages of development, we may decide to keep an eye on it and recommend a home fluoride rinse to help the tooth fight the cavity and possibly prevent the need for a restoration.

For more information about cosmetic and restorative dentistry, please contact our office today.