Get Your Smile in Shape for Thanksgiving

It’s always a bummer when dental damage keeps you from eating foods you enjoy. It never feels worse, though, than at Thanksgiving when tables are filled with special foods. We don’t want you to miss out on holiday treats! Let us get your smile in shape for Thanksgiving. 

Fixing dental damage not only gives you more chewing power, it improves your overall health. If you’re sticking mostly to soft foods due to damaged or missing teeth, you may not be getting enough fiber or protein in your diet. 

Call us now at 812-645-0620, so we can schedule your restorative dental care before Thanksgiving. December is usually filled with many opportunities to enjoy holiday foods too. Dr. Powers will be able to answer all of your questions and help you find the right solution for your smile during a free consultation or second opinion.

In the meantime, read about how we can get your dental health back on track with a restorative treatment.

Enjoy Pain-Free Chewing With a Filling or Crown

Cavities are a common condition. According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 80 percent of Americans have at least one cavity by the time they are in their mid-30s. The good news is, it’s an easy problem to fix – especially if cavities are small. In many cases, a filling is all that’s needed. 

We use two types of fillings, so you can select the one that works best for you. We can match fillings made of composite to the color of the rest of your teeth so they blend beautifully into your smile. You’ll never need to worry about silver or dark spots showing! Plus, they do not contain mercury. While the FDA and ADA say mercury in fillings doesn’t present any health concerns for most people, some people simply prefer to avoid the material. 

If you’d prefer, we can use amalgam (metal) fillings. Since they typically last longer and cost less than composite, they may be a great choice for areas in your mouth where you aren’t worried about fillings showing.

For larger cavities, you may need a dental crown, a restoration that covers your entire tooth. Because of this, we can also use crowns to mend cracks and breaks. Dr. Powers can even attach a crown to a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. 

It’s important to repair cavities. If not, decay can get into the soft pulp in the center of your teeth. When that happens, you will need either a root canal or an extraction. If your damage is too serious for a filling but not extensive enough for a crown, Dr. Powers may recommend an inlay or an onlay. 

Replace Missing Teeth So You Won’t Miss Favorite Meals

Missing teeth make it tough to chew many kinds of food. They can also create further dental damage, causing a misaligned bite and other problems. Fortunately, we have many options for replacing them and restoring your smile. 

For teeth that offer a natural look, feel, and function, we recommend dental implants. Unlike other kinds of replacement teeth, you won’t suffer bone loss in your jaw with implants. Dr. Powers uses a 3D CT scanner and a computer-guided placement procedure to ensure you’ll get the best results. 

Depending on how many teeth you are missing, you can choose:

• Implant Crowns – Dr. Powers can attach a crown to a single implant to replace one tooth. 
• Implant Bridges – This restoration fills a gap left by several missing teeth. Unlike a traditional bridge, there is no need to reshape healthy teeth for an implant bridge. 
• Implant Dentures – You won’t need adhesive to keep your teeth in place with implant dentures. 

If implants just aren’t for you, we also offer traditional bridges and removable dentures. 

To get in your smile in shape for Thanksgiving, call Scott W. Powers, DDS Family & Implant Dentistry for an appointment in our Lyons, IN office. You’ll be enjoying your favorite foods again in no time!