Reasons for Tooth Extractions

You can trust the professionalism and compassion of Dr. Eric Meyer’s dental team to see you safely through a tooth extraction. But having a tooth removed is a serious undertaking and we think it’s best for our patients to understand in what circumstances we would recommend it.

Modern dentistry provides all sorts of safe, aesthetically pleasing ways of fixing teeth that have been chipped, broken, infected, or eroded. But there still isn’t a good way to repair a tooth that has been cracked down the root. In these cases, we would discuss replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge. There are also cases of pulp infection in which it might be necessary to remove a tooth, although this would usually only be done after an unsuccessful root canal.

Most extractions are recommended for children and teenagers whose teeth are becoming overcrowded. Modern peoples’ jaws usually are not large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, causing them to get stuck while erupting. It is also common for people to have a set of premolars removed before undergoing orthodontic treatment in order to allow the remaining teeth to be moved into a symmetrical arch. Baby teeth may also be removed if they do not fall out after the adult tooth has come in behind them.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Basics of Bridges

We’re experienced providers of replacement teeth at Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office. When multiple teeth need to be replaced, a dental bridge is one of the patient’s best options. These prosthetics have come a long way in a short time, which is why we want to provide a run-down of their possibilities.

Bridges are linked artificial crowns. A classic dental bridge was one that used two reshaped natural teeth as abutments and had a third crown suspended between it. These kinds of bridges have the advantage of keeping the teeth straight and retaining the natural tooth roots, which are more stable. However, the necessity of reshaping two teeth led dentists to usually only recommend them in cases where there was widespread dental decay or they believed a healthy tooth would need to be replaced, anyway.

Modern bridges can be made as part of removable dentures and skirt around healthy teeth. They have to be reshaped if the teeth shift, but they allow more targeted treatment and easier hygiene. Bridges can also be permanently attached with implants, which will help the jaw bone retain its structure.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit Fullerton Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Crowns Save Teeth

Crowns are a common restorative option that the doctors and staff of Fullerton dental have used to help save many teeth.  Crowns are ideal for teeth with a significant amount of decay or that have been chipped. A crown fits over the damaged tooth like a little cap and covers it completely, acting as a replacement.  The safe and non-invasive procedure of installing a crown can be completed in as little as two appointments. 

The process begins with preparing the tooth by removing any decay, and to ensure a great fit for the crown your dentist may need to contour the tooth that remains.  When the tooth has been prepared, an impression of the mouth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory for the custom product to be fabricated.  Ask us about temporary options to wear while your new crown is being made.  Once your custom crown is made, the crown will be cemented into place by your dentist at a second appointment. 

To learn more about crowns and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.fullertondental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, in Fullerton CA, call 714-879-7943.

Intrinsic Stains

Did you know that root canals can be an important cosmetic procedure? Stains can be both extrinsic and intrinsic to a tooth, meaning they can affect the outer as well as the inner layers. At Dr. Eric Meyer’s Fullerton dental office, we offer several means of restoring teeth to whiteness, but for some intrinsic stains, a root canal is necessary.

Extrinsic stains are generally caused by repeated exposure to dark liquids such as coffee or red wine, or by smoke and tar. They can usually be fixed with bleaching. Intrinsic stains affect the dental pulp. They could be due to the tooth having been exposed to an excessive amount of fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics while it was developing, or by inflammation. Although an intrinsic stain can be covered with a veneer, inflamed pulp presents a health concern and should not be swept under the rug.

Although inflammation is part of the body’s immune response, the body does a poor job at fighting off tooth infections on its own and a root canal will probably be necessary. Typically, a root canal ends with the tooth being filled and sealed. But to reverse cosmetic damage, an entire new crown may be necessary.

Eric M. Meyer, DDS, operates at 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, California, 92835. To schedule an appointment, call 714-879-7943 or visit FullertonDental.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dental Crowns with Dr. Eric Meyer

From the acid corrosion caused by the food you eat to the constant biting, crunching and grinding you do when eating or stressed, daily activities weaken your teeth and make them more susceptible to decay, cracks, discoloration and more. If any of your teeth reach a point where they become so weak or decayed that the tooth structure becomes compromised, a crown can be used to protect and reinforce it. By covering a weak or broken tooth and restoring it to its original size and shape, a crown reduces pain and saves the tooth from needing to be extracted, and in Fullerton, CA, Dr. Eric Meyer can determine if a crown is needed to save your smile.

Made from porcelain, gold or porcelain fused to metal, crowns are used to repair teeth when fillings or bonding are not enough. When you have a crown placed, Dr. Meyer will first prepare your tooth by removing any existing decay and insulating the tooth nerve with core buildup. Besides providing insulation, the core buildup also serves as a surface for the crown to bond to. Once the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken so that the crown can be created to fit perfectly. Then at your next appointment, the custom crown is cemented onto the current tooth to prevent further decay and fracture.

Schedule an appointment with our office by calling 714.879.7943. For more information, please visit www.fullertondental.com.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are two procedures that use the tooth structure as a base for restoration. Often called partial crowns, both inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth while restoring its shape and working to prevent further damage. At our office in Fullerton, CA, we use these procedures to repair teeth when decay is too extensive to support a filling but not extensive enough to use a crown.

When there is no damage to the cusps of a tooth, Dr. Eric Meyer uses an inlay for restoration, bonding it right on top of the tooth. Made of porcelain, inlays are both strong and natural-looking, providing an attractive solution to repairing your tooth. Onlays are used when damage is a little more extensive and are used to repair part of the cusp of the tooth.

Inlays and onlays can be created at a lab out of porcelain, gold or composite resin. Fabrication normally takes between two to three weeks, and during that time, you will be provided with temporary restorations while you wait. Once they are ready, they will be cemented in place.

To ensure that your teeth get the best dental care available, schedule an appointment with our office by calling 714.879.7943. For more information, visit www.FullertonDental.com.