Crowns

In cases when a filling or bonding will not be sufficient, we use dental crowns. Crowns are a great restorative treatment used when teeth become weak due to decay, cracks, discoloration and other issues. We treat many of our patients suffering from weakened teeth with dental crowns.

 

A crown is essentially a “cap” that covers the damaged tooth. Unlike removable devices such as dentures or bridges, a crown is used to improve appearance, shape or alignment. Crowns are cemented onto existing teeth or implant and can be removed by the dentist if necessary. Dental crowns are used in many applications. Mostly, they are used to protect a weak tooth from a fracture and to restore a fractured tooth. Crowns are also used during the dental implant process to cover the abutment while the jaw bone grows around the implant. Temporary crowns help maintain proper chewing and speaking efficiency during the implant process.

 

Crowns are typically made from porcelain fused to metal or a full gold crown. A porcelain crown can be matched to the shade of your other teeth, allowing it to blend in and appear just as your natural teeth do. The process of installing a crown usually takes 2-3 visits. Dr. Bishop will start by reshaping the enamel of the broken tooth so the crown can be placed properly. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be created of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. A temporary crown will be set in place so the teeth do not shift while the permanent crown is being created. Once the crown is completed, it will be put in place and bonded with cement to assure it stays in place.

Root Canal

When someone you know says they need a root canal procedure, there is often a negative connotation associated with it, leaving you to feel badly for your friend. The misconception that root canals are painful, cause illness or will further cause damage to your teeth is decades old and holds no truth. Science has come a long way since the first root canal procedure occurred in the 1700’s.

 

The whole point of a root canal procedure is to alleviate pain, not cause more. Root canals are performed by removing the pulp of the tooth that has become inflamed, infected or dead. The pulp is a soft substance that is in the center of the tooth, it consists of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. The most common causes of pulp damage are cracked tooth, deep cavity and an injury to a tooth. We use this procedure to save a tooth that is badly decayed and would otherwise be extracted. After the pulp is removed, it is thoroughly cleaned and then functions properly.

 

One of the main misconceptions regarding root canals focuses on the idea that the procedure “kills” the tooth rather than repairing it. Once the pulp is cleaned and disinfected, the area filled and sealed with a rubber-like material called “gutta-percha.” Afterwards, the tooth is restored with a crown or filling for protection. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth. People also think that a root canal procedure is an invasive procedure that takes hours to complete. Modern root canal procedures are often compared to having a routine filling and can be completed in just one visit.

 

We are proud to offer pain-free root canal procedures at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, MD. Call 301-608-9270 to schedule your appointment today!

Sleep Apnea

While most dental practices offer a very narrow scope of procedures, we have established a full-service dental practice that specializes in preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. For patients hoping to restore their smile after an accident should be aware of the many options we have available to fix their smile.

 

With restorative dentistry, we are able to replace or restore missing teeth or missing parts of the tooth structure. Tooth structure can be damaged due to decay, deterioration of a previously placed restoration or the tooth could fracture. We offer the following restorative dental procedures at our Silver Spring, MD office:

• Bridges
• Crowns
• Dentures
• Bonding

The goal of restorative dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth as much as possible. In cases where we cannot save the natural teeth, full dentures might be necessary. Most people do not know that a missing tooth can cause serious damage to your mouth. When a tooth a missing, the rest of your teeth will begin to shift, causing your teeth to become misaligned. When teeth become misaligned, they are more difficult to clean, and decayed teeth are susceptible to periodontal disease which can lead to tooth loss. Missing teeth also put extra stress on your remaining natural teeth because you don't have as much surface area to chew with.

 

If you are missing any teeth, consider restorative treatments at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, MD. Our staff has years of experience and specialize in these restorative treatments.