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Waukee Family Dentistry
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Composite (White) fillings: White fillings are an alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite resin that is matched to the surrounding tooth color. In the past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth, but recently a stronger more durable material has been developed that can withstand the chewing pressure of back teeth. They are still less durable and more technique sensitive than silver fillings. They can be utilized in limited situations.

Amalgam (Silver) fillings: Silver fillings have been used reliably for many years. Typically, silver fillings are placed on back teeth (molars). They are an economical way of providing a lasting restoration for most cavities. The material is specially formulated to withstand years of chewing pressure.

A Permanent Bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. A Bridge will:

Keep teeth from drifting into the space created from a missing tooth
Help preserve normal function and normal bite for the jaw joint

A Permanent Bridge is usually anchored to the teeth on both sides of the space from the missing tooth. This gives the bridge strong support. Brushing a bridge is no different than brushing natural teeth, but special flossing instructions are given to keep the bridge and surrounding tissue healthy.

A Permanent Bridge is permanently bonded in place, unlike a Partial Denture (sometimes called a removable bridge), which is removable.
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When most or all your natural teeth have been lost, dentures provide many benefits:
- Restore your self-esteem
- Regain your eating ability
- Aid speaking ability
- Give support back to the lips and cheeks (giving you a natural and younger appearance).

A Complete Denture is placed in the patient's mouth after all the teeth have been extracted and the gum tissue has healed. Healing takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending upon the patient.

An Overdenture usually requires that at least 2 roots be kept. These roots may be used to hold the denture in place by placing inserts in the roots and in the denture. The denture then attaches to the roots. These roots also give support to the denture and help retain the ridge the denture sits on.

An Implant-Retained Denture is similar to an Overdenture, but uses implants as anchors.

An Immediate Denture is placed the same day the teeth are extracted. The advantage to an Immediate Denture is that the patient does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

A Partial Denture or "removable bridge" replaces one or more missing teeth, but there must be teeth remaining for the partial to attach to. Unlike a Fixed Bridge, a partial is removable. A partial will prevent other teeth from shifting, preserving your remaining teeth.