General & Restorative Dentistry in Fayetteville, AR
General dentistry refers to the treatment and diagnosis of most common dental conditions. While we do our best to prevent these conditions, most patients require some dental treatment during their lives. When a dental condition does arise, we use the highest level of skills and the best materials possible to treat and protect your teeth.
- Fillings - Cavities (decay) in teeth come from acid created by bacteria. Sugar is a big culprit in the formation of cavities, as are sugary and acidic drinks such as energy drinks and sodas. Most of us have had a cavity or two in our lives, and usually if the cavity is small or moderate sized, a filling may be all that you will need to repair and protect your tooth. In today’s cosmetically oriented society, many patients no longer want unsightly silver amalgam fillings placed in their mouths. That is why we primarily place tooth-colored composite fillings for our patients, limiting silver amalgam usage only to those situations where a composite would not work. The primary benefit to composite fillings is that we can remove less tooth structure and we bond them to your natural tooth – plus, they look a lot nicer!
- Bonding – We utilize the same tooth-colored material in dental bonding as we use for fillings. With this composite material, we can correct decayed teeth, spaces, gaps, chips, and broken teeth. We can also improve the appearance of stained or discolored teeth. Dr. Stephens loves dental bonding because it combines his affinity for art with the science of dentistry.
At Scott J. Stephens Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we do our best to save your teeth whenever possible because your natural teeth are the healthiest and most affordable option to maintain your oral health. Occasionally, however, the best way to protect your health might be to remove a troubled tooth. We perform most extractions right here in our Fayetteville, AR dental office.
For more complex extractions, including impacted wisdom teeth, we may refer you to a trusted oral surgeon.
"Root canal" is probably the most dreaded two word combo in the dental vocabulary! The reality is that modern dentistry has made painful root canals outdated. Most people who need root canals come to the office in pain, and they leave pain free because we are able to remove the cause of their pain – the infection.
You might need a root canal if the tissue inside or around your tooth becomes infected. Dr. Stephens will make sure you are completely numb and comfortable before he gently removes the infection and fills the canals with an inert material.
After the root canal is completed, the hollow tooth can be more prone to breaking. Front teeth may only require a filling after a root canal, though some may require a crown if a large portion of the original tooth is missing or decayed. If you have a root canal done on a back tooth, you will absolutely need a crown to seal, protect, and prevent the tooth from breaking. If you are going to invest the time and money for a root canal, we want to protect your tooth so that it lasts as long as possible.