Restorative Dentistry – Gum Disease Treatment, Composite Fillings, and More – Tuscaloosa / Northport Areas
At Fikes & Wagner Family, we strive to provide exceptional dental care that consistently results in healthy, beautiful smiles for our patients. Our dentists can solve dental problems and restore function to the mouth with a range of restorative dentistry options, including composite fillings and gum disease treatment, for patients in Tuscaloosa, Northport, Carrolton, Eutaw, Greensboro, and surrounding communities. Other treatments include dental implants, crowns, dentures, and general dentistry treatments.Composite Fillings
Gum Disease Treatment
Dental Crowns
Dental Bridges
Dentures
Dental Implant Restorations
General Dentistry Treatments
ViziLite Oral Cancer Screening
Root Canal Therapy
Halitosis Treatment
Dental Emergencies
Oral Exams and Cleanings
Tooth Extractions
TMJ Treatment
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings, also referred to as “tooth-colored fillings” or “white fillings,” are a vast improvement over traditional metal (amalgam) fillings. They blend beautifully with the natural teeth and do not present many of the health hazards associated with metal fillings. Composite fillings are used frequently in restorative dentistry because of their durability and in cosmetic dentistry because of their attractiveness.What Are Composite Fillings?
Composite fillings are made up of attractive tooth-colored composite resin. The dentist custom-blends the composite material to precisely match the patient’s tooth. He then inserts the material into the filling and cures it with a special light. The result is virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding tooth structure. Composite fillings are used in general and restorative dentistry to replace old metal fillings or to fill new cavities.Benefits of Composite Fillings
There are numerous cosmetic and practical benefits of composite fillings. They represent a vast improvement on metal fillings. Unlike metal, which expands and shrinks in heat and cold (causing tooth sensitivity), composite resin is resistant to temperature changes. Therefore, it does not cause pain often associated with metal fillings. Moreover, the resin does not contain mercury, which is a significant health concern associated with metal fillings. Finally, the attractiveness of tooth-colored fillings makes them an excellent smile makeover option.Gum Disease Treatment
Fikes & Wagner Family provides outstanding gum disease treatment for patients in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas. By combining advanced periodontal treatments with patient education, we are often able to halt the disease’s progression, restore functioning to the smile, and help patients better care for their oral health.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease (periodontitis), is the gradual decay of the teeth and gums caused by accumulated bacteria in residual plaque. As gum disease progresses, it causes symptoms including bleeding gums, periodontal “pockets” around the roots of the teeth, inflammation of the gums, loose teeth, and jawbone deterioration. If left untreated, gum disease can necessitate tooth extraction.Treating Gum Disease
Gum disease can be treated in several possible ways. A patient’s treatment depends on the severity of the disease and how far it has progressed. Treatment options include:Scaling and root planing procedures – most often used in early-stage gum disease; remove unhealthy gum tissue (scaling) and smooth the surface of the tooth’s root to prevent future plaque buildup (planing).
Periodontal pocket reduction – reduce the size of periodontal pockets by stitching the gum tissue.
Crown lengthening procedures – expose more of the tooth by removing unhealthy gum and bone tissue.
Soft tissue grafts – replace unhealthy gum tissue with gum tissue from healthy donor sites.
Contact our office to learn more about improving the health of your smile through gum disease treatment or with composite fillings. We serve Tuscaloosa, Northport and surrounding communities.