Restorative Dentistry

Missing teeth can pose many problems. Not only are your smile and appearance affected, but you may find it difficult to eat or speak properly.

Fortunately, there is a solution that can restore the function and appearance of a missing tooth. Dental implants are rooted right into the jawbone and covered with a custom porcelain crown, which looks and functions just like a normal tooth. The result? A permanent solution for missing teeth that lets you eat without pain, talk normally, and look your best.

Implants can be used to replace single missing teeth, multiple missing teeth, and restore all the teeth in a case when the patient is a denture wearer. The process is usually very simple and can be performed painlessly under local anesthetic. The implant works through a process called osseointegration . The jawbone actually fuses to the titanium implant. The result can be a lifelong restoration the normally requires no further maintenance other than regular cleaning.

Millions of Americans suffer tooth loss -- mostly due to tooth decay, gingivitis (gum disease), or injury. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But, today, dental implants are available.

Dental implants are replacement tooth roots. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. There are many advantages to dental implants, including improved appearance, improved speech, improved comfort, easier eating, improved self-esteem, improved oral health, durability and convenience. Contact Post Falls Family Dental to see if dental implants are right for you.

Sedation dentistry offers an excellent way to provide a safe, anxiety-free, dental experience to those who are afraid of the dentist. A significant number of Americans do not visit the dentist for regular checkups because they are too fearful or suffer from dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry is often mistakenly thought to induce sleep. In fact, most sedatives allow the patient to stay awake during the procedure. Sleepiness is a side effect of some medications, but nitrous oxide and an oral conscious sedation only work to calm anxiety throughout the dental visit.

Sedation dentistry is popular because most sedatives can be taken by mouth, meaning no injections, no anxiety and no pain. Some sedatives work so effectively that even the smells and details of the procedure cannot be recalled afterwards. Safety and compliance are two important aspects of treatments, so sedation dentistry offers both the individual and the dentist the best alternative.

Whatever the form of sedative, it is essential to be accompanied by a caregiver. Sometimes, sedatives are provided the night before the dental visit, which means that driving to or from the appointment is not recommended.

If you are of a certain age, you may have had your teeth filled with mercury containing amalgam fillings. Over time, these fillings may cause cracks and breakdown of the remaining natural tooth structure. We offer several alternatives to mercury containing amalgam fillings. The most conservative way to remove and replace small conservative amalgam fillings is with composite resin filling materials. This material can be placed directly in the tooth and can restore the tooth to nearly 90% of is original strength.

The thought of having a root canal treatment is frightening to some patients, however Post Falls Family Dental patients rarely experience any discomfort during the entire procedure. Years of experience and techniques has given Post Falls Family Dental the skills to do root canal therapy in a way that makes our patients comfortable.

A Root canal treatment is done when a nerve, also called the pulp, has degenerated either through deep decay or trauma. Initially the nerve becomes inflamed causing a toothache. Eventually this inflammation may reverse or may become infected. Sometimes the pulp may degenerate slowly and without symptoms of pain. The painless abscess or infection may only be evident through viewing a radiograph. Without treatment, an infection may become more severe and either build up pressure or drain either through the tooth opening or through the side of the jaw bone called a fistula. An infected tooth will never heal on its own. As it gets worse it will continue to be a source of infection that depletes your immune system which can affect your entire body. As long as there is enough tooth structure to do a restoration we will recommend doing root canal therapy to save your tooth. The good news is that is can be treated quickly and relief from pain is immediate in many cases.