Fillings
Cavities aren’t just for kids! Still, our adult patients are almost always shocked and surprised when we have to inform them that they have a cavity. But young or not, teeth can develop cavities, especially if you smoke, have dry mouth syndrome, take certain medications, or your teeth have deep grooves or fissures. We use digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to detect even the smallest caries lesions in order to treat them before they develop into a major problem.
This is important, because even the smallest cavities can develop into major infections that result in pain, abscess, and even tooth loss. When we do detect tooth decay, we can sometimes use air abrasion to remove the compromised enamel. Most often, we will also strengthen and seal the tooth with tooth-colored composite resin so the filling will blend perfectly in your smile. Composite fillings are better for your teeth and your confidence, but if you insist on a traditional filling, we can place one upon request.
Porcelain Inlays/Onlays
Do you have an old, metal filling that you’d like to have replaced? Have a large cavity that you worry won’t be solved by a composite filling? Do you have damage that needs extra coverage, but might not warrant a full crown? Ask your Mooring Dental team about porcelain inlays and onlays.
Like composite fillings, porcelain inlays and onlays are used to seal, protect, and strengthen damaged or decayed teeth. The biggest difference is that these restorations are custom-created in a lab or with our CEREC machine and bonded to your tooth instead of being applied directly. We use dental inlays and onlays when teeth need the extra durability and reinforcement that porcelain offers (such as for molars or other teeth that are stressed by daily use), or you want a more natural and aesthetically pleasing result. Inlays are most like fillings in that they are bonded in place between the cusps or points of your teeth. Onlays, on the other hand, function more like crowns because they cover at least one cusp, offering tremendous support.
Don’t settle for less than your smile deserves – talk to us about how porcelain inlays and onlays can improve the outcome and longevity of your dental work..
Crowns/Bridges
When teeth break or are lost it can be really discouraging and bring up an endless spin of questions: “How will my teeth be repaired?” “Will restorations feel comfortable?” Can I eat normally?” “Will I ever be able to show off my smile again?”
Don’t worry. Mooring Dental is here to soothe your fears, answer all your questions, and get your smile looking and functioning better than you might ever expect.
Dental crowns are a tremendous tool for dealing with even the most severe dental issues such as:
- Rebuilding and preserving even the most damaged tooth
- Restoring teeth that have been severely decayed
- Sealing a tooth after a root canal
- Acting as a prosthetic tooth to top a single dental implant
- Holding a dental bridge in place
Because we care about your schedule, Mooring Dental has invested in CEREC cad/cam technology, which means that we can design and create your porcelain crowns right here in our office using precise and comfortable digital impressions. No more gooey impression material, no more temporaries, no more return visits for placement or adjustment – just a beautiful crown you can start using the day of your visit.
Partial & Full Dentures
We understand how life-changing losing your teeth can be. It can make eating such a chore that some people experience vitamin deficiencies. It can make speaking challenging. It can lead to gum disease and discomfort. It can even change the shape of your face and lead to rapid aging. Thankfully, tooth replacements have come a long way in the last decades, and teeth – and roots – can be replaced by permanently affixed dental implants. Even a full set of teeth, top and bottom, can be replaced with implant-retained dentures for the ultimate in comfort and function.
But even if you aren’t a candidate for dental implants, Mooring Dental has you covered with the most modern and comfortable partial and full dentures available. These are not your denture-mill prosthodontics. Not at all. Our full and partial dentures are custom designed to fit you better, slip less, and look much more natural than you ever thought possible. If you are missing teeth, have been told you don’t qualify for dental implants, or are sick and tired of your uncomfortable dentures, please talk to us about your options today. We love to see our patients smile!
Endodontics
Some people may not know what endodontics are – but they certainly sit up and take notice when you mention a root canal! Root canals have a bad reputation for being painful, but the truth is, root canals are the solution that stops the pain, not causes it! You see, we usually only suggest a root canal when a tooth is severely infected or compromised – so compromised, that without immediate action, it may need to be removed to stop the infection from spreading and creating abscesses in your jaw or sinuses. Root canals are really not as mysterious as legend has made them.
You see, inside your tooth is a network of tissue, nerves, and blood vessels that were extremely necessary while your tooth was growing in, but stopped being needed in adulthood. When this inner tissue, or pulp, becomes infected, one of the best ways to end the infection is to simply remove the pulp and sterilize the inside of the tooth. Your Mooring Dental doctor will open your enamel in a way similar to preparing for a cavity filling, clear away the infected tissue – all the way to the root canals – thoroughly clean every nook and cranny, fill the tooth with a special sealant, and top your tooth off with a beautiful, long-lasting porcelain crown. Your tooth is saved, your pain ended, and your smile brought back to life!
Orthodontics
Teeth come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. We love them all, and we celebrate them for making you the unique person you are. But when teeth don’t fit together properly, are gapped, crowded, or overlapped, it can cause problems beyond affecting your confidence or appearance. Unbalanced tooth alignment can lead to all kinds of issues including:
- Periodontal disease and increased risk for cavities because of cleaning difficulties
- Chronic headaches and TMJ disorder
- Worn enamel and other tooth damage
- Bad breath
- Difficulties chewing or biting
That’s why Mooring Dental is proud to offer our Clayton, Garner, Wendell, and Raleigh friends orthodontic options right here in the dental office you know and trust.
Depending on the orthodontic issues we are addressing, patients of Mooring Dental may choose from traditional orthodontics and the Invisalign straightening system.
Invisalign is a great choice for adults and teens. Instead of wires and brackets, Invisalign uses clear aligners to straighten and perfect teeth. These aligners are almost invisible in your smile; smooth and non-irritating to tender oral tissues; and can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing, or for a special occasion.
If you have been wishing you could correct your smile with orthodontics, call the team at Mooring Dental today. We are here to help you find the best solution for your needs.
Oral Surgery
Once in a while, a tooth or teeth actually need to be removed. Wisdom teeth, the last set of molars to grow in, can become impacted or unable to erupt and cause all kinds of pain and inflammation. Other adult teeth may not grow beyond the gumline or extra teeth may crowd your mouth. And severely broken, decayed, or otherwise compromised teeth may not be savable and need to be extracted.
We offer oral surgery right here in our familiar Clayton office so you can relax in the knowledge that you will be cared for in the same excellent manner you have become accustomed to – no need for referrals or the stress of a new caregiver, just complete relaxation and pampering during even the most complex procedures. Not only will we wrap you in comfort with cozy blankets and pillows, we also offer sedation options so you can take a nap through your oral surgery. And to make sure your mouth heals properly and your bone isn’t compromised by extraction, ask us about bone graft site preservation.
Technology
We love technology. Sure gadgets are fun to use and make life easier for our dental team, but what we really appreciate about the ever-advancing world of dental technology is how much more effective, convenient, and comfortable it makes dentistry for our patients. That’s what really makes investing in technology and the training to use it so worthwhile. Our restorative dentistry is always supplemented by advanced technology including:
- CEREC CAD/CAM technology lets you receive a custom designed and created porcelain restoration in one easy visit – no waiting, no temporaries
- Cone Beam computed tomography (CT) scanning gives us detailed, 3-d images of bone, dental structures, nerves, and soft tissue for ultra-precise treatment planning
- Air Abrasion blasts away smaller areas of decay and damage without drilling, leaving more of your healthy tooth enamel undisturbed
- Waterlase can often replace the dental drill with a laser beam and water combination to painlessly prepare teeth for dental restorations – usually without novocain
- Digital Photography helps us immediately show you problem areas of your smile, illustrate restorative options, and save images directly to our computers for your records
We think you are worth it!
