Dr. Blaylock offers comprehensive restorative dental services in Durham, North Carolina. He has over 30 years of experience and has dedicated hours of post-graduate training on the treatment and diagnosis of complex adult dental problems, including damaged and missing teeth.
A graduate of the Dawson Academy, Dr. Blaylock focuses on identifying underlying dental problems such as a bite disorder that may compromise both results from dentistry and long-term dental health.
Dr. Blaylock will take the time to discuss your personal concerns, goals and explain the treatment options that are best suited for solving your specific condition.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry focuses on restoring health, beauty, and function to patients’ smiles and plays an important role in helping to maintain the natural teeth for as long as possible. This facet of dentistry may range from fixing a broken tooth to replacing several missing teeth with dental implants. Dr. Blaylock strives to offer the most conservative treatment options with your long-term health and comfort in mind.
Restorative Dentistry: What To Expect
Dr. Blaylock believes that the best dentistry is a collaborative process between the dentist and the patient. Restorative dentistry focuses on restoring health, aesthetics, and function to teeth that are broken, worn down, or missing. You will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and goals with the dentist and be a part of the treatment planning process.
A comprehensive examination and thorough dental cleaning will help us to identify any hidden problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, or occlusal (bite) disorders.
Dr. Blaylock emphasizes the importance of maintaining dental health in an effort to keep one’s natural teeth for as long as possible. Restorative dentistry plays an important role in helping patients keep their teeth strong and healthy and avoiding tooth loss.
Treating Complex Dental Concerns
Dr. Blaylock offers the restorative, and cosmetic dentistry that his patients need to address restorative dental concerns:
Tooth Grinding: Also known as Bruxism, tooth grinding can lead to a variety of dental problems including damaged teeth. Dr. Blaylock will diagnose the root cause of teeth grinding, commonly a sign of TMJ, and address both the damage and underlying problem to restore oral health.
Broken or chipped Teeth: A broken, chipped or damaged tooth can become a lost tooth if not addressed with a restorative procedure to strengthen and fix it. A dental crown, tooth bonding, or other restorative procedure can restore the health and integrity of a damaged tooth.
Missing Teeth: Missing teeth can eventually cause additional dental health problems and also affect the quality of life of a patient. Dr. Blaylock will coordinate your treatment with a local specialist and place the final restoration in his Durham dentist office.
Restorative Dental Services
Dr. Blaylock has completed advanced post-graduate training in restorative dental procedures and cosmetic dentistry techniques. He is also trained to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders, which are often the cause of cosmetic dental concerns.
Cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures should complement your face and look as though they have always been there. Likewise, the restorations should be comfortable and designed to be long-lasting.
Treatment options include:
- Dental Implants
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Bridges
- Porcelain Veneers
- Composite Tooth Bonding & Fillings
- Root Canal Therapy
- Tooth Extraction
Restorative Dentistry FAQs
What is the difference between a filling and a crown?
A dental filling is a type of material that is bonded to the tooth while a dental crown is a prosthetic device that will completely cover the tooth. Teeth fillings are used to repair small sections of tooth decay and minor damage to the tooth structure. Dental crowns are used when a tooth is cracked, has a large cavity, is weak, or for cosmetic reasons.
How is a missing tooth replaced?
There are several treatments available to replace a missing tooth. The most cost-effective way is with a partial denture however, this is for aesthetic purposes only and provides very little stability. A fixed dental bridge is an effective treatment however it requires damaging surrounding teeth and will not prevent bone loss in the jaw. The best way to replace a tooth is with an implant-supported dental crown. This method does not damage surrounding teeth and prevents jawbone loss.
How do you repair worn-down teeth?
When teeth are worn down, the goal is to build the tooth structure back up. This can be accomplished with composite tooth bonding. However, many of our patients choose to use a more aesthetically pleasing and permanent treatment. Permanent options include dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
Should I have my teeth extracted instead of trying to save them?
Any dentist will try to save your natural teeth first and foremost. Even though there have been many advances in dental technology, natural teeth will always be superior. Extracted teeth can lead to further issues especially decreased bone density in the jaw. This is a condition that affects not only your oral health but also your overall appearance. A patient with bone loss in the jaw will appear older than they really are. Before extraction, Dr. Blaylock will use root canals, dental crowns, and tooth bonding to save and preserve natural teeth.
In some cases, Dr. Blaylock may coordinate your treatment with a local specialist to ensure you receive the dentistry that you need, following up with you in his Durham dental office. Give your dentist in Durham, NC a call at 984-213-4695, or request an appointment online today.