Rebuilding Smiles
You deserve a Healthy, Beautiful Smile
If you feel embarrassed about your smile or are tired of trying to eat with missing or broken teeth, we can help! Today's dental materials and techniques offer solutions for virtually any smile challenge.
Planning for Dental Health
We know that having dental problems can feel overwhelming. The first step to getting back on track to proper dental health is to schedule a complete dental examination with Dr. Holder. During your exam, Dr. Holder will review your digital dental x-rays and assess the health of your gums and bite to help prioritize your needs.
Your medical and dental history are also very important in this process. Sometimes teeth break down because of medications we are taking, nutrition, teeth grinding or clenching, worn fillings or old dental work. Understanding your total health will help Dr. Holder create a plan to rebuild your smile. Learn more about Your First Visit with Dr. Wendy Holder.
Restorative dentistry procedures can address a wide range of dental health issues, including:
- Tooth damage from decay or breakage
- Missing teeth that make it difficult to chew
- Painful tooth abscesses
- Sore jaw joints related to bite problems
Our first concern is to make you comfortable with us! We will review your treatment plan with you in detail and make sure all of your questions are answered. We have financing options available and can often phase your treatment with your budget.
Restorative Treatments that Dr. Holder provides for our Patients include:
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is designed to fully cover the top portion of the tooth (the ‘crown’). Dr. Holder prepares the tooth and then sends a dental impression to our lab with instructions to fabricate the crown from a durable material, such as tooth-colored ceramics, zirconia or other precious metals.
Crowns are generally recommended when the tooth structure has been damaged by decay or injury; the dental crown restores the tooth to normal function and helps to protect it from further harm.
Dental Fillings
Dr. Holder may recommend a dental filling to stop the progression of tooth decay and repair the tooth structure. Composite resin filling material is shaped to the tooth and bonded in place with special adhesives designed for dentistry. The result is a filling that looks like your natural tooth and seals the tooth surface to protect it from decay-causing bacteria.
Root Canals
Root canals are necessary when a tooth nerve becomes infected as a result of extensive tooth decay or trauma. The nerve of a tooth is located inside the tooth walls. The nerve extends from the top of the tooth where it is housed in the pulp chamber, and through the tooth roots via ‘canals’ where it is connected to the body's circulatory and nervous system. In a root canal procedure, the nerve is removed and the inside of the pulp chamber and tooth roots are cleaned and sealed to prevent re-infection. Dr. Holder will restore the tooth with a dental crown after the root canal to protect the tooth from further damage.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is fabricated by our dental laboratory using ceramic porcelain or precious metals. A dental bridge is a fixed dental appliance (unlike a removable denture or partial denture).
Dr. Holder designs a dental bridge to replace one or more missing teeth. The support teeth (abutments) on either side of the missing tooth are joined together by the dental bridge to provide a replacement for the missing tooth (pontic).
Dental Implant Restorations
Dental implants are also a replacement for missing teeth. A single dental implant can be used to replace one tooth, or, multiple dental implants can be used to replace several teeth. A dental implant is a small titanium post that is placed in the jawbone to serve as a foundation for a dental crown, bridge or denture.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture is a removable dental appliance that is used to replace one or more missing teeth in an arch (upper or lower). The partial denture is an arch-shaped frame with replacement teeth that is held in place by clasps that attach to the existing teeth. Partial dentures are designed by Dr. Holder and then fabricated by our dental laboratory using a combination of metal and dental acrylic materials.
Complete Dentures
A complete denture replaces all of the teeth in a dental arch (upper or lower). Dr. Holder works closely with our dental laboratory to design a complete denture to look like a natural smile.
If you are a denture-wearer, be sure to ask us about implant-secured dentures. A denture can be locked in place with a series of implants (all on four or all on six) so you don't have to battle with loose dentures anymore!
Get Started on Your New Smile
If you are ready to enjoy eating and smiling again, give us a call! Dr. Holder and Team can assist you with restorative options that make sense for you. Contact Dr. Wendy Holder & Team
Alexander City dentist Dr. Wendy Holder has over 30 years' of experience and advanced training in dental procedures to rebuild and restore your smile. Our office is open Monday-Thursday, 8am to 5pm (we are closed for lunch from 1-2pm). We are accepting new patients and are able to file most major dental insurance plans. We look forward to serving your dental health needs!