Mission Viejo practice offers range of attractive yet safe tooth repair options

When you hear "tooth repair," it's easy to think of restoring the tooth to the everyday function for which it was designed. Long-term aesthetic considerations may be overlooked, especially in acute or emergency situations where you just want to get out of pain fast. Basti Dental Care wants you to be happy with the look of the repaired tooth, as well as with the way the tooth feels and functions in your mouth. As such, Drs. Alex and Nina Basti offer a number of safe tooth repair options in Mission Viejo that are as beautiful as they are functional, including:

• Bonding
• Porcelain veneers
• Cosmetic braces (Invisalign, Six Month Smiles)
• White, tooth-colored fillings
• Porcelain crowns
• Aesthetic dental bridges
• Implant-supported crowns

The procedures listed above represent a wide range of functional needs. Bonding and veneers, for instance, may address chips or cracks that can ultimately threaten the structure of the tooth. Modern straightening techniques comfortably and subtly realign teeth and correct a range of bite issues.

Cosmetic fillings can repair the cavities or holes created by tooth decay, while crowns may be needed to build up a tooth with more advanced decay. Should a tooth not be saved with root canal therapy and a crown, Drs. Alex and Nina Basti may suggest a dental bridge or dental implant so you don't have to go without teeth.

A bridge is securely affixed to adjacent teeth, while an implant is actually a titanium "tooth root" placed in the underlying bone. This medical device eventually fuses to the jawbone during the natural process of "osseointegration," at which point a connecting abutment piece is added and the natural-looking crown is cemented on top of this strong foundation.

Drs. Basti also get beyond the myths associated with tooth repair options. Arguably, one of the biggest myths is that conventional metal fillings (especially those containing mercury) are toxic to living tissues. There is no conclusive evidence that these amalgam fillings are unsafe and have long-term negative consequences to your health.

A bigger concern is related to the age of your fillings. If these and other restorations become worn-down, they are not effective at keeping out decay. White fillings, though, may be preferred over other types of metal-based fillings due to cosmetics especially if the tooth to be restored is toward the front of your mouth.

Bring any questions or concerns you may have to Basti Dental Care by scheduling an appointment at 949-427-2096.