Restorative Dentistry
Looking for a restorative dentistry in Beaufort? Today’s advanced restorative dental treatments and materials can make a real difference, and the skill, experience, and commitment of our practice – using a unique combination of science and artistry – can literally redesign your smile. Even a subtle change in your smile helps you to project an image of self-confidence and high personal esteem. When you feel good about yourself, it shows in your appearance.
Patient Resources
Patient Registration
Please preregister with our office by printing out our registration paperwork and returning it to our office prior to your scheduled appointment if time permits. The paperwork can be returned to us via email, mail, or fax. Should you have previous records you would like to forward to us, please contact your former dental office to authorize the release of records.
When can I schedule a visit?
Palmetto Smiles of Beaufort is open Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will reserve your appointment as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.
Is there a waiting list?
If your preferred appointment time is not available, we will still reserve an appointment for you, while working to get you in at your preferred time.
Preventive dentistry is the best way to maintain the health and beauty of your teeth. You can keep your natural teeth for life by avoiding tooth decay and tooth wear. Tooth decay and trauma is not always avoidable and that’s when we call on reconstructive dentistry. With modern techniques, technologies, and materials, it’s now possible to do more with reconstructive dentistry. Virtually any damage to your smile can now be restored to give you beautiful, healthy, functional teeth.
Reconstructive dentistry sometimes is required after trauma to the mouth or teeth. Accidental trauma such as a car accident or a fall can cause tooth trauma. While a tooth that has sustained a minor chip can be repaired with dental bonding or porcelain veneers, more serious damage may require the structural support of a dental crown.
Sometimes when we cannot save your tooth, we will perform a tooth extraction. If you have lost one or more teeth, we can replace teeth with fully functional and highly attractive restorations. Dental implants fully restore the function of the lost tooth and have a natural look and feel. Dental bridges are also an option for tooth replacement.
Reconstructive Dentistry for Tooth Decay
A common reason patients need reconstructive dentistry is tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by oral bacteria, which eat sugars and other carbohydrates in the food we eat. These bacteria then form biofilms that cling to your teeth and excrete acid. The acid attacks your teeth, removing minerals from them and eventually creating small holes called cavities. Small cavities are typically treated with fillings. Currently, we use tooth-colored fillings to repair cavities. This may be a composite resin filling or a ceramic inlay or onlay depending on the location of the cavity, the size of the cavity, and your preferences.
As a cavity grows, or if new decay develops around an old filling, the tooth may lose structural integrity. When this occurs, we will replace or supplement fillings with a dental crown. A dental crown completely covers the visible surface of the tooth and can protect it from future decay to a great extent. If decay progresses too far before we manage to put a crown on, it can penetrate into the internal chamber of the tooth. When this occurs, your tooth will become infected.
As bacteria grow inside the tooth, it can cause terrible pain, and the infection can spread to your brain, heart, or lungs. Fortunately, we can remove the infection and restore the tooth to full function and beauty with root canal therapy. When this is done, the treated tooth may continue to be in your mouth for decades or more.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Full mouth reconstruction is an excellent course of action if you have experienced severe damage to multiple teeth, affecting most or even all your teeth. Dr. Wallace’s training and experience makes her an ideal dentist to perform both the health and cosmetic aspects of full mouth reconstruction.
In a full mouth reconstruction, the patient experiences her training in creating a balanced bite. For some patients, this will correct years of temporomandibular joint disorder which is the outcome of dysfunction in the jaw joint. Assuring the correct bite is also vital to airway-centric dentistry to assure that your airway is properly formed. For some patients, this will correct obstructive sleep apnea, which is the result of a malformed airway. These components, which assure balance and breath form the foundation of Dr. Wallace’s full mouth reconstruction process.
Dr. Wallace’s more than twenty years of experience as a cosmetic dentist allows her to complete the full mouth reconstruction with excellent aesthetics. The full mouth reconstruction is an involved process, but the results give patients full function and beauty back, which is a great reward. Full mouth reconstruction is frequently a major positive life change and, for some, a second chance at oral health and beauty.
Are you looking for a reconstructive dentist? Please call 843-524-7645 today for an appointment with Dr. Wallace in Beaufort, SC.
Reconstructive Dentistry for Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is probably the most common chronic illness we face in America. About 96% of all adults in the US have had a cavity.
Tooth decay is caused by oral bacteria, which eat sugars and other carbohydrates in the food we eat. These bacteria then form biofilms that cling to your teeth and excrete acid. The acid attacks your teeth, removing minerals from them and eventually creating small holes. This is what we call a cavity. Small cavities are typically treated with fillings. Currently, we use tooth-colored fillings to repair cavities. This may be a composite resin filling or a ceramic inlay or onlay.
As a cavity grows, or if new decay develops around an old filling, the tooth may lose structural integrity. When this occurs, we will replace or supplement fillings with a dental crown. A dental crown completely covers the visible surface of the tooth and can protect it from future decay to a great extent.
If decay progresses too far before we manage to put a crown on, it can penetrate into the internal chamber of the tooth. When this occurs, your tooth will become infected. As bacteria grow inside the tooth, it can cause terrible pain, and the infection can spread to your brain, heart, or lungs if it’s not treated soon enough. Fortunately, we can remove the infection and restore the tooth to full function and beauty with root canal therapy. When this is done, the treated tooth may continue to be in your mouth for decades or more.
Replacing Lost Teeth
Unfortunately, there are some times when we cannot save your tooth. In that case, we will perform a tooth extraction. If you have lost one or more teeth, you may think nothing can be done, but that’s not true. You can have your teeth replaced with fully functional and highly attractive restorations like a dental bridge or dental implants.
A dental bridge is good under some conditions, but, generally, dental implants are preferred as the most natural tooth replacements in appearance and function.
Tooth Trauma
Another reason why you might need reconstructive dentistry is tooth trauma. Tooth trauma can occur as a result of many different types of accidents–such as a fall or car accident–but it’s also commonly caused by violence.
Our teeth are strongest against vertical pressure–the up-and-down biting force that they deal with most of the time. They’re weaker against force from other directions. And they’re brittle, even though they’re strong, so they’re likely to fracture.
A tooth that has sustained a minor chip can be repaired with dental bonding or porcelain veneers. Teeth that have sustained more serious damage may require the structural support of a dental crown.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
So what do you do if you have experienced severe damage to multiple teeth, affecting most or even all of your teeth.
This is where a full mouth reconstruction shines. It’s an ideal solution that restores most or even all of your teeth to their original beauty and function. A full mouth reconstruction is commonly used to deal with the consequences of an imbalanced bite when people have conditions such as TMJ.
An imbalanced bite can subject teeth to uneven forces, which can cause them to grind down, chip, or crack more frequently. Not only do we need to restore the individual teeth: we need to reconstruct the healthy bite that you should have.
Are you looking for a reconstructive dentist in Beaufort County? Please call 843-524-7645 today for an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Wallace.
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