Dental crowns are a popular technique for cases that involve correcting a crooked smile or repairing broken and decayed teeth. Unlike veneers that only cover the front of a tooth, crowns are a full coverage restoration. There are different materials used: porcelain crowns for aesthetic cases; porcelain-fused-to-metal and full gold are indicated when additional protection is required. Dr. Dawn Kelly will provide a comprehensive assessment and make the restoration alternative, which will offer the best possible result.

Bridges are used to correct the issue of missing teeth, a dental bridge has both aesthetic and structural benefits, to include preventing remaining teeth from shifting. In addition, a bridge will help maintain balance of a patient's bite for improved eating, speaking and general functionality of the mouth. A careful evaluation will enable Dr. Kelly to determine if this is the right option.

In cases where a bridge is recommended, the procedure involves creating crowns for the adjacent teeth and bridging the space with a pontic (artificial tooth). In general, the bridge is made of ceramic or metal with the metal bridge covered with porcelain.

At Kelly Dental Art, Dr. Kelly uses the most advanced in porcelain veneers to effectively improve the color, size and shape of patients' teeth. Extremely thin and virtually translucent, veneers are designed to mirror real tooth enamel. This provides a realistic appearance with the least amount of shaving down of one's natural teeth.

For improving discoloration or fixing a chipped tooth, Kelly Dental Arts offers bonding, an easy and cost-effective cosmetic dental technique that can be done in one single visit. A tooth-colored composite resin is applied then shaped and polished to match the patient's surrounding teeth. Bonding is also a viable option for elongating or closing open spaces between teeth.

Kelly Dental Arts is skilled in performing dental implant procedures for the restoration of missing teeth and creating a naturally beautiful and functional smile. Such implants are also used to correct loose or ill-fitting dentures.

The first step is a comprehensive evaluation of a patient's jawbone. If dental implants are a viable option the procedure involves placing a titanium device within the bone to replace the root of one's natural tooth, an artificial tooth is attached to it. In certain cases, Dr. Dawn will work side-by-side a specialist for the surgical placement of implants.

In cases where a patient's natural teeth are missing, conventional or immediate dentures may be the recommended treatment offered by the Kelly Dental Arts team. The process of healing and fitting is key factor in determining if the removable replacement is made once teeth have been removed and gums are healed (conventional) or immediately following the teeth removal (immediate). Dr. Kelly will evaluate the inherent advantages and disadvantages before making their professional recommendation.

The chair-side exam and digital images often reveal signs of dental decay or fractured teeth. In such cases, Dr. Dawn evaluates the extent of the loss of tooth structure and one's medical history. The optimum treatment plan may involve removal of decay and placement of composite restorations to match the exact color of the tooth, making the final product virtually invisible.

Recommended for patients with severe decay and infection, root canal is the removal of nerve tissue and the tooth's pulp chamber to clean, shape and decontaminate the infected area. This procedure, which may require one or multiple visits, is often result of trauma but may also be preventative. In either case, the goal is to repair and save the badly decayed tooth so as to avoid resulting dental and health issues.

Cases involving patients with extreme tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease may require the extraction of one or more teeth. Such removals may also be recommended if root canal therapy is not a viable option, out-of-place teeth are causing significant pain or future dental health issues may result. The team at Kelly Dental Arts will also perform extractions as a part of orthodontic treatment.

Since removing teeth may result in future complications that result in more dental treatment, Dr. Kelly explores all alternatives prior to recommending extractions.