Dental Implants

At Southern Cross Dental our doctors replace teeth and restore patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown will be screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about dental implants and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Restorative Dental Services

When our doctors at Southern Cross Dental use the term “restorative dentistry,” he or she is referring to the integrated management of oral health problems and restoring the mouth to a functional and esthetic state. Restorative dental procedures may include replacing missing teeth with dental bridges, tooth bonding, crowns, or dentures. The goal of these procedures is to preserve the natural teeth as much as possible.

Once our doctors diagnose your dental condition, they will discuss treatment options with you in detail. If you have missing teeth, dental implants and bridges work best to resemble natural teeth and restore them to their natural function. A dental crown can protect a tooth if dental bonding isn’t strong enough to withstand chewing forces. Restorative dental services as well as cosmetic, have similar properties, both aesthetically fix the problem and revive the tooth back to life.  

If you wish to learn more about restorative dental services, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is an excellent way to repair teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or broken, and restore them back to their natural function. Dental bonding is a procedure in which one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental will place a tooth-colored resin material to an impaired tooth, and harden the material with a special light. This procedure only takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete and is a cost-efficient way to enhance one’s smile.

Dental bonding is additionally used to improve the appearance of discolored teeth, to close gaps between teeth, and as a cosmetic alternative to amalgam (silver) fillings. Dental bonding has cosmetic properties but is also used to restore and protect teeth from further damage. There is little to no preparation needed for a dental bonding appointment and anesthesia is often unnecessary. If you have teeth that could use a little enhancement, explore your options, today.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bonding, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

The Purpose of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used as part of the tooth restoration process from teeth that have been decayed or cracked. Dental crowns, also known as caps, help preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. Dental crowns come in a wide variety of materials and can help improve aesthetics in addition to functionality. Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can discuss any questions or concerns regarding the dental crown process.

There are several materials that our doctor may suggest, such as porcelain and ceramic.  A crown can help strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining to hold a filling. Crowns can also be used to attach dental bridges when those are needed. Additionally, a crown can protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped.

If you wish to discuss dental crowns, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Dental Implant Restoration

Teeth can be missing for a variety of reasons whether it is dental trauma, decay, or tooth extraction. Dental implants are a safe and excellent ways to restore a person’s smile because they look and function like a natural tooth. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots that can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth. If you are considering dental implants, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental to have all of your questions answered.

A dental implant is a titanium post that acts as a tooth root and is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line. If a person is considering implants, they must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. Once the implant procedure is complete, it’s critical to practice proper oral hygiene habits to keep them healthy. Dental implants should be treated as if they are your natural teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implants or restorative dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Dental Crown Procedure

Dental Crown Procedure

Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental usually recommend dental crowns to patients who have large fillings, broken teeth or cracked teeth. A dental crown is a fixed prosthetic device that is cemented onto existing teeth or implants. The purpose a dental crown serves is to strengthen a particularly weak tooth that needs to be held together or requires a dental bridge, or to enhance the appearance of a tooth if it is extremely discolored.  If you’ve been told you need a dental crown, allow us to explain how the procedure works to prepare you for your appointment.

The procedure for installing a dental crown is usually completed in two separate visits to the office. During your first appointment, one of our doctors will examine the tooth in question to guarantee that it will support a dental crown. Once this is confirmed, the doctor will begin preparing the tooth for the crown. You will then be fitted for a temporary crown while your permanent one is constructed in a dental lab. Once your permanent crown is ready, you will have your second appointment where it will be placed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental crowns, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Consequences of Missing Teeth

Although tooth loss is typically associated with the elderly, missing teeth can occur in adults for a variety of reasons. Whether you’ve lost a tooth to decay, or injury, tooth loss can rob you of much more than the ability to chew and properly digest food. It can have serious social, psychological and emotional consequences as well. At Southern Cross Dental, we don’t want you to experience the consequences of a toothless grin. This is why we offer a wide variety of restorative and cosmetic options to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

The most obvious effect of missing teeth is aesthetic. When a tooth is lost, the facial muscles begin to sag, making you appear older than you are. Additionally, missing teeth will make it more difficult to chew and may even affect the way you speak. The more teeth a person is missing, the more challenging the task to replace them can become. It can also be costly. It is important to have regular dental visits with us to prolong the life of your teeth.  

If you have missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.