GENERAL DENTISTRY IN FRAMINGHAM
Our comfortable office environment allows you to relax as we take care of your dental needs. Whether you simply need a crown or want to enhance your smile with Cosmetic Dentistry, we are here to take care of you! Metrowest Prosthodontics offers a wide range of dental services including:
During an oral examination, a visual inspection is performed to detect normal and abnormal structures of the entire mouth, head and neck. Along with radiographs, an examination detects cavities, abnormalities in existing dental restorations, gum and bone recession and any other abnormal findings within the mouth, head and neck.
A dental cleaning, also known as an oral prophylaxis, is the removal of dental plaque and tartar (calculus) from the teeth. Specialized instruments are used to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth. First, an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water is used to loosen larger pieces of tartar. Next, hand tools are used to manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the tooth surfaces. Once all the tooth surfaces have been cleaned of tartar and plaque, the teeth are polished.
Dental sealants are made of a safe resin material which is applied to the surfaces of teeth (commonly permanent molars) to prevent cavities. The sealant material fills in the crevices of a tooth and “seals” off the tooth from cavity-causing agents like food and plaque. The teeth are prepared for the sealant application and the sealant is painted directly onto the chewing surface of each tooth and then hardens. Sealants are applied in one visit.
Fluoride is a natural substance that helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Fluoride treatments are administered at this office as an important component of pediatric dental treatment. The fluoride is applied to the teeth in a gel, foam, or varnish form.
Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is often an effective alternative to CPAP for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. With this approach, our office creates a custom-fitted oral appliance for patients to wear when they are sleeping. The appliance aids patients during sleep by positioning the lower jaw and tongue in a way that minimizes airway obstruction.
Root canals are most often necessary when decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. When root canal therapy is performed, infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth chamber. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned and disinfected before filling and sealing to limit the possibility of future infection. Soon after the root canal is performed, the tooth is restored with a buildup and dental crown or filling to protect the tooth and restore normal tooth function. Learn more about root canal treatment.
Invisalign® is a virtually invisible hygienic treatment which uses an innovative approach to effectively incrementally straighten your teeth. The treatment uses a series of custom-made aligners made of clear plastic that fit over your teeth to gradually move them into ideal position.
A tooth that can not be saved with restorative materials may need to be removed. Before removing your tooth, the area will be numbed with anesthesia. The tooth is then loosened using a special dental instrument known as an elevator. After it is loosened from the socket, it is gently removed by a forcep, a dental instrument commonly used in dental extractions. Stitches may be necessary after the removal of a tooth.
BOTOX® is a purified neurotoxin used in therapeutic and cosmetic treatments for patients suffering with TMJ issues, jaw pain, and grinding. BOTOX® is a non-surgical procedure performed to alleviate muscle tension in these areas. Cosmetically the material is used to reduce lines on the forehead between the eyebrows and crow feet area. Treatment lasts about 4 months.
Dermal Fillers use a smooth gel to instantly smooth away wrinkles around your mouth and nose. With just one treatment, you’ll get smooth and natural-looking results that can last up to a year.
Composite fillings are tooth-colored restorative material. After being applied to the tooth the material is hardened with a curing light. Composite fillings give a more natural appearance to the tooth and because of the bonding capabilities they give added strength to the tooth.
For larger cavities or a tooth with decay in more than one area, an inlay or onlay may be the best restorative solution. The difference between an inlay and an onlay is the area of the tooth anatomy being restored. Inlays apply to cavities in the grooves, or pits and fissures, of the tooth’s biting surface. Onlays are used when the decay includes the tooth cusps. Both are used to restore areas where tooth decay is present and the tooth structure has been compromised.
Inlays and onlays can be made with either cast gold alloy or with tooth-colored ceramic or porcelain materials. A model of the patient’s natural tooth is made prior to any procedure so that the restoration can be made to replicate the shape and function of the natural tooth.
The shape and fit of the restoration can be verified before being cemented or bonded into place, and the inlay or onlay can be extremely durable.
Crowns are full coverage restorations that reinforce a tooth that has become compromised by fracture or decay. The first visit is to prepare the tooth, and the second is to insert the final restoration. Learn more about dental crowns.
A bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Unlike removable devices such as dentures which you take out daily, bridges are permanently cemented to adjacent existing teeth with a pontic (artificial tooth) replacing the missing tooth/teeth. A bridge can only be removed by a dentist. Learn more about dental bridges.
A dental Implant is a titanium (biocompatible) component placed in the bone of the jaw to act as the root replacement and provide permanent support for the final crown or bridge.
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. Removeable Partial Dentures are made only when a few teeth need to be replaced. The removable partial denture either attaches to crowns on either side of the denture or to a metal framework that is attached to the teeth on both sides of the partial denture. Partial dentures can be removable or they can be anchored in place by attaching them to dental implants. Removable partial dentures can be supported in place by attaching them to dental implants when wearing them during the day. Learn more about dentures.
Veneers are thin layers of porcelain bonded to your teeth to cosmetically enhance the esthetics of your teeth. Minimal tooth structure is removed and the veneer is bonded to your tooth with strong resin cement. This procedure generally takes two visits. Learn more about veneers.
Whitening, also known as bleaching, is the procedure used to brighten teeth. Whitening requires an impression of the teeth to be taken to make customized whitening gel, containing, carbide peroxide, against the teeth. Once the trays are made, it is worn for a designated period of time, as instructed by our office. Learn more about teeth whitening.
Cosmetic bonding is the process of filling or restoring teeth with a tooth-colored material in order to improve a tooth’s appearance. In order to bond a tooth, composite material is added to the tooth structure to adjust the size, shape, or color of the existing tooth.
Laser treatments are minimally invasive ways to reshape tissue, eliminate pockets of infected gum tissue, remove soft tissue lesions and treat aphthous ulcers (cankersores) by shortening the duration and intensity of the lesion. Learn more about laser dentistry.
At our full service dental practice in Framingham, we provide comprehensive dental services to protect and enhance your oral health at every stage of life. From your routine professional dental cleaning to restorative solutions that replace missing teeth, our skilled dental team is committed to delivering exceptional dental care in a welcoming dental office. Every dental visit is focused on helping you maintain a healthy smile for years to come.
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