Restorative Dentistry
Portland, Oregon
fillings | implants | crowns | root canals | appliances | extractions
fillings
Fillings are necessary when a tooth has decay that needs to be removed. Once local anesthetic is applied and the decayed portion of the tooth is removed, Dr. Michelle will thoroughly clean the tooth and fill it to keep it's integrity. Materials for fillings range from silver amalgam to gold, and composite resins that can color-match your existing tooth. Teeth with decay can be painful, but also can be painless and therefore go undetected - This is why routine exams and x-rays are critical to catching oral issues early on.
While several materials exist for fillings, Northwoods Dental exclusively offers composite resins. Not only do composite resins aesthetically color-match the shade of your existing tooth, it's a material that securely bonds to the tooth's surface and provides increased structural integrity to help prevent further damage.
dental implants
Dental implants are one of the best restoration options available when it comes to replacing a tooth. This modern day technology fuses a titanium implant (pictured) into the jaw bone, providing long-lasting structure and support for a custom made crown fixed to the top. Implants don't require any special care and can be treated the same as your natural teeth. An individual with proper oral hygiene habits can expect an implant to last 25 or more years. In addition, implants help to keep the jaw bone stronger and with less overall loss compared to removed teeth with no form of replacement.
Implant-retained dentures are similar to traditional dentures, but instead of being removable, they attach to a set of 4-6 implants. This provides for a secure fit with a natural look and feel, and less maintenance. Like traditional dentures, they can be placed on the upper, lower, or both sets of teeth.
same day crowns
Northwoods Dental offers today's latest in crown design and milling technology. In the past, getting a new crown would take multiple office visits over the course of several days or even weeks. Thankfully, technology is evolving and Dr. Michelle Falbo keeps up with the latest developments in patient care.
All in one appointment, we'll be able to scan, design, and mill your crown while you rest comfortably. The crown will be placed and any adjustments can be made to ensure you have the perfect fit and feel.
root canals + pulpotomies
A root canal procedure is a simple and effective way to relieve pain from a toothache. Pain is most often a symptom of tooth decay or infection and should be treated immediately to avoid a worse situation in the future.
Even with today's modern technology and dental materials, there is no better substitute than your natural teeth. This procedure preserves your tooth by removing any decayed enamel and infected pulp, the area is then disinfected before being filled to restore the tooth's integrity and longevity. Depending on the level of infection, the tooth will need either a filling or a crown to complete the procedure.
Think of a pulpotomy like the traditional root canal's younger sibling. This procedure is identical to a regular root canal, but does not remove as much interior pulp as the level of infection is low and hasn't spread throughout. Pulpotomies are more common among younger patients with baby teeth, but this procedure can be appropriate for adults as well.
dental appliances
Dentures: Dr. Michelle is happy to offer full or partial dentures to complete your smile. Whether you're missing all or just some of your teeth, dentures restore the body's gateway to healthy and necessary nutrition. Dentures are a fantastic product as they give you the ability to chew and talk like normal, and also restore the confidence in your beautiful smile. These products can be removable or semi-permanent, contact us today to discuss your options!
Bridges: Bridges are a great option when it comes to filling in, or "bridging", the gap of where one or a couple teeth used to be. Artificial teeth are fixed to the surrounding natural teeth for support and function. Bridges can be made to be removable or fixed with dental implants.
Night Guards: Grinding and clenching your teeth can lead to more serious and complicated issues in the future. Night guards are custom made and fit to your teeth to prevent grinding and clenching while you sleep at night. This helps prevent the erosion of the cavity-fighting enamel on your teeth's chewing surfaces. Night guards can also help some patients that suffer from TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorders caused by grinding and clenching.
Sleep Apnea Devices: Sleep apnea is caused by airway blockage from soft tissue in the mouth and throat that create irregular breathing patterns when sleeping. Most often, those affected suffer from loud snoring and feeling tired even after a full night of sleep. The body wakes up several times per night due to lack of oxygen, thus preventing continual sleep and causing chronic exhaustion. Being more common in overweight patients, weight loss is highly recommended to help keep airways open. In more major cases, the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine may be necessary.
The solution offered at Northwoods Dental is a small mouthguard-like device that fits comfortably in the mouth while you sleep. The design keeps your oral muscles from collapsing into your airway while you sleep, drastically reducing snoring while increasing the level of oxygen your body gets - keeping you sound asleep.
dental extractions
We get it - no one likes to get a tooth pulled. That's why the friendly and experienced staff at Northwoods Dental is expertly trained with your comfort as top priority. Our painless procedures make the process easy and stress-free so you spend less time in the chair and more time enjoying life.
Call us today to talk about your options and schedule an appointment!
Contact Info
Location
3505 SE 36th Avenue
Portland, OR 97202
Contact
(503) 235-7181 - Call or Text
Open Hours
Mon: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Tue: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Wed: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Thu: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Fri-Sun: CLOSED