General Services and Cosmetic Dentistry

Tooth Fillings & Cosmetic Bonding | Amalgam Fillings | Porcelain Veneers | Crowns | Bridges
Dental Implants | Dentures & Partial Dentures | Root Canal Therapy | Oral Surgery
Smile Makeovers & Full Mouth Reconstruction | Athletic Mouth Guards | Preventative Dentistry

Tooth Colored Fillings and Cosmetic Bonding

Many times a tooth colored material, known as composite resin, is used as a restorative material. These fillings, as well as cosmetic bonding, are placed for a variety of reasons and can be utilized in areas such as:

• tooth decay
• chipped, fractured or cracked teeth
• gaps or spaces between teeth
• color improvement
• contour enhancement

Composite fillings and cosmetic bonding usually take just one appointment. After appropriate anesthesia, if necessary, your dentist will remove decay or prepare the tooth as necessary. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. The composite filling will then be precisely placed, shaped and polished, restoring your tooth to its optimum shape and function. Usually it is possible to match the shade of composite so closely to your natural tooth color that in casual settings, the bonded restoration is not even noticeable to the eye. As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not entirely permanent and may someday have to be replaced. However, they are very durable and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

Good, everyday, oral hygiene practices, eating habits, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings will aid in the life of your new dental work. There are several types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You will have every opportunity to discuss with the doctor the best options for restoring your teeth or improving your smile.

Ask Dr. McLarty if cosmetic bonding is an option for you.

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Amalgam Fillings

An amalgam filling, often referred to as a silver filling, has been a safe, effective, and cost conscious restoration for many years. A silver amalgam filling is typically used to repair a posterior (back) tooth due to its excellent strength and longevity. They can be used to restore teeth that are affected by decay, cracks and fractures.

Like composite restorations, amalgam fillings are placed immediately after tooth preparation and usually take one appointment to complete. After appropriate anesthesia, if necessary, the decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a silver filling. As with most dental restorations, amalgam fillings are not entirely permanent and may someday have to be replaced. However, they are typically very durable, and can last many, many years.

Dr. McLarty prides himself on providing each patient the time to explain his or her treatment needs. You will have every opportunity to discuss with the doctor the best options for restoring your teeth or improving your smile.

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Porcelain Veneers: An easy way to transform your smile

These porcelain laminate restorations can completely reshape your teeth and smile and often improve the patient’s confidence and personality. They truly are dental magic! Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. Modern porcelains of today are stronger, wear better and have a beautiful, more natural appearance than ever before. They are bonded onto the front of the teeth to create an attractive smile. They can often be conservative alternatives to full crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions such as:

• Crooked teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Severely discolored or stained teeth
• Teeth that are too small or large
• Unwanted or uneven spaces
• Worn or chipped teeth

However, every patient isn’t a good candidate for porcelain laminate veneer restoration. You will need to consult with Dr. McLarty to find out if porcelain veneers are the best solution for you. If not, don’t worry, most likely another practical alternative will be.

The process of veneering your teeth usually requires two visits to complete the process, with little or no anesthesia required during the procedure. The doctor carefully prepares the teeth by lightly reshaping the surfaces to allow for the thickness of the veneer. An impression of the teeth is taken and a shade (color) will then be chosen by you and the dentist. On your return visit, the teeth will be carefully cleaned to achieve a durable bond. After the veneers and teeth have been prepared for bonding together, bonding cement is placed between the tooth and veneer and carefully set with a curing light. As with most dental restorations, veneers are susceptible to everyday wear and may someday have to be replaced. They are typically very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

In all cases, meticulous oral hygiene, including proper brushing, flossing, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings will aid in the life of your new veneers.

Dr. McLarty will be more than happy to spend time with you, reviewing your records and developing a proper treatment plan, to review the process of your smile makeover. Call the office today to schedule your consultation!

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Crowns

A crown, often referred to as a “cap”, is a restoration that covers all the surface area around the tooth. By doing this, the crown restores the tooth to its original shape and size. Crowns often protect and strengthen the remaining tooth structure that cannot be restored with a filling or other types of restorations. A crown may be needed due to problems such as:

• Broken or Fractured Teeth
• Extensively Decayed Teeth
• Fractured or Compromised Fillings
• Prior Root Canal
• Poor Esthetics

  

Crowns can be made from all porcelain, porcelain/precious metal combination or traditional, yellow gold. For most situations, porcelain crowns with a strong, precious metal base are chosen most often due to their good strength and esthetic value. In very high esthetic demand areas, like front teeth, all porcelain crowns are often recommended to provide the highest level of esthetics and beauty for the most natural available. Traditional, yellow gold crowns are sometimes selected for back, chewing teeth, where strength and longevity is of utmost importance. Whichever crown type is best for you, most likely it will serve you well and last for many years. But like most dental restorations, they cannot be expected to last forever and may eventually need to be replaced.

What is the crown procedure like?

For most people, getting a crown will take a minimum of two appointments. During the first appointment and after appropriate anesthesia, an impression of your teeth will be taken to help create a provisional crown which will stay on your tooth until the final crown is fabricated by a professional dental laboratory.

Dr. McLarty will carefully prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the tooth for optimum crown fit, retention and contour. A provisional crown will be fabricated and a final impression will be taken of the prepared tooth for submission to the laboratory. The provisional crown will then be placed with temporary cement and checked to ensure you are biting properly.

Typically, at the next appointment, your provisional crown will be removed and your new crown will be pre-fit to ensure accurate spacing and bite. Occasionally, some adjustments are required. Final cementation the crown is next and afterwards, a careful cleanup is performed.

Your new crown is ready for you to enjoy!

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Bridges

A bridge, also know as a fixed partial denture, is sometimes recommended for areas to replace missing teeth. One of the best features of a bridge is that they are fixed (cemented) in place and do not require the patient to remove it. They have been a common restoration type for years in dentistry and have an excellent track record for success. A bridge can offer excellent function and esthetic improvements and greatly enhance your smile.

The most common bridge designs involve preparing the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth area much like a crown. These teeth then support a prosthetic tooth across the open space just like a bridge spans a gorge or river. Like crowns, a bridge can be made from a porcelain/precious metal combination, as well as yellow gold materials. Although a bridge may be one option for patients with missing teeth, not everyone is a candidate for this type of restoration. Dr. McLarty will carefully review your case, discuss any of your concerns and determine if a bridge is a good restorative option for you.

What is the bridge procedure like?

Quite simply, it is very similar to the crown appointment. For most people, a bridge will take a minimum of two appointments. During the initial appointment and after appropriate anesthesia, an impression of your teeth will be taken. This impression will be used to help create a provisional bridge which will be fitted to your teeth until the final bridge is fabricated by in professional dental laboratory.

Dr. McLarty will carefully prepare the teeth involved by removing any decay and shaping the tooth for optimum fit, retention and contour. Next, the provisional bridge will be fabricated and a final impression will be taken of the prepared tooth surfaces for submission to the laboratory. The provisional bridge is then placed with temporary cement and checked to ensure you are biting properly.

At the next appointment, your provisional bridge will be removed and the final bridge prosthesis will be pre-fit to ensure accurate spacing and bite. Occasionally, some adjustments are required. When everything is acceptable, the bridge is cemented into place and a careful cleanup is performed.

With proper daily hygiene, regular check-ups and routine professional cleanings, your new bridge will serve you well and last for many years. But like most dental restorations, they cannot be expected to last forever and may eventually need to be replaced.


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Restoration of Dental Implants

Dental implants have certainly changed modern dentistry and are an invaluable option for many patients. They have opened new doors to conservative treatment options and can vastly improve the lives of patients with missing dentition. Dr. McLarty has a great working relationship with other doctors in the Lubbock area with whom he refers patients in need of implant surgery. These professionals not only offer excellent care with implant placement, but also soft and hard tissue grafting and recontouring for optimum esthetic and functional results.

Dr. McLarty has restored many cases using implant technology with crown, bridge and denture restorations and prosthetics. He will listen carefully to you treatment goals and with careful examination, determine if an implant restoration or an implant retained denture is right for you.

Just contact the office for a comprehensive evaluation!

Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures and partial dentures are removable prosthetics worn to replace missing teeth, restore your ability to chew foods and give you back your smile. They are supported by the surrounding soft tissues, the remaining teeth in the mouth, and even implants. Although many patients find their new partial or dentures to help them tremendously, they are not for everybody. In those cases, a fixed (non-removable) solution using bridge or implant dentistry is preferred. After careful examination, Dr. McLarty can offer a plan that is right for you and will be happy to discuss your options thoroughly.

After deciding on what option is best for you, Dr. McLarty will discuss all the steps necessary in the process of having your denture or partial denture made. You will never be left in the dark, wondering what’s left to come. The denture building process can be a lengthy road with several appointments, using the services of a professional dental laboratory and never cutting on quality. Rest assured, the doctor will work with you patiently to make sure that you are comfortable with your new partial or denture.

Root Canal Therapy

Endodontic therapy, commonly called a “root canal” is used to describe a treatment performed in an effort to save a tooth for restoration, instead of removing it. Although most root canal cases involve a tooth that is hurting or uncomfortable, this isn’t always the case. Still, the tooth may be in some compromised state and is not a candidate for further restoration until treated with root canal therapy. A tooth may need root canal therapy due to problems such as:

• Broken or Fractured Tooth
• Extensively Decayed Teeth
• Prior Root Canal “Failure”
• Blunt Trauma to the Tooth
• Abscessed (Infected) Tooth
• Severe Hypersensitivity
• Other Prosthetic Needs

By far, the most common need for root canal therapy stems from an infected tooth pulp, the center of the tooth that contains the blood vessels and nerve endings. If an infected tooth is left untreated, an abscess may develop. An abscess is an infection within the surrounding, supportive tissues and can be quite agonizing. Advanced abscesses can create painful swelling within areas of the jaw, cheek, neck or face. Left untreated, these limit your choice of options to tooth removal, are very dangerous and can lead to hospitalization and even death. Don’t put off or delay treatment! These are conditions you just don’t want to mess around with. No excuses!

What is the root canal procedure like?

For most cases of tooth infection or abscess, root canal therapy is treated in two appointments. During the first appointment and after profound anesthesia, a dental dam is placed over the teeth in the area of the affected tooth. The dam serves to protect your throat from small instruments, isolate the teeth from moisture and irrigating fluids and provide a great operatory field for an easier procedure. After removing decay and exposing the infected pulp, the canals are measured and then the pulp tissue and bacterial debris are removed. Next, the inside of the canal is shaped and cleaned. A temporary paste is placed within the canals and the tooth sealed for next appointment’s completion. On the following visit, once the doctor has determined you are symptom free and the tooth is ready for completion, the root canal treatment can be finished. The canals are cleaned and sealed and the inner portion of the tooth is restored back up to shape. At this point, an appointment to restore the tooth with a definitive restoration can be scheduled. Many times, especially with back teeth that do a lot of the chewing, a crown is necessary to protect the root canal and remaining tooth from fracture. In some cases, root canal therapy can be started and completed on the same appointment. Unfortunately, as with all dental procedures, treatment failure is possible and your tooth may not respond positively to root canal therapy. In all cases, Dr. McLarty will review your condition and thoroughly present the treatment prognosis and his treatment recommendations.

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Oral Surgery

Sometimes, despite all our best efforts to preserve our teeth or our worst efforts to neglect and mistreat them, the removal of teeth is necessary. Extractions, or the removal of a tooth, are needed for a variety of reasons, including:

• Broken or Fractured Tooth
• Extensively Decayed Teeth
• Prior Root Canal “Failure”
• Blunt Trauma to the Tooth
• Advanced Periodontal (Gum) Disease
• Creation of Space (Orthodontics or Wisdom Teeth)
• Inability to Access and Treat Areas
• Recurrent Hard or Soft Tissue Problems
• Other Prosthetic Needs

Dr. McLarty will need to take the necessary x-rays to fully diagnose your condition and determine the level of difficulty of the proposed extraction. In most cases, the removal procedure can be treated in-office, without referral, using profound local anesthesia. It is very important NOT to discontinue or modify ANY prescription drug regimens you may be taking prior to consulting with your dentist or physician. Extraction of teeth is a surgical procedure and you should divulge an accurate and complete medical history prior to the extraction procedure.

The doctor and assistant will thoroughly review specific post operative instructions with you following your procedure and you will be given an opportunity to ask any questions about what to expect that you may have.

If you are a candidate for referral to a qualified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, our office will be happy to forward your radiographs and help you obtain a consult appointment.

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Smile Makeovers and Full Mouth Reconstruction

Are you embarrassed to smile? Is your personality different because you lack confidence in public? Do you cover your mouth with your hand when you laugh?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you’re READY for a smile makeover! Simply put, it WILL change your life! For those of us in the dental business, it’s also the most rewarding work we do for people. It’s heartwarming and so enjoyable to have the privilege to help people in such a powerful way. Dr. McLarty can help you determine the best way to reach your goal.

A smile makeover is a series of procedures, some elective, some possibly non-elective, to improve a person’s smile. It can range from a single procedure to a combination of several procedures such as veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants, orthodontics, and more. Dr. McLarty will evaluate many aspects during a smile makeover including:

• Tooth Alignment
• Spacing
• Tooth Size and Shape
• Overall Color and Characterization
• Overall Harmony
• Gingival (Gum) Display
• Balance

During your consultation, Dr. McLarty will listen to your concerns and develop the best custom treatment plan for you. As with most everything we do, the longevity of your cosmetic dental work can vary, depending on your lifestyle habits. For some people, teeth whitening will need a touch-up from time to time, and veneers can chip from biting on a fork. However, in all cases, meticulous oral hygiene, including proper brushing, flossing, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings will aid in the life of your new smile.

Full mouth reconstruction involves a detailed, comprehensive approach to restoring your mouth back to proper function and esthetics. There are often several different options that patients can choose to achieve their goals. For more extensive case that may be more expensive, it is often possible to break up the required work into phases over longer spans of time.

Call for a comprehensive evaluation and get started on a brand new you!

Athletic Mouth Guards

Dr. McLarty can appreciate your love for sports. It is important, however, that you always protect your teeth whenever you participate in sports by wearing an athletic mouth guard. Current studies show that 45% of sports related injuries occur to the head and face area. Even if you are going through orthodontic treatment and wearing dental appliances or full braces, you should still wear a mouth guard while playing sports with any potential for traumatic mouth injury.

You might ask, “Why should I have my dentist make me a custom mouth guard?” A custom mouth guard will offer better protection for your teeth, lips and tongue compared to a “boil and bite” design. Dr. McLarty will take an accurate dental impression and a professional dental laboratory will fabricate your custom fit mouth guard. The final product will offer the ultimate in fit, comfort and durability, while minimizing airway obstruction; far and away the best alternative out there.

Your new mouth guard can be fabricated from a selection of several different weights and thicknesses depending on your expected level of contact. You will also have the selection of a clear material or several team colors, including multi-color designs. Want your name on it and a hard protective carry case? No problem there, it’s included!

Call our office today and play your best game with a custom fitted mouth guard!


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