Restorative Dentistry Services

In order for us to place crowns, you must schedule at least two office visits. At your first visit, we will prepare the remaining tooth structure for the crown by removing the decay, reshaping the tooth, and taking an impression to send to our lab. During this visit, a temporary crown will be fitted until the permanent is ready to be placed in the mouth. Finally, our lab will construct the permanent crown, which will be placed and bonded during the second appointment.

Cavities are one of the most common dental problems discovered during a visit. We use dental fillings to treat cavities and other minor damage to the chewing surface of the tooth. At Lockhart Dental, we use composite filling material. Composite (in lieu of the older amalgam fillings, which were made of mercury and copper) works extremely well in repairing a decayed or broken tooth.

Thanks to the tooth-colored resin material it is made out of, composite provides the most natural match to your teeth. Composites are bonded to the teeth, require minimal tooth preparation, and provide improved aesthetics from older filling materials like amalgam.

The process of filling cavities is quite simple. We begin the procedure by numbing the area around the affected tooth with local anesthesia. Next, we remove the decay with a dental drill or laser and clean the entire area to remove any lingering bacteria. Keeping the tooth surface dry, we apply and bond the filling material. Typically, a special bonding light is used to ensure the material is permanently bonded. With the right care, your filling can last up to a decade or longer.

Traditionally, dentures are created in the dental lab. They’re positioned immediately after all teeth have been removed from the mouth and healing has completed. An upper denture is fitted and covers the roof of the mouth for adequate retention. A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe and allows space for the patient’s tongue to move freely.

Dentures can be made to attach to dental implants as well. Over time, dentures will wear and need to be realigned or replaced in order to keep the jaw alignment comfortable. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and tissues shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Patients must keep up with regular dental visits so we can check for shifts or necessary adjustments. We also recommend denture patients have an oral cancer exam at least once a year.

This procedure takes about six to eight months to complete. Healing from the initial procedure (in which the posts are anchored in either the upper or lower jaw) takes roughly three to six months. With the help of a custom mold of your mouth, replacement teeth will be made and eventually affixed to the posts. Most patients recover easily from the surgical procedure and experience little to no downtime from their regular activities. Implants can be used as a stand-alone solution or in conjunction with bridges or dentures.

Unsure if you’re a good candidate for implants? Schedule an appointment and we’ll conduct an exam to assess your candidacy. We’ll review your health history, radiographs of your teeth and jaw, and individual concerns in order to provide the best treatment plan for you.

Sealants only take a few minutes to apply and require no anesthesia. During your visit, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and dried. Next, an acid solution is applied to roughen up the surfaces of the teeth so that the sealant can better adhere. The sealant is then painted directly onto the enamel, where it dries and hardens, forming a protective shield around each tooth.

We highly recommend sealants as an excellent preventative measure for young children and adolescents. In order to better protect the teeth through the cavity-prone teenage years, the sealants should be applied immediately after molars and premolars come in. Additionally, we recommend sealants for adults without any tooth decay or fillings.

Conscious sedation makes dental procedures more comfortable for the patient. With this kind of sedation, the patient is still able to respond to spoken directions and maintain a higher level of cognizance. Conscious sedation is used during procedures that require the dental patient to be responsive, for inconsequential procedures that do not necessitate the use of broad anesthesia, and for minor procedures with patients who are especially nervous.

Like with any form of anesthesia, there are some risks associated but conscious sedation is exceedingly less risky than most general anesthesia. Dr. Lockhart uses both oral sedatives and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Once inhaled, the gas slows down the body’s reaction time and acts as a mild sedative, which provides pain relief and creates feelings of calm euphoria.

During or ahead of your visit, we can discuss whether conscious sedation is the right choice for you and answer any questions you may have about it.

In order for us to place crowns, you must schedule at least two office visits. At your first visit, we will prepare the remaining tooth structure for the crown by removing the decay, reshaping the tooth, and taking an impression to send to our lab. During this visit, a temporary crown will be fitted until the permanent is ready to be placed in the mouth. Finally, our lab will construct the permanent crown, which will be placed and bonded during the second appointment.

We also offer a secondary bridge option called the Maryland Bridge, which uses two wings to attach the pontic to the abutment teeth by bonding the wings to the back of the abutment teeth. This is a less invasive option to replace a tooth. Depending on the severity of the issue, bridges are occasionally used in conjunction with dental implants. Dr. Lockhart and her team will assess your situation and help you determine the best treatment plan for your smile.

Thanks to the tooth-colored resin material it is made out of, composite provides the most natural match to your teeth. Composites are bonded to the teeth, require minimal tooth preparation, and provide improved aesthetics from older filling materials like amalgam.

The process of filling cavities is quite simple. We begin the procedure by numbing the area around the affected tooth with local anesthesia. Next, we remove the decay with a dental drill or laser and clean the entire area to remove any lingering bacteria. Keeping the tooth surface dry, we apply and bond the filling material. Typically, a special bonding light is used to ensure the material is permanently bonded. With the right care, your filling can last up to a decade or longer.

These symptoms can stem from the way your upper and lower teeth come together into your bite. Your occlusal (bite), joint, and neuromuscular systems must work in harmony. Otherwise, you are at risk of developing headaches and temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ disease). At rest, your TMJ wants to be in a certain position, but your bite may “pull” the mandible out of position. This puts tension on your chewing muscle, ligaments, and the disk in your joint. Your body’s attempts to correct the problem, typically via grinding or clenching your teeth, often worsen the issue. In addition to causing discomfort, interferences between your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and your occlusion can derail the success of dental procedures.

Dr. Lockhart is especially qualified to deal with these issues and has undergone training through the Dawson Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida. A common treatment for occlusal disease is the use of a nightguard, which is similar to an orthodontic retainer. Nightguards are removable and fit over the top or bottom teeth. They are typically worn at night to hold the bite in a specific therapeutic position. The nightguard also protects your teeth from wearing down due to grinding during sleep. Dr. Lockhart’s occlusal analysis will reveal if any additional treatments or adjustments are needed. Botox can also be used in conjunction with traditional occlusal therapy to relieve muscle pain and tension from clenching. Get in touch with us if you’re having any of these issues and we’ll set up an appointment for further analysis and treatment.

Traditionally, dentures are created in the dental lab. They’re positioned immediately after all teeth have been removed from the mouth and healing has completed. An upper denture is fitted and covers the roof of the mouth for adequate retention. A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe and allows space for the patient’s tongue to move freely.

Dentures can be made to attach to dental implants as well. Over time, dentures will wear and need to be realigned or replaced in order to keep the jaw alignment comfortable. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and tissues shrink due to the extraction of the teeth. Patients must keep up with regular dental visits so we can check for shifts or necessary adjustments. We also recommend denture patients have an oral cancer exam at least once a year.

This procedure takes about six to eight months to complete. Healing from the initial procedure (in which the posts are anchored in either the upper or lower jaw) takes roughly three to six months. With the help of a custom mold of your mouth, replacement teeth will be made and eventually affixed to the posts. Most patients recover easily from the surgical procedure and experience little to no downtime from their regular activities. Implants can be used as a stand-alone solution or in conjunction with bridges or dentures.

Unsure if you’re a good candidate for implants? Schedule an appointment and we’ll conduct an exam to assess your candidacy. We’ll review your health history, radiographs of your teeth and jaw, and individual concerns in order to provide the best treatment plan for you.

An inlay, which is similar to a filling, is used inside the cusp tips in the center of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay, but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth. In cases where damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can be a good alternative. Because inlays and onlays are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, they can increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75% and can last for up to 15 years.

Inlays and Onlays come with many benefits, including:

An excellent alternative to full coverage crowns
Restore damage and decay to strengthen teeth in the future
Easy cleaning and care due to precision fit
Stain-resistant

Inlays and onlays usually require two appointments to complete. A temporary restoration in the shape of the final inlay/onlay is typically created during the first visit, while the permanent restoration is produced in the lab for application during the final visit.

Sealants only take a few minutes to apply and require no anesthesia. During your visit, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and dried. Next, an acid solution is applied to roughen up the surfaces of the teeth so that the sealant can better adhere. The sealant is then painted directly onto the enamel, where it dries and hardens, forming a protective shield around each tooth.

We highly recommend sealants as an excellent preventative measure for young children and adolescents. In order to better protect the teeth through the cavity-prone teenage years, the sealants should be applied immediately after molars and premolars come in. Additionally, we recommend sealants for adults without any tooth decay or fillings.