General Treatment

At Brownsburg Dental, we pride ourselves on providing those in and around Brownsburg, Pittsboro, Avon, and Lizton, IN with the dental care needed for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Dr. John Loeffler is from Brownsburg and has developed a love for the community throughout his entire life. As a way to repay the community, he strives to provide every resident with efficient dental treatments and care at an affordable price. Whether you’re looking for a standard dental cleaning or a more intensive dental treatment, you can be assured that we offer what you’re looking for.

 

Routine Teeth Cleanings and Preventative Care

 

It’s important for you to receive a professional routine dental cleaning twice a year to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If plaque is allowed to build up it becomes hard other wise known as calculus. Calculus can build up under your gums and make it hard for you to keep them clean and healthy. You can not remove Calculus with a toothbrush. During your cleanings, our dental hygienist will remove plaque, calculus, and stain from your teeth (under the gum line and between your teeth), and polish them. Dr. Loeffler will perform an oral exam, during this exam Dr. Loeffler is checking the health of soft and hard tissues and screening for oral cancer. At this time, Dr. Loeffler may suggest other preventative treatments such as sealants and/or fluoride varnish.

 

Fillings For Cavities

 

When your tooth is damaged due to decay or any other reason, a filling will restore your damaged tooth structure. There are several materials we can use to restore damaged or decayed teeth based on the cosmetics, function, location, size, and longevity of the tooth we are restoring.

 

Types of Fillings:

 

  • Amalgam Fillings:  Because of their durability, these silver-colored fillings are often the best choice for large cavities or those that occur in the back teeth where a lot of force is needed to chew. Amalgam hardens quickly so it is useful in areas that are difficult to keep dry during placement, such as below the gum line. Because it takes less time to place than tooth-colored fillings, amalgam is also an effective material for children and special needs people who may have a difficult time sitting during treatment.
  • Composite Fillings: Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural.They can also be custom-colored to match the color of your own teeth. It generally takes longer to place a composite filling than it does for a metal filling. That’s because composite fillings require the tooth be kept clean and dry while the cavity is being filled. Some studies show that composite fillings can be less durable and need to be replaced more often than amalgam fillings.

 

Crowns (caps)

 

Dental crowns are extremely strong restorations utilized for protecting teeth that are more significantly damaged by decay, trauma, or fracture. Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials, including porcelain, metal, zirconium, or a combination of them. The appropriate type of crown depends on different factors, such as location, aesthetics, and function. Crowns are also used as abutments in fixed bridgework or bridges. In addition, dental crowns are used to cover dental implants, to protect teeth after root canal therapy, and to strengthen teeth that are weakened. Zirconium is a prefered material for all areas because it is a very tough material that can withstand wear and tear, it can be made to match your teeth as well.

Frequently asked questions about crowns:

  • How long should a dental crown last? It would be reasonable to expect that dental crowns could last about 15 to 20 years. Depending on the general wear and tear the crown is exposed to and how well oral hygiene is kept, a crown could even last longer.
  • Why do dental crowns need to replaced? There are a variety of reasons why a dental crown might need to be slated for replacement. They include: damage/breakage, excessive wear, tooth decay, and failed cosmetic appearance. 

Crown Preparation

Preparing your tooth/teeth for a crown may include removal of old or existing restorations, removal of all present decay, and possible removal of an old crown. The tooth/teeth would then be prepped (reduced in size) to allow the crown to be formed and placed. We will also take impressions of the tooth/teeth, surrounding teeth, and opposing teeth. The impressions take up to 5 minutes to complete and will allow our lab to custom fit your crown to your mouth. This appointment is generally two hours in length. When the prep is finished we will place a temporary chairside fabricated crown to protect the tooth and schedule a follow up delivery appointment 10 working days later to deliver your custom crown.

Crown Lab

Dr. Loeffler has used the same lab, Lumident, for 30 years. Lumident is a wonderful partner in ensuring our patients receive the best fitting crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Bridges

 
Dental bridges are used to fill spaces where there are missing teeth. This is important because it can prevent shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems, jaw problems, or periodontal disease. They also protect the integrity of your other natural teeth and will help you maintain a healthy smile. 

 

Types of Bridges:

  • Fixed Bridge – This is the most common type of bridge.  In the case of a single missing tooth, a filler tooth, known as a pontic, will be attached to two crowns that fit over the teeth on each side of the missing tooth in order to fill the gap. A fixed dental bridge is bonded into place and does not need to be removed for cleaning. However, it is essential to get regularly scheduled cleanings and exams for the success of your new bridge and your overall oral health.

  • Maryland Bridge – This is typically used to replace missing front teeth. A Maryland bridge consists of a metal framework with a porcelain tooth baked onto the front of the framework. A pontic (false tooth) is attached to metal bands that are hidden with a white-colored composite resin and attached to the back sides of the teeth on either side of the pontic. This bridge also is bonded to the surrounding teeth and does not need to be removed for cleaning. Just like the fixed bridge it is essential to get regularly scheduled cleanings and exams for the success of your new bridge and your overall oral health.

Custom Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile.

 

Types of dentures:

  • Conventional: This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.

  • Immediate: This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period, but may need to have the denture relined or remade after your jaw has healed.

  • Overdenture: In some cases, some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after they have been prepared by your dentist. Implants can serve the same function, too.

New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments with Dr. Loeffler are generally needed after a denture is inserted so the fit can be checked and adjusted. If problems persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to contact us to have Dr. Loeffler make adjustments for you.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still have to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

 

Denture Care

Like your teeth, your dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing also can help keep the teeth from staining.

  • Rinse your dentures before brushing to remove any loose food or debris.

  • Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures so they don't get scratched.

  • When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly—including your gums, cheeks, roof of your mouth and tongue to remove any plaque. This can help reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath.

  • When you’re not wearing your dentures, put them in a safe place covered in water to keep them from warping.

  • Occasionally, denture wearers may use adhesives. Adhesives come in many forms: creams, powders, pads/wafers, strips or liquids. If you use one of these products, read the instructions, and use them exactly as directed. We can also suggest products the Dr. Loeffler recommends. 

Contact Your Local Cosmetic Dentist!

 

If you are lucky enough to live in or around our beautiful towns of Brownsburg, Lizton, Avon, or Pittsboro West of Indianapolis, we would love to invite you to Brownsburg Dental Professionals, PC. If you have any further questions or you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you’re due for a semi-annual dental cleaning or you’re otherwise interested in scheduling an appointment with us, we encourage you to fill out our online appointment request form or give us a call at (317) 852-9787. We hope to see you soon and help give you an even more beautiful smile!

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