Beyond just aesthetic reasons for taking care of your smile, your dental health is important to your overall health, too. Choosing the right dentist, a dentist that blends aesthetics and dental health (Art & Science) can be a wise decision. There are a variety of stages you may deal with in your life that impact your teeth and a good Santa Barbara dentist who follows a Biomimetic approach is a benefit to you in dental health as well as overall health. Restorative dentistry includes a wide variety of dental treatments and procedures that are meant to help patients restore their dental health and regain confidence in their smiles. Whether from cavities, tooth damage, or normal wear and tear, many people will need restorative dentistry at some point. At Hlavaty Dental Arts, we provide a full range of restorative dentistry services. These include natural-looking tooth-colored fillings to repair cavities, bonding to rebuild lost tooth structure, as well as high-strength ceramic crowns & bridgework to restore lost function. If you're in the Santa Barbara or Montecito, CA areas, call us today to learn more and schedule an appointment. Let's talk about how restorative dentistry can help return your teeth to a healthier, more natural-looking state.
Oral health exams are an integral aspect of every appointment. A comprehensive oral examination, sometimes referred to as a “full mouth exam,” covers the entire mouth, gives us an opportunity to screen you for oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other issues that may affect your oral health.
After your exam is complete, you and your dentist will discuss your oral health, to develop a personal treatment plan tailored to your unique dental needs. Treatment plans are a detailed outline of your recommended care, and typically include a timeline for each procedure, as well as information about what you can expect from each service.
Everyone is unique, and so are their smiles. With this in mind, no two treatment plans are the same. We’ll take the time to educate you about all of your available treatment options, so you can choose the right treatment for your needs, budget, and lifestyle. We’re with you every step of the way.
We’re happy to offer sedation options to keep you feeling comfortable and safe during your visit. Sedation is especially helpful for more complex restorative procedures, as well as for patients who experience dental anxiety or have trouble sitting still. We’ll discuss sedation options while making your treatment plan.
If you’re coming to our office for a dental emergency, it is important to get the care you need as soon as possible. In some cases we may be able to offer same-day care, depending on the severity of your problem and our availability. For non-emergencies, we’ll simply schedule your next appointment after your initial cleaning and exam. We’ll work with you to schedule in a way that fits with your schedule.
Considering improving your health with Metal-Free Restorations? White fillings don’t just look better than metal fillings, they’re healthier, too.
Non-metal restorations are increasing in popularity in our Santa Barbara dental office with the negative publicity about mercury exposure and metal fillings being the #1 cause of human exposure to mercury, a highly toxic substance.
Aside from their potential toxicity, metal fillings can also damage teeth, making them more susceptible to breakage and decay. Expanding old silver fillings are the number one reason teeth develop fractures. Fractures may lead to broken teeth, root canals, or extractions. Whether you want your silver fillings replaced with white fillings or are interested in learning about crowns or porcelain onlays, we would be happy to help you. Dr. Hlavaty would be happy to help you explore your options for non-metal restorations that will look better and be better for your oral and overall health, too.
Non-metal restorations are durable, comfortable, and provide a natural-looking aesthetic. They are also metal-free, making them a great choice for people with metal allergies. Contact us today to learn more about non-metal restorations.
Why Hlavaty Dental Arts for Metal-Free Restorations?
Non-metal restorations are one of the many restorative dentistry options offered at our Santa Barbara, CA dentist’s office. Dr. Hlavaty will strive to help you smile healthy and beautifully.
Talk to us about non-metal restorations today. Please call (805) 564-3600 if you have questions.
Health Dentistry combines the best of integrative dental medicine with tooth-preserving dentistry for optimal oral health. We continually look for materials and methods that do not harm the body and are the most biologically acceptable. We are not big believers of "storing “metals” in the mouth as they may be poisonous or toxic on your immune health or can produce galvanism which also can lead to long term health concerns.
By bringing the oral system to optimal health, we can profoundly influence balance within the whole body total health. Dr. Hlavaty is your go to source for comprehensive dental care, with a focus on prevention, as well as providing health-enhancing dentistry for long-lasting and beautiful smiles.
Come experience the benefits of Whole Health Dentistry today. Please call (805) 564-3600 if you have questions.
Are you interested in having your silver fillings removed and replaced with tooth-colored non-metal restorations?
Beyond their removal providing a more aesthetically pleasing outcome for an attractive smile, there are overall health considerations to be aware of as well. Safe removal of amalgam fillings is imperative for the patient and Dr. Hlavaty while performing the procedure.
Amalgam fillings contain mercury, one of the most toxic substances known. In recent years, much research has been done on the impact of this material on teeth. As a result, more & more Santa Barbara residents are looking to replace their silver fillings. Safe amalgam filling removal by a skilled dentist keeps the patient, the dentist, and the dental assistants protected from mercury toxicity.
Many dental schools still teach dentists to use amalgam (silver) fillings and the American Dental Association (ADA) continues to tell the public they are harmless. But recently more and more questions have been raised about the safety of mercury vapor released from amalgams. This has resulted in a controversy and ongoing debate about their safety – with some dentists saying they are safe and some saying they aren’t. This has now evolved to the point where over half of practicing dentists no longer put amalgam fillings in their patients’ teeth. Many areas in Europe have actually banned the use of these fillings.
The FDA has reclassified dental amalgams as potentially hazardous. Amalgam fillings are also susceptible to temperature changes, which make teeth more vulnerable to cracking, chipping, and fracture. In addition, they can cause further tooth decay.
At Hlavaty Dental Arts, we are a mercury-free dental office & Dr. Hlavaty takes amalgam filling removal seriously. Dr. Hlavaty chose to open both a mercury-free (amalgam-free) and mercury-safe dental practice. It was his decision but he believes that deciding whether or not to have your existing amalgam fillings removed and replaced must be the patients choice. Dr. Hlavaty places great importance on Patient Education, and feels it is his responsibility to educate his patients about the relationship of oral problems & risks to overall health issues and to provide them with the information required for them to make educated decisions.
"No more Silver Fillings....Thanks Dr. Hlavaty!"
Dental technologies, materials, and methods have rapidly changed over the last few decades, enabling dentists to provide better and safer care than ever before. However, no dental restoration can match the strength and durability of your natural tooth structure, which is why Dr. Hlavaty practices Biomimetic Dentistry at Hlavaty Dental Arts in Santa Barbara, CA. This approach, which means "copy or mimic nature,” conserves as much of your natural tooth as possible when repairs are needed. This helps to keep your teeth strong, protect them from future damage, and seal them off from bacterial infiltration.
By utilizing Biomimetic Dentistry, Dr. Hlavaty seeks to create lasting dental restorations that mimic the form and function of natural teeth, ensuring your teeth remain strong and healthy for years to come. This advanced dental technique also offers the added bonus of preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible, to ensure that patients experience long-lasting results.
Many dental practices treat issues such as decay, infection, or disease with techniques and restorations that simply address the basic problem. However, these techniques often result in the removal of a large portion of the natural tooth. Tooth structure preservation is fundamental to Biomimetic Dentistry. Dr. Hlavaty considers your dental problem and determines the underlying causes before developing a plan to correct it. He tries to remove as little tooth structure as possible and then uses advanced materials and methods to rebuild the tooth to prevent the issue from recurring. The end result is a tooth that functions and feels great while being protected from further damage and bacterial infection.
When your teeth have been treated utilizing these methods and you take good care of them with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits, they are in the best condition to function for years, minimizing the concern about tooth failure from overtreatment or breakage.
Biocompatible restorative materials are designed to work well with your body and are not recognized as foreign to cause an immune response or allergic reaction. Other types of restorations may contain conductive metals that can cause uncomfortable or destructive reactions when interacting with the different tissues & fluids in your mouth.
Biocompatible materials are made with the specific needs of your body and mouth in mind. They can last for many years and will not corrode or conduct heat. We use advanced 3D equipment to take precise images & scans of your teeth & bite, allowing our labs to accurately build restorations that mimic the color, shape & function of your existing teeth and effectively restore the appearance, feel, and function of your bite.
Give us a call today (805) 564-3600 to schedule a consultation to learn more about biocompatible restorative materials.
Exploring your options for replacing an old denture or missing teeth
The replacement of missing teeth is critical. Not only will leaving a gap in your mouth cause your other teeth to shift but it could affect your bone structure, too. When people have missing teeth, the bone that supported the teeth begins to deteriorate. Over time, this can lead to the jawbone becoming weak and deformed, which can cause further problems with speaking and chewing.
Whether you need to replace missing teeth, want to replace old dentures with new ones, or are looking at improving your smile and suspect the process might involve tooth extractions, today’s choices are abundant. Cosmetic dentures are a popular choice and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how attractive and natural today’s cosmetic dentures are.
Choosing Cosmetic Dentures vs Alternatives
Are you comparing options for replacing missing teeth? Cosmetic dentures can be more affordable than some alternatives, such as dental implants, for instance. In the case of either solution, our office provides dental financing, too. This is so that the cost of getting the smile you deserve doesn’t have to be prohibitive. We have access to whiter, more natural-looking denture teeth than ever before! Dr. Hlavaty uses proven smile design principles to ensure your dentures look & function beautifully.
Restorative dentistry can restore the form and function of infected, damaged, or missing teeth, while preventing further damage down the line. Additionally, if you’ve experienced any sort of dental trauma due to an injury or an accident, restorative dentistry can return your smile to a healthy, functional state.
Restorative dental treatments like root canals, crowns, and implants may seem intimidating to some patients, but thanks to advancements in technology and dental techniques, restorative dentistry is more comfortable and convenient than ever. Getting the restorative dental treatment you need at the earliest opportunity can help you to avoid future issues, dental pain, and more costly procedures. In addition to saving both time and money in the long run, you’ll also get the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that your grin is in good shape. Plus, restorative dentistry can also restore your confidence by improving the overall appearance of your smile.
Any oral health condition or injury that requires immediate attention and cannot be treated at home is considered a dental emergency. Conditions like toothaches that don’t stop, continued oral pain or discomfort, chipped or broken teeth, missing or lost dental work, and bleeding gums fall into this category. If you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing qualifies as a dental emergency, just know that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Get in touch with us right away to find out if you need emergency dentistry.
Many insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of necessary restorative procedures, but the extent of your coverage can vary, depending on your unique policy. As a common example, your insurance may cover the cost of simple fillings or root canals, but may not provide full coverage for dental implants. To gain a full understanding of your own coverage, we recommend reaching out to your insurance provider for details. Also, you can always get in touch with our knowledgeable and friendly team, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you maximize your benefits at our practice.
Monday - Thursday
8:00AM - 5:00PM
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