LOCATION
85 Darby Road
Paoli, PA 19301
Restorative Dentistry
Even with the best preventive care, teeth can develop conditions that must be addressed or repaired.
Whether it’s genetic history, periods of poor preventive care or an emergency situation, Koup Family Dental will work with you to restore your smile and oral health to the best it can be.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
When your teeth become damaged and lose their functional integrity, restorative dentistry addresses the affected area and returns your teeth to their original or most optimal state. The term restorative dentistry encompasses the methods by which repairs are made.
When is Restorative Dentistry Appropriate?
There are many reasons teeth may need repair or treatment. For example:
- cavities
- old failing fillings (especially metal)
- broken or chipped teeth
- missing teeth
To address these issues and restore the functionality of your teeth, dentists use devices such as fillings, dentures, crowns, bridges, onlays, inlays and dental implants.
Why are These Procedures Important?
The goal of Restorative Dentistry is to bring back your natural smile and prevent future oral health issues.
- Filling empty spaces in the mouth helps keep teeth properly aligned for optimal chewing surface.
- Replacing teeth, when needed, makes it easier to maintain good oral care habits that hamper plaque build-up and its associated problems.
- Missing teeth can affect your health, appearance and self-esteem.
Why Trust Koup Family Dental with Your Restorative Dentistry Needs?
Our Years of Experience and Knowledge of Cutting Edge Technology
At Koup Family Dental our doctors have specialized in restorative dentistry for many years.
- Dr. Richard Koup, who has been in practice for over 40 years, routinely incorporates new and improved materials and technology into his tried-and-true procedures.
- Dr. Mark Koup also excels in restorative dentistry at our practice. In addition, he is a Clinical Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry and a Director of Comprehensive Care Clinics at Penn Medicine. This makes him an unparalleled asset in the field of restorative dentistry.
New Technology Not Offered Anywhere else in the Area
When the proper restoration calls for crowns, bridges, onlays or inlays, our office uses state of the art CAD/CAM technology in the Planmeca PlanMill® 40S. This machine allows our doctors to produce, or mill, metal-free dental restorations and appliances chairside to the exact specifications needed for each patient.
The new Planmeca PlanMill 30 S boasts high-performance technology capable of milling a broad range of materials. We can now produce crowns, bridges, onlays and inlays in as little as 1 visit – same day service! No more waiting days or even weeks for an outside lab to fabricate your restoration.
Common Restorative Procedures Performed at Koup Family Dental
Fillings
When cavities develop or an old filling fails, treatment usually calls for a new filling. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that grow into tiny openings or holes. Anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants.
A combination of factors cause cavities:
- bacteria in your mouth
- frequent snacking
- sipping sugary drinks
- not cleaning your teeth well
If not treated, cavities get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead to a severe toothache, infection and tooth loss.
The most common treatment for a cavity is to remove the decay and fill the tooth with a durable material. At Koup Family Dental we most often use a resin composite — a ceramic and plastic compound. Because resin mimics the appearance of natural teeth, these fillings blend right in. They’re also known as “white fillings” or “tooth-colored fillings.”
In some cases, you and our team may choose amalgam, or “silver” fillings. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Mercury, which makes up about 50% of the compound, binds the metals together to provide a strong, durable filling.
Crowns
A crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth, improving its structural integrity and functionality. Crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Crowns are needed to:
- Protect a weak tooth from breaking
- Restore an already broken tooth or one that is severely worn down
- Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when not much tooth remains
- Cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth
- Cover a dental implant
- Make a cosmetic modification
When a crown is required, our doctors prep the tooth by removing any decay or old filling material. A “cap” is then created to look like your natural tooth using our Planmeca PlanMill 40S.
In some instances, our doctors may take an impression and create a temporary crown. The impression is sent to an outside laboratory for fabrication, and the permanent crown is inserted at a second office visit.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. They look and feel like a natural tooth.
An implant has two parts:
- a metal anchor
- A false tooth, similar to a crown
Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots, similar in shape to screws. When dental implants are placed in your jawbone (done outside our office by a trusted and experienced implant specialist), they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns.
A connector — known as an abutment — is placed on top of the dental implant to hold and support your crowns. We custom-make your crown to match your natural teeth and fit of your mouth.
While the permanent tooth is being made, a healing cap or removable appliance will be placed depending on your particular situation. The permanent crown will be placed at a second office visit.
Bridges
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
A bridge consists of:
- two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap. These two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth.
- a false tooth/teeth in between
Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants. Our office uses the Planmeca PlanMill 40S to create your perfect crowns for the abutment teeth as well as the false tooth/teeth based on the structure of your tooth.
In some instances we may need to use an outside laboratory for fabrication, but a temporary bridge will be put in place until the final bridge is inserted at a second office visit.
Dental Inlays and Onlays
There are times when a tooth suffers damage too extensive to be treated with a simple filling — but not extensive enough to require a full-coverage crown. In these cases, the best option for restoring the tooth is an inlay or onlay.
Inlays and onlays are “indirect” fillings. They are fabricated outside the mouth, then bonded to the tooth by your dentist. In contrast, a “direct” filling is applied directly to the cavity during one office visit.
Inlays vs. Onlays
- An inlay fits within the little points or “cusps” of a back tooth.
- An onlay covers one or more of these cusps.
Getting an inlay or onlay is like having a crown placed, with one important difference: Less of your natural tooth is removed by drilling. When you get a crown, the tooth needs to undergo significant reshaping so that it will fit inside its new covering.
Since our goal is to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, we often recommend inlays and onlays when your tooth can be restored with this more conservative type of treatment.
Our office uses the Planmeca PlanMill 40S to create your inlay/onlay based on the structure of your tooth. In some instances, we may need to use an outside laboratory for fabrication.
Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
Two types of dentures are available:
- Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.
- Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.
When you are considering dentures, there are a variety of solutions available. It’s important to discuss with our team which option will work best for you.
Make an Appointment
At Koup Family Dental we pride ourselves on providing what you need when you need it.
We are committed to educating you on your options and providing treatment that fits your personal needs, schedule and budget. We welcome questions and look forward to partnering with you as you make the best decisions for your restorations.
Our friendly and informative staff are ready to speak with you and schedule your appointment and to answer any questions or concerns you have.
Koup Family Dental Welcomes New Patients!
The best time to begin improving your dental health is now.
Your dental health, comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities.
610.644.0408
Office Hours
Monday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday 7:00am – 1:00pm
Thursday 7:00am – 5:00pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed
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