COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY

Dental sealants are used to fill small cracks or grooves in the teeth in which tooth decay can develop. Our San Francisco dentists often recommend sealants for children to protect newly erupted permanent teeth. However, sealants are also an effective treatment for adults.

Fluoride is used as a preventative for tooth decay and cavities. It helps to prevent plaque from hardening on the tooth's surface and causing gum health problems. Fluoride is recommended for patients in all age groups.

A dental bridge is used to bridge the gap between missing teeth. A bridge may be made from gold, porcelain, alloys, or a combination of materials. It is used to hold artificial teeth in place.

Crowns are typically used on patients with broken or damaged teeth. They are sometimes referred to as a “cap.” A crown is cemented over the damaged tooth and rests above the gum line. We use the latest, highest-performing materials in our practice and our dental crowns are made of durable and aesthetically-pleasing porcelain. The color of the porcelain crown is matched to the same color as the patient’s natural tooth and is very strong.

In some cases, we may recommend a partial crown if you have insufficient tooth structure left to support a full crown.

In keeping with our commitment to applying modern dental treatments and technology, San Francisco Dental Partners uses digital X-rays and iTero scanner tools for the crown-making process.

With iTero, there are no messy impressions to deal with. Your permanent crown will be placed one week after the first appointment. Your crown will be individually sculpted and placed into your mouth, creating a perfect fit that does not disrupt your natural bite or jaw movements.

Dentures are a natural-looking replacement for teeth that have been removed due to disease or damage. Modern dental technology has vastly improved the fit, feel, and function of dentures. All of our Financial District dental treatments are dedicated to helping you restore and improve your natural teeth, but when teeth do need to be replaced, dentures are often the best choice.

One of two types of dentures may be recommended. Full dentures are best suited for patients who have had all of their natural teeth removed. Partial dentures are an option when only some of the permanent teeth have been removed. Partials are attached to a metal frame and are secured to existing teeth in order to fill in empty spaces.

At San Francisco Dental Partners, our dentists do everything we can to help our patients avoid extractions, but sometimes, it is necessary to remove a tooth. Whether it is a misshapen or long-rooted baby tooth that won’t come out when it should, a permanent tooth that is too damaged to save, or an impacted wisdom tooth, we promise to extract the tooth as gently and with as little discomfort as possible.

The roots of every tooth are encased inside a “tooth socket,” while a ligament securely holds the tooth in the socket. In order to remove a tooth, your dentist must first enlarge the socket and separate the ligament from the tooth while still holding it in place. The procedure is complex, but it is typically over quickly. To increase your comfort, we offer the option of sedation or laughing gas.

After a tooth has been removed, the surrounding teeth will begin to shift. This can cause problems with chewing and jaw function. In order to avoid these complications, some type of tooth replacement will generally be recommended.