For the holidays, we are closed Dec. 23rd through Jan 5th. We are back in office Jan 6th.
Open Mon–Thu.
8:30 AM–4:00 PM
4415 66th Street Suite 109
Lubbock, TX, 79423
806-795-4443

Restorative &
Prosthetic Dentistry

Restore Your Smile with Advanced Dental Solutions

At Mary Glasheen Dentistry, we specialize in restorative and prosthetic dentistry to help you regain a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. Our approach focuses on preserving your natural teeth whenever possible while offering comprehensive solutions to address any dental issues you may have. Whether you need a simple filling or a complete tooth replacement, our services are designed to improve oral health and quality of life.

The Importance and Benefits of Preserving Natural Teeth

Preserving your natural teeth is a priority in dental care because it offers numerous long-term benefits. While restorative and prosthetic treatments are valuable options for addressing dental issues, maintaining natural teeth can improve oral health and functionality. Here's why preserving your natural teeth is so important:

1. Enhanced
Oral Health

Natural teeth maintain the integrity of your jawbone and surrounding structures. When a tooth is extracted, the jawbone can deteriorate over time due to the lack of stimulation from chewing. This can lead to bone loss and changes in facial structure. Keeping natural teeth helps maintain a healthy and strong jawbone.

2. Better
Functionality

Natural teeth provide the best functionality for chewing and speaking. They are designed to withstand the forces of biting and chewing efficiently. Restorative options, while effective, may not always replicate the natural function of your original teeth completely.

3. Aesthetic
Appeal

Natural teeth generally have a more natural appearance compared to artificial replacements. Preserving your teeth ensures that your smile retains its natural beauty and harmony, which can boost your confidence and self-esteem.

4. Cost
Effective

In the long run, preserving natural teeth can be more cost-effective. Preventive care and minimally invasive treatments to save natural teeth are often less expensive than more complex restorative procedures required to replace missing teeth.

5. Avoiding
Complications

Keeping your natural teeth can help avoid potential complications associated with tooth extractions and replacements, such as infections, alignment issues, and the need for additional treatments.

While there are situations where tooth extraction and replacement are necessary, our goal is to explore all available options to preserve your natural teeth first. We use advanced techniques and treatments, such as fillings, crowns, and root canal therapy, to restore and maintain the health of your natural teeth whenever possible.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are sometimes necessary to maintain oral health, particularly when other restorative options are not viable. We perform extractions for various reasons, including severe decay, infection, or crowding. Our team ensures the procedure is as comfortable and pain-free as possible, using modern techniques and anesthesia options to minimize discomfort.


Site Preservation: A focus will be on site preservation of your tooth. This helps keep you from experiencing bone loss, decrease your chance of infections, and positively impact the success of future treatments or proceures. 


Common Reasons for Tooth Extractions:


  • Severe tooth decay
  • Infection
  • Impacted teeth
  • Overcrowding
  • Trauma

Fillings

Dental fillings are a fundamental method for repairing cavities and preserving the natural structure of your teeth. We use composite resin fillings that match the color of your natural teeth, providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for dental decay. Early intervention with fillings helps prevent the need for more extensive treatments.


Benefits of Composite Fillings:


  • Natural appearance (tooth colored!)
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Preserve more of the natural tooth structure
  • Easy to repair compared to silver fillings

Crowns

When a tooth is significantly damaged or decayed but can still be preserved, a crown may be the best solution. Crowns cover the entire tooth, providing strength, protection, and improved appearance. Our crowns are made from high-quality materials, such as porcelain, to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Using crowns can prevent the need for extractions and maintain the integrity of your natural tooth.


Uses of Dental Crowns:


  • Protect weak or cracked teeth
  • Restore broken or severely worn teeth
  • Cover and support teeth with large fillings
  • Hold dental bridges in place
  • Cover dental implants


Tooth Replacement

When preservation is not possible and a tooth must be replaced, we offer various options to restore your smile and function. Dental implants, bridges, and partial dentures are designed to replace missing teeth and maintain oral health. These solutions help prevent the shifting of adjacent teeth, maintain proper bite alignment, and improve speech and chewing.


Tooth Replacement Options:


  • Dental Implants: Provide a permanent, natural-looking single tooth replacement solution that replaces both the tooth and its root.
  • Bridges: Often used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth.
  • Removable Partial Dentures: Removable appliances that fill in gaps created by missing teeth. This can be used for replacing multiple teeth all in one appliance with one fee! 

Dentures

Dentures offer a comprehensive solution for patients needing full-mouth restoration. We provide complete and partial dentures designed to fit comfortably and look natural. Modern dentures can significantly improve your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently, supporting your facial structure and oral health.


Types of Dentures:


  • Complete (Full) Dentures: Used when all teeth are missing.
  • Partial Dentures: Used when some natural teeth remain.

If you need restorative or prosthetic dental care, schedule a consultation with Mary Glasheen Dentistry. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care and advanced solutions to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile.

Have Questions or need to schedule an appointment?

Fill out our contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Our team is here to provide you with the information and support you need to maintain optimal dental health. Your dental health is our top priority, and we are committed to providing personalized and compassionate care.