Introduction:

A healthy smile is more than a mere cosmetic asset; it's an indication of health, vitality, and self-assurance. When teeth are lost or deteriorate, it can impact a great deal more than your looks. Routine everyday activities such as speaking clearly, eating a meal, or laughing with friends become difficult.

If missing, broken, or failing teeth are your concern, restorative dentistry might be the answer. My Scottsdale Dentist's Dr. Steven Poulos and Dr. Sid Stevens, specialise in restoring patients of all ages to a healthy, beautiful smile through high-quality, long-term restorative dental treatments.

This in-depth guide will take you through the latest available options for smile rebuilding, dental implants, crowns, and bridges and tell you what to anticipate at each point. If you're missing one tooth or you require a full smile makeover, you'll discover plain, dependable.

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry restores or replaces damaged, decayed, and missing teeth to regain full oral function and aesthetic balance. Not only is the aim of making your smile more aesthetically pleasing, but also improving your chewing, speech, and jawbone condition.

Treatments Such as:

• Dental Implants – Permanently replace one or more missing teeth

• Dental Crowns – Replace the form and functionality of a broken tooth

• Dental Bridges – Close gaps by supporting artificial teeth against adjacent teeth or implants

• Tooth-Colored Fillings – Repair decayed teeth with visually appealing materials

• Root Canal Therapy – Save severely infected teeth

• Full or Partial Dentures – Removable solutions for multiple missing teeth

Each is designed to the patient's specifications, employing state-of-the-art materials and techniques to provide long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing results.

Why Choose Dental Implants in Scottsdale?

The Gold Standard for Missing Teeth Replacement

Dental implants are generally the preferred way to replace missing teeth. The titanium posts are implanted into the jawbone surgically, where they become permanently attached to the bone and hold a custom crown, bridge, or denture in place.

Top Advantages of Dental Implants:

• Maintains Bone Structure: Stops jawbone loss

• Stable & Secure: No denture slippage

• Long-Lasting: Lasts a lifetime with proper care.

• No Effect on Adjacent Teeth: Unlike bridges, implants are independent

• Increases Confidence: Look, feel, and function like natural teeth

Who's a Suitable Candidate for Implants?

Missing a single tooth or several teeth

Overall, good general and oral health

Sufficient jawbone density (or bone grafting suitable)

Non-smoker or willing to quit smoking prior to surgery

Dedicated to good oral hygiene

Types of Dental Implants Available

It’s a natural-looking, affordable solution to replace that one missing tooth.

After extensive preparation for your unique case, we position an implant as the new root and finish it off with a porcelain or zirconia crown that will completely blend in with your grin.

Optimal for replacing multiple teeth in a row, this option uses two or more implants to offer support for a bridge that spans a few teeth.

Snap-On Implant Dentures:

These offer a more stable base than regular dentures. They snap onto dental implants, allowing you to chew with confidence and providing the stability of an implant-secured denture.

All-on-4 / All-on-6 Full Arch Implants.

This streamlined procedure involves the immediate replacement of an entire arch of missing teeth in only 4-6 implants. This kind of treatment presents amazing benefits, especially to those who are weary of their denture-wearing experience, or have experienced a complete or partial loss of their teeth.

What to Expect During the Implant Process

Consultation & Digital Imaging

• 3D cone beam CT scans

• Bite alignment analysis

• Discussion of medical history, goals, and options

Implant Surgery

• Performed under local anaesthesia or sedation

• Titanium posts are placed in precise bone locations.

• Post-op instructions for smooth healing

Osseointegration & Healing

• 3 to 6 months for the bone to fuse with the implant

• Temporary restoration may be provided

Final Restoration

• A custom-made crown or bridge is placed on an abutment

• Fit, bite, and aesthetics are carefully adjusted.

Same-Day Implants

In select cases, My Scottsdale Dentist offers Teeth-in-a-Day, placing an implant and temporary crown in one appointment.

Meet the Experts Behind the Restorations

Dr. Steven Poulos

With over three decades of experience, Dr. Poulos combines surgical precision with artistic vision. His focus is always on comfort, long-term function, and patient confidence.

Dr. Sid Stevens

A master of complex restorative dentistry, Dr. Stevens specialises in full-mouth rehabilitation and is known for his compassionate care and attention to detail.

Together, they provide Scottsdale patients with one of the most trusted implant and restorative teams in the region.

All About Dental Crowns

Dental crowns serve as a protective “replacement” tooth over weakened or unhealthy natural teeth, rejuvenating strength, shape, and appearance.

Reasons for Getting a Dental Crown

Save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted after root canal therapy.

Repair severely worn or even some cracked teeth.

Support weakened teeth that have been ground down over time.

Retreat large amalgam restorations.

Ensure me for the replacement of a dental implant.

Crown Materials

All-Porcelain / Ceramic is Great for the aesthetics of the front teeth

Zirconia: More Strength for Molars, But Still Aesthetic. Implant-grade zirconia is much stronger than porcelain crowns and is typically used for molars.

PFM (Porcelain Fused to Metal)— Durable, though a wee bit less organic

One-Day Crowns Done with CEREC Same-day Crowns

Thanks to CAD/CAM technology, your gorgeous new crown will be designed and placed digitally in a single visit. No goopy impressions or temporaries necessary!

Getting to Know Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can “bridge the gap” your missing teeth have left behind, secured by your nearby natural teeth or dental implants.

Pedestrian Bridge over Deep Run Park – Henrico County, VA

Traditional: Crown and bridge replacement with crowned natural teeth on either side of the gap

Cantilevered: Supported on one end alone

Maryland (Resin Bonded) is less invasive, utilising metal wings.

Implant Supported: Fastened to dental implants for added durability.

Pros of Dental Bridges

Non-invasive/surgical

Quicker than implants

Quality of life enhancement

Achieve improvements in chewing and speech.

Bridges present a better alternative for patients who are not implant candidates for health or economic reasons.

Sedation & Comfort Options

We understand that dental visits can cause anxiety, which is why we offer:

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) – Light sedation

• Oral Conscious Sedation – For moderate anxiety

• IV Sedation – For more complex or longer procedures

Our caring team ensures a relaxed, stress-free experience, from the waiting room to the recovery room.

Conclusion:

A healthy, confident smile opens doors in every aspect of life. Whether you need a single crown or a full set of implant-supported teeth, our experienced Scottsdale team is here to guide you with compassion and expertise.

Let My Scottsdale Dentist help you restore your smile and your self-assurance. Because you deserve to look and feel your absolute best.