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Prosthodontics
"Preventative care and early detection enable me to take care of potential problems before the require costly, time consuming treatments." -Dr. Michael S. Goodman |
 Injury, disease, congenital defects, joint and sleep disorders, neglect, and years of day-to-day wear can all cause significant damage and require the complete or partial removal of our teeth. Prosthodontics is a subspecialty of dentistry that focuses on the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth and other oral tissues to maintain health, function and aesthetics. Stained, chipped, worn, broken or missing teeth can be restored to their natural appearance so you can continue to enjoy a beautiful smile. Replacements include crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, dental implants, and complete and removable partial dentures.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implant which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
Click here to view Dr. Goodman's Dental Implant smile gallery.
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Root Canal
 Root canals can prevent tooth decay and loss when there is damage to the soft core of the tooth (the pulp). Despite its reputation as a painful ordeal, a root canal is actually not very uncomfortable. During the procedure, the damaged pulp is removed, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off, and a crown is bonded to the tooth to maintain strength.
Click here to view Dr. Goodman's Root Canal smile gallery.
Inlays & Onlays
Dental inlays and onlays are solid fillings used to restore damaged or decayed teeth. They are often needed when there is not enough healthy tissue left in the tooth to support a regular filling. (If a tooth is severely damaged, a crown may be necessary to cover the entire surface instead of an inlay or onlay.) Unlike regular fillings, they strengthen rather than weaken teeth. Inlays lie within the cusps, or bumps, on the surface of a tooth, while onlays cover one or more cusps. They are often placed over two visits: one in which the tooth is prepared, a temporary filling is placed and an impression is made, and one in which the specially constructed inlay or onlay is cemented onto the tooth. Inlays and onlays made of composite resin or porcelain are tooth-colored, while those made of gold alloy offer increased strength and durability.
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