Broken, decayed, or missing teeth can interfere with proper function. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to even more dental issues.
Many dental treatments focus on managing oral health problems and restoring full function to your smile.
Dentist Timothy M. Kelly offers a wide range of restorative dentistry procedures at our Albuquerque, NM, practice.
Real Patients.
Real Results.
Deb discusses her care at the practice of Dr. Tim Kelly in this temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder testimonial. She stresses the impact Dr. Kelly’s gentle touch and calming demeanor had on her. After experiencing anxiety over trips to the dentist, she now feels completely comfortable during appointments.
Our Approach to Restorative Care
The most critical aspect of what we do on a daily basis is gain a clear understanding of the patient’s unique needs. This involves an examination of the function of the oral cavity and its role in the overall health, beauty, comfort, and longevity of the patient’s smile.
Often, it is difficult for patients to visualize the outcomes of their options, especially when the benefits of early restorative care may not become apparent for another 20 years. Dr. Timothy Kelly and our team’s goal is to find out each patient’s desires, discuss potential outcomes, and formulate a long-term health care plan.
The Benefits of Treatment
Many patients don’t understand how the positive aspects of restorative dental care can benefit their immediate and long-term oral health.
Oral Comfort
One of our main goals is to help patients experience improved oral comfort, in addition to having a pleasant experience at our practice.
Better Oral Function
Experience improved function, including better chewing, breathing, and speaking ability, all of which are dependent on a healthy mouth.
Reduced Dental Costs
Maintaining good dental health is always far less expensive than treating more serious problems that result from poor oral care or missed appointments.
Improved Oral Health
Treating cavities and dental damage restores your smile, reduces bacteria in the mouth, and helps prevent problems from worsening.
Better Dental Hygiene
Repairing or replacing damaged teeth makes it easier to brush and floss properly. Good oral hygiene is essential for long-term health.
Enhanced Appearance
Improving the health of your teeth and gums can help you look younger and healthier, immediately boosting your self-esteem.
Conditions Treated With Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry addresses a range of oral health issues. The team at our Albuquerque dental office may recommend this type of treatment if you have:
- Cavities – Cavities are caused by bacteria and plaque buildup. They can occur even with a good oral care routine.
- Gum Disease – Gum disease is an infection of the gums that results in redness, pain, and bleeding gums.
- Broken or Fractured Teeth – When teeth become broken or fractured, they become more susceptible to decay and infection.
- Missing Teeth – Missing teeth detract from the beauty of your smile and can make eating and speaking difficult.
- Mobility – Gum disease and gum recession can cause the teeth to become loose and even shift out of place.
- Bite Problems – An uneven bite can lead to problems that extend beyond impaired dental function, like headaches.
- Jaw Pain – Jaw pain is a common symptom of TMJ disorder. As a TMJ expert, Dr. Kelly can treat your jaw pain at the source.
- Infection or Dental Abscesses – Dental infections and abscesses can be painful and even spread throughout your body.
- Dental Discomfort – Different oral health problems can lead to pain. Our goal is to alleviate your dental discomfort through dentistry.
Gentle Sedation Can Ensure Your Comfort
Even though most restorative dentistry procedures can be completed with just local anesthesia, we understand that some patients need a little extra help feeling comfortable in a dental chair. You may have dental anxiety, find it difficult to sit still for extended periods of time, or have tooth or gum sensitivity that makes treatment especially uncomfortable.
To help ease your concerns, we offer oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide sedation at our practice. Both of these options can help you feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed during your treatment.
To discuss how calming sedation can make your restorative care a quicker, less stressful experience, contact us online or call: (505) 295-4722.
Your Sedation Options
Which Is Right for You?
At our Albuquerque dental office, patients can choose from two sedation options depending on their procedure, level of anxiety, and other factors. Your options include:
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that will alleviate your anxiety without putting you to sleep. Nitrous oxide is delivered through a mask, takes effect quickly, and wears off quickly once the mask is removed. Patients who choose nitrous oxide can drive themselves to and from their appointment.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a prescribed pill you take about an hour before your procedure. The pill will put you in a deep state of relaxation without hindering your ability to respond to commands. This form of sedation will require a friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment, as the medication takes time to wear off.
Fillings
If you have a small cavity or chip in your tooth, then it can likely be treated with a dental filling. Dr. Kelly uses biocompatible, tooth-colored composite resin to seamlessly restore your smile. A tooth filling can be placed in a single appointment.
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Crowns
If your tooth has a large cavity or significant damage, it will require a dental crown. These custom restorations cover the entire tooth structure for added strength and resiliency. Crowns are also used to restore dental implants and root canal-treated teeth.
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Bridges
Localized tooth loss can be treated with a dental bridge. This type of restoration consists of dental crowns with artificial teeth between them. Dr. Kelly offers both traditional and implant-supported bridges at our Albuquerque, NM, office.
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Dentures
Partial dentures can replace several missing teeth, while full dentures restore an entire arch. At our Albuquerque office, our dentist offers both traditional and implant-supported dentures depending on the needs of the patient.
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Dental Implants
Missing teeth can be replaced with the help of dental implants. These threaded titanium posts are inserted into the jaw to replace missing tooth roots. Implants can support a wide variety of restorations, including crowns, bridges, and dentures.
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TMJ Therapy
The condition of your jaw joints is a primary factor of overall dental health. Dr. Kelly is an expert in TMJ treatment. He uses advanced technology to determine the correct position of your jaw, then designs a plan to achieve that position.
Request an AppointmentA Real Patient’s Results
Helen suffered from TMJ disorder that resulted in painful headaches, dizzy spells, balance problems, and worn teeth that affected her smile and how she ate. Dr. Kelly determined her TMJs were out of alignment, so he designed a plan to realign the jaws and restore her teeth. The result is a beautiful smile and a return to a normal lifestyle.
A Plan Tailored to You
Dr. Kelly determined the root of Helen’s problem and treated the source. He does the same for every one of his patients. Your treatment plan will be unique and completely tailored to your needs.
Your dentist may start with restorative treatment to correct your functional concerns, then move on to general dentistry to maintain the newfound health of your smile. Then, if you need a boost of confidence, you can consider cosmetic treatments.
Request an AppointmentMaintaining and Improving Your Smile
With Restorative Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, and General Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry
The primary objective of this area of dentistry is to restore and repair the smile. Patients may gain some cosmetic benefits from restorative dental care, but the main goal is to reestablish full function and health.
Cosmetic Dentistry
The focus of cosmetic dentistry is to enhance the appearance of the smile. Popular cosmetic procedures include whitening, bonding, and veneers. To qualify, patients must be free from cavities and gum disease.
General Dentistry
The goal of general dentistry is to maintain the health of your smile and prevent oral health concerns like cavities and gum disease. General dentistry treatments include routine cleanings, exams, oral cancer screenings, and X-rays.
Meet Dr. Tim Kelly
Your Dentist in Albuquerque
Dr. Tim Kelly has been practicing dentistry since 1981. He chose to set up his practice in Albuquerque because it was his hometown. Since opening his office, he has provided dental care to friends, neighbors, and people he grew up with. He considers it a privilege to be able to give back to the community in which he grew up.
Though he has been a local dentist for decades, Dr. Kelly’s dental care is far from outdated. Dr. Kelly pursues continuing education courses in restorative dentistry to keep up with the latest techniques. He also uses the latest technology available in the field of dentistry because he understands that the newest advancements mean a more comfortable experience, faster treatment, and better outcomes.
Dr. Kelly is proud to have treated generations of families, and he can’t wait to treat you.
Request an AppointmentWhat Will My Treatment Cost?
Restorative dentistry encompasses a range of solutions for a variety of issues. No two treatment plans are exactly alike, which makes it difficult to quote a price for implants and other restorative treatments without first conducting a consultation.
Our Albuquerque, NM, practice wants to make your care as affordable as possible. We work with many major insurance providers, including Delta Dental, United Concordia, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Metlife. If you are uninsured or making out-of-pocket payments, we can help you coordinate financing through LendingPoint™.