Family Dentistry of Texoma

Restorative Dentistry

When a tooth is damaged, decayed, or missing, restoring it promptly protects your overall oral health and prevents more complex problems down the road. At Family Dentistry of Texoma in Wichita Falls, we offer a full range of restorative dental treatments under one roof — so most of what you need can be handled right here without referrals to outside specialists.

Why Replacing Missing Teeth Matters

A missing tooth is more than a cosmetic concern. The gap left behind creates real problems over time:

• Surrounding teeth gradually drift into the empty space, affecting your bite and alignment
• The jawbone beneath the missing tooth begins to resorb without a root to stimulate it
• Odd-shaped gaps collect bacteria and are harder to keep clean, increasing cavity risk in neighboring teeth
• Remaining teeth absorb extra chewing force, accelerating wear

Replacing missing teeth addresses all of these issues and helps preserve the health of your remaining natural teeth.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. The neighboring teeth are prepared and crowned, with the replacement tooth — called a pontic — suspended between them.

Bridges can be made from gold, porcelain fused to metal, or porcelain alone, depending on the location of the tooth and your preferences. They are a fixed restoration, meaning they are cemented in place and do not come in and out like a partial denture.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once the bone fuses with the implant through a process called osseointegration, a crown is attached on top. The result is a restoration that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.

Unlike a bridge, an implant does not require altering the neighboring teeth. It also preserves the jawbone by stimulating it with every bite — something bridges and dentures cannot do. Implants can replace a single tooth, support a bridge, or anchor a full or partial denture for greater stability.

Dentures

Dentures are removable prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. There are two main types:

• Full dentures replace an entire arch of missing teeth and are supported by the gum tissue and jawbone
• Partial dentures fill in gaps when some natural teeth remain, using clasps to anchor to the existing teeth

Modern dentures are far more natural-looking and comfortable than older designs. For patients who want greater stability, implant-supported dentures are also available.

Dental Crowns

A crown is a cap that covers the entire visible surface of a tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are used when a tooth has been significantly damaged by decay, cracking, or fracture, or to protect a tooth following root canal therapy.

Crowns are custom-fabricated to match the size and color of your surrounding teeth. They can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, gold, or zirconia — your dentist will recommend the best material based on the tooth’s location, your bite, and your aesthetic preferences.

Dental Fillings

When decay is removed from a tooth, the space it leaves behind is filled with a restorative material to repair the tooth’s shape and function. Fillings are one of the most common restorative procedures in dentistry.

Today’s tooth-colored composite resins closely match the natural appearance of your teeth and are the most commonly used filling material for visible areas. Traditional materials such as gold and dental amalgam remain appropriate options for back teeth where strength and durability are the priority. Your dentist will help you choose the right material based on the tooth’s location and your specific needs.

Orthodontics

Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, place less stress on the jaw and gums, and contribute to a healthier bite overall. Orthodontic treatment corrects crowding, spacing, misalignment, and bite problems at any age.

At Family Dentistry of Texoma, we offer clear aligner treatment with Invisalign and ClearCorrect as an alternative to traditional wire braces — a discreet option preferred by many adults and teens. For patients who need early orthodontic evaluation, we recommend an initial assessment by age 7 so that any developing issues can be identified and monitored.