Restorative Dentistry in Santa Fe, NM

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

While the primary focus of dental care is maintaining healthy, functional, and attractive teeth and gums, dental restorations may be needed. Restorative dentistry focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing problems with your teeth and gums and restoring them to a healthy state when they are decayed, injured, broken, or infected. We provide restorative dentistry in Santa Fe that focuses on restoring both function and aesthetics.

Restore Your Smile’s Health & Strength

Dr. Alm at Matthew J. Alm, DDS in Santa Fe, NM, offers personalized restorative dentistry to repair damaged teeth, replace missing ones, and help you smile with confidence again.

Call us: (505) 983-6153

Restorative Dental Procedures

Tooth-Colored Fillings in Santa Fe

When a tooth develops a cavity, Dr. Alm cleans the tooth, removes any decay, and restores it with a tooth-colored composite resin filling that is durable and matches your natural tooth color.

Same-Day Crowns in Santa Fe

Dental crowns are used for a wide variety of dental restorations. If a tooth is so damaged that a filling or onlay is not sufficient, we may place a same-day crown. Using CEREC technology, we can design and create a custom crown in a single day.

Dental Bridges and Partial

A dental bridge or partial plate can replace one or more missing teeth without invasive surgery. The artificial teeth are supported by the remaining natural teeth on either side of the gap with crowns over them or metal clasps fastened to them.

Dentures & Implant-Supported Dentures

Dentures are removable dental prosthetics to replace all or most of a patient’s missing teeth. Traditional dentures fit over the bony ridges of the jawbones. They are removable for cleaning and resting the gums at night. Implant-supported dentures are also removable but fasten to dental implants with a ball-and-socket or bar attachment for greater stability.

Dental Implants Santa Fe

Implant restorations are a fixed type of tooth replacement. Implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they fuse with the surrounding bone to create a stable base for restorations that range from individual crowns to full arches of replacement teeth.

Tooth Extractions

Dr. Alm’s dental care philosophy focuses on saving your natural teeth whenever possible. When a tooth is damaged beyond repair or so diseased that it cannot be saved, he will recommend extracting the tooth to prevent damage to your remaining teeth, gums, and jawbone. When a tooth extraction cannot be avoided, he will discuss tooth replacement options with you.

What to Expect During Your Restorative Treatment

Restorative dental treatments vary widely in terms of their level of involvement. A filling is typically straightforward and completed in one visit. In contrast, dental implants are a complex process involving multiple appointments over several months. However, there are some steps common to all restorative dentistry:

  1. Examination: Dr. Alm performs a comprehensive exam to assess the extent of the problem and determine the appropriate restoration.
  2. Treatment Planning: Dr. Alm will discuss your options with you and put together a personalized treatment plan for your approval.
  3. Treatment: If possible, Dr. Alm will restore your tooth in a single appointment. If multiple appointments are needed, they are scheduled to align with healing timelines. We always numb the area before any treatment is begun, and in many situations will administer some form of sedation for your comfort.
  4. Aftercare: We provide detailed aftercare instructions to minimize pain, swelling, and bleeding, and to help you maintain good oral hygiene during the healing phase of your treatment.
  5. Follow-Up: Dr. Alm follows up with his patients to ensure they are healing properly and are comfortable with the results of their procedures. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to check for any problems and confirm that your results are optimal.

Why Choose Our Santa Fe Practice for Restorative Dentistry?

Dr. Alm has a varied background in dental restoration of all types through his work with the Minneapolis VA Center and the Red River Dental Access Project. He continues to expand his knowledge through dental study groups and coursework. You will discover compassionate, comfort-focused care at our Santa Fe office, whether your restoration needs are simple or complex. 

If you have a damaged, decayed, or missing tooth, an experienced restorative dentist in Santa Fe is just a phone call away. Contact us at Matthew J. Alm, DDS Phone Number (505) 983-6153 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Alm today.