When deep decay that is close to the tooth pulp is present in a tooth, many times it requires a root canal. In this 35 year old patient, Dr. Gentry restores her upper bicuspid tooth without a root canal or crown. Gentry cleans out the decay, places a Vitrabond glass ionomer pulp cap, and places a Herculite composite restoration, using the Garrison Matrix System.
Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not cleaning your teeth well. Cavities and tooth decay are among the world’s most common health problems.
If cavities aren’t treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead to severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay.
Some examples of Dr. Gentry fixing patient’s dental cavities:
Dr. Gentry repairs a chipped front tooth.
In these 2 examples of immediate partial dentures, Dr. Gentry extracts the patients broken, decayed, hopeless teeth and places the partial denture at the same visit. Following healing dental implants, fixed bridges or a flexible partial denture will be fabricated.
Another extraction and immediate partial denture case of Dr. Gentry’s replacing one upper front tooth.
Repair of a chipped front tooth on a 27 year old female patient by Dr. Gentry.
1. Porcelain crown, gold screw, custom abutment.
2. Upper implant.
3. Custom abutment screwed into place.
4. X-ray of custom abutment confirming perfect fit.
5. Porcelain crown cemented over abutment.
Another option to replace missing teeth is to make a dental bridge attached to the patient’s teeth. This is also called a fixed partial denture and is cemented to the teeth on either side of the missing teeth.
Fixed upper bridge placed by Dr. Gentry
1. A 62 year old female patient with broken decayed front teeth.
2. Dr. Gentry was able to build up and restore her remaining front teeth and cement a 6 unit porcelain fused to metal bridge.
3. The bridge.
Another example of a bridge by Dr. Gentry
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Dental implants are often the best treatment for missing teeth. When a damaged or decayed tooth is removed, both the visible part of the tooth, called the crown, and the root are lost.
A dental implant is placed in the jawbone so that it can fuse with your natural bone and become a strong and sturdy foundation for replacement teeth. Implants can be used to replace an individual tooth or for an implant-supported bridge or denture containing multiple teeth.
Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. They will allow you to confidently eat, smile, laugh, talk, play and enjoy all of your regular activities of everyday life without thinking about your teeth.
Dental implant bridge case by Dr. Gentry on a 55 year old male patient.
1. Hopeless decayed teeth that were under a 20 year old bridge.
2. Teeth extracted, bone grafts placed and following healing, 2 dental implants placed.
3. View of dental implants. I also placed a porcelain crown on the tooth in front of the first implant.
4. Patient stone models, implant custom abutments, screws, and porcelain bridge.
5. Custom abutments placed into the implants.
6. Porcelain bridge cemented over the dental implant abutments.
 1831 Wilson Boulevard Arlington 22201703-522-7733 www.caringdentists.com |
This will be Dr. Philip Gentry’s 25th year in practice in Arlington, and he’s enthusiastic about how things have changed. “I wanted to be in an exciting, growing area near the city and close to Metro,” he says, “but I had no idea how vibrant Arlington would become. It’s as exciting as our advancements in dentistry. I love it here!”Dr. Gentry, his partners and patients appreciate the trend toward cosmetic dentistry. Fillings are practically invisible. More teeth are saved with better care and implants. Dentures have become rare. High-tech equipment includes powerful magnification glasses and the Intra-Oral camera that provides a virtual tour of the mouth.Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Dr. Gentry stayed close to home, graduating with honors from George Washington University and then attending dental school at Georgetown University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He spent summers doing research at NIH. Dr. Gentry has been awarded the prestigious Fellowship in The Academy of General Dentistry.Dr. Gentry developed a loyal following from the start, evidenced by families who’ve moved far from Arlington but still make the trip in to see the dentist they love. Foreign Service officers text Dr. Gentry to ask him to squeeze them in when they fly in for a State Department briefing.Dr. Gentry treasures his patient relationships and always obliges, even staying late or coming in early to accommodate them. He jokes that his smiles are representing the United States and need to look their best. “I feel so fortunate to have a profession where I can make a difference in the world,” he says, “one smile at a time.”Article published in Arlington Magazine December 2013 |