Panhandle Dental Care Darren Chu DDS Panhandle Dental Care Darren Chu DDS

Restorative Dentistry in Anaheim Hills

The Care You Need Right in Your Anaheim Hills Community.

Darren Chu DDS
 

Restorative dentistry covers the work that repairs a tooth that is damaged, decayed or missing, and gets your bite functioning again. Dr. Chu has been doing this in Anaheim Hills for over 30 years.

What we treat and how

Tooth-coloured fillings. Composite resin bonded straight into the cavity in one visit. It matches the surrounding tooth and needs less drilling than the silver amalgam it replaced. More on swapping silver fillings for tooth-coloured ones.

Inlays and onlays. For damage too large for a filling but not large enough to need a full crown. Made in a lab and bonded in, they preserve more of the natural tooth than a crown does.

Crowns. A cap that covers the whole tooth, used after a root canal, a large fracture or when a tooth has been rebuilt too many times. Porcelain and zirconia crowns match the shade of your other teeth and typically last ten to fifteen years. See what the crown procedure involves.

Bridges. A run of replacement teeth anchored to the healthy teeth either side of a gap. Fixed in place, so nothing comes out at night.

Root canal treatment. When decay or a crack reaches the nerve, the infected tissue is removed, the canal is sealed, and the tooth is crowned. It saves a tooth that would otherwise be extracted. Why a root canal is sometimes the only option.

Dentures, full and partial. Removable replacements for several or all teeth. They need relining every few years as the jawbone underneath changes shape. Why dentures stop fitting.

Dental implants. A titanium post placed into the jaw that carries a crown, bridge or denture. The only option that replaces the root as well as the tooth, which is what stops the bone shrinking. See our implant dentistry page.

Choosing between the options

For a single missing tooth, an implant avoids cutting down the healthy teeth either side, which a bridge requires. A bridge is quicker and cheaper up front. For several missing teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge usually costs less than one implant per tooth. For a full arch, the choice is between a conventional denture and one clipped onto implants, and it comes down to how much bone is left and what you can spend.

Where a tooth can be saved, saving it is almost always the better outcome. Nothing replaces a natural tooth exactly. Why replacing a missing tooth matters even if it does not show.

What to expect

Treatment starts with an exam and x-rays so we can see what is happening below the gum line. You get a written plan with the sequence of visits and the cost of each stage before anything is booked. Most restorative work is done under local anaesthetic; nitrous oxide is available if you find dental treatment difficult.

Book a restorative consultation

Darren Chu DDS is at 6200 E Canyon Rim Road, Suite 210E, Anaheim, CA 92807, open Tuesday to Thursday 7:15am to 5:00pm and Friday 7:15am to 2:00pm. Call 714-637-8003.

 
Fillings

Fillings

If you’re in need of a dental filling, you’re not alone. As one of the most common dental restorations performed, dental fillings help stop decay from spreading. Our dental fillings match your enamel, as we use tooth-colored composite resin. When cured, the filling feels natural, and you can use your teeth to eat, drink, chew, and speak like always. The whole treatment is quick, and our fillings are durable. Stop decay before it becomes a larger complication.

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

Porcelain Inlays/Onlays

If your teeth have succumbed to a moderate amount of decay, a traditional composite filling may not be a suitable restoration. In these circumstances, we can recommend a porcelain inlay or onlay restoration, depending on the area needing repair. Inlays sit atop the interior biting surface of the tooth, up to the cusps. Onlays do the same but extend over the cusps to the exterior area of the tooth. Both are crafted from high-quality porcelain and can help to strengthen the integrity of the tooth. Often, teeth repaired with inlays or onlays do not require additional support with a dental crown, making them a convenient and affordable option.

Crowns/Bridges

Crowns/Bridges

Broken, damaged teeth can be easily restored with a dental crown, a tooth-shaped cap that fits over your existing tooth. We’ll create a perfect impression of your tooth and send it to our off-site lab, where your beautiful new restoration will be crafted with skill and precision. We’ll secure a temporary crown until your permanent restoration can be bonded. Our dental crowns will fit just right, and you’ll only notice how great your new tooth looks. We use crowns to stabilize weakened teeth, whether from decay or endodontic therapy or to anchor a fixed bridge.

Dental bridges are fixed prosthetics that can be used to replace either a single missing tooth or a series of teeth. Anchored by dental crowns on each side of the gap where the former teeth used to be, natural-looking prosthetics replace the missing teeth and create a seamless, beautiful restoration. We ensure a perfect, comfortable fit and that each prosthetic mimics your existing teeth for a natural appearance. Both crowns and bridges from Darren Chu DDS are always metal-free.

Partials

Partials

If you’ve lost a few teeth, but have some healthy natural teeth remaining, partials are an option to replace the teeth you’re missing. We craft prosthetic teeth which suit your facial aesthetics and stop your natural teeth from shifting. Unlike a dental bridge, partial dentures are removable, held in place by metal clasps on your existing teeth. We’ll ensure a comfortable fit and show you the proper way to care for your new restoration.

Dentures

Dentures

When you’ve lost an entire arch of teeth, no matter what the reason, your smile doesn’t have to suffer. We’ll create a custom set of stunning prosthetics, which appear so natural, no one will know you weren’t born with them. Using natural suction, your new dentures will fit securely and comfortably in your mouth, and you’ll be able to talk, eat, and smile with confidence. You deserve a full, complete smile. Let Darren Chu DDS help you get it!

Gum Surgery

Gum Surgery

We’re happy to offer periodontal surgery procedures to our patients with receding gum tissue, deep gum pockets, overgrowth of gum tissue, or who require regeneration of gum tissue. Whether for cosmetic purposes or to help reduce bad bacteria, periodontal surgery helps to stimulate healthy tissue. No matter which type of gum surgery you’re having, we’ll ensure your comfort throughout the entire procedure, and you’ll be amazed at the results!

Endodontics

Endodontics

Endodontic therapy is commonly known as a “root canal,” and unfortunately, there’s a lot of negative perception about discomfort during the procedure. However, root canals actually relieve discomfort caused by infected dental pulp. If a tooth becomes badly infected, it can cause an abscess, which can be incredibly painful. Instead of extracting the tooth, if it can be saved, we’ll perform an endodontic procedure to remove the infection and restore health to your smile. We’ll evaluate your individual case, and while we perform both anterior and molar endodontics, we may refer you to a skilled specialist if needed.

Oral Surgery

Oral Surgery

If your natural tooth can’t be saved and you require an extraction, we’re here for you. Oral surgery may seem overwhelming, but we’ll keep you informed during each step of the process, from initial consultation to the surgery and aftercare. You can be confident in the care we provide and know you’re in the very best hands. Dr. Chu performs minor extractions right in our office with the team you trust. We can even handle more advanced cases, such as wisdom teeth or bony impactions, for patients who don’t require general anesthesia.

Get the complete, functional smile you deserve.

Call us now to schedule an appointment for restorative care!