Our restorative dentistry services.

Restorative Dentist
La Jolla, CA

Your smile is naturally a focal point of your face. It often plays a major role in how you are perceived by others and how you see yourself. In some cases, only a few minor adjustments are needed to achieve the smile you desire. Thanks to changes in modern dentistry, we are now capable of manufacturing and installing esthetic materials that will function as your own natural teeth.
Dental implant cross-section diagram showing tooth structure, implant screw, and crown placement in jawbone.

Implants

Dental implant cross-section diagram showing tooth structure, implant screw, and crown placement in jawbone.

Dental implants offer a lasting solution for replacing missing teeth, providing a natural look, feel, and function. Say goodbye to the discomfort of dentures or bridges—dental implants give you back the ability to eat, speak, and smile with ease and confidence. These implants are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.

Whether you're replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all of your teeth, dental implants deliver exceptional results in both appearance and function.

The process involves placing titanium cylinders into the jawbone where teeth are missing. This surgical procedure allows the bone to bond with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for your new teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implants, protruding through the gums to provide stable support for your artificial replacement teeth. Dental implants not only restore your smile but also help preserve your facial structure by preventing further bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing.

With dental implants from a skilled restorative dentist in La Jolla, you can enjoy a permanent, functional, and aesthetically pleasing solution to tooth loss, improving your chewing ability, food digestion, and overall confidence. Get the smile you've always wanted!

Dental X-ray showing upper and lower teeth with multiple implants in place.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

Full Mouth reconstruction is used to rebuild and restore all of the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. This treatment is developed for you alone. Full mouth reconstruction may utilize dental implants, crown, bridges or other procedures. We are dedicated to providing you the least invasive treatment that will return function and a great look to your smile.
Before and after dental implant restoration showing tooth replacement and cosmetic improvement.

Cosmetic Fillings

Before and after dental implant restoration showing tooth replacement and cosmetic improvement.
Dr. Cunningham has developed a term called Custom Composite Resins (CCR’s.) Nothing but the best and strongest most durable materials are used in this technique. These are direct composite resin fillings that are bonded to the teeth with a high strength bonding system. Many times these suffice instead of crowns. Multiple layers of different shades of composite resin are applied to achieve the most natural looking result. They are then sculpted, finished highly polished, and or sealed to give a beautiful and durable final result.
Dental implant diagram showing tooth structure, crown placement, and jawbone integration for implant dentistry.

Crowns

Crowns are used to strengthen and improve the shape, size or color of teeth. They can support cracked, broken or weak teeth or those with large fillings; provide a smooth, strong, attractively contoured surface for stained, misshapen or otherwise abnormal teeth; and aid in the implantation of bridges and other implants. Crowns can be color- matched to your existing teeth and are made from the highest quality materials.
Anatomical cross-section diagram of a tooth showing internal pulp structure and surrounding gum tissue.

Endodontics

Root canals can prevent tooth loss when there is damage to the soft core of the tooth (the pulp). Despite its reputation as a painful ordeal, nowadays it is not necessary to feel any discomfort during a root canal procedure. During the procedure, the tooth is anesthetized, the damaged pulp is removed, the root canal is cleaned, disinfected, filled/sealed, and a crown is bonded to the tooth to maintain strength.
Dental inlay and onlay comparison showing tooth restoration options on molars in gum tissue.

Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and onlays allow for minimal tooth reduction and provide the strength of a dental crown. This is a more conservative approach than a crown.
Dental implant model showing tooth replacement procedure with crown and implant components on pink base.

Bridges

Bridges are natural-looking tooth replacements which help maintain chewing ability, reduce stress on the jaw and fill in the gaps caused by missing teeth. Fixed bridges are cemented to the existing teeth and do not come out. With the coming of age of dental implants, bridges are becoming less frequently used.
Complete dentures displayed showing upper and lower dental prosthetics in natural tooth-colored acrylic material.

Full Dentures & Partial Dentures

Complete dentures displayed showing upper and lower dental prosthetics in natural tooth-colored acrylic material.

Patients who have lost their natural teeth due to decay, periodontal disease, or injury can experience a range of issues, including further decay, difficulty eating, speaking, and sagging facial muscles. Full and partial dentures are an effective solution to restore both the appearance and function of your smile. Full dentures are ideal when all natural teeth are missing, while partial dentures fill the gaps between remaining teeth. Regular cleaning of the gums, dentures, and any remaining natural teeth is essential to prevent staining, sores, and plaque buildup.

Today, many patients choose dentures supported by dental implants from a skilled restorative dentist in La Jolla, enhancing both comfort and confidence. With implant-supported dentures, patients enjoy improved aesthetics and a more secure, comfortable fit compared to traditional dentures. These modern solutions restore not just the smile, but the ability to eat, speak, and feel great again.