Losing teeth or dealing with failed dental treatments can feel overwhelming. It might even mean more trips to the dentist than you’d like. But don’t worry, Dr. Tom Trinkner is here to help. He offers restorative treatments and second opinions to help you get your smile back, both in how it looks and how it works.
With over 40 years of combined experience, our dental team is skilled at solving even the toughest dental problems. Dr. Trinkner isn’t just a dentist, he’s also a teacher who shares the latest techniques with other dentists. The best advancements in restorative and cosmetic dentistry happen when professionals work together. Dr. Trinkner is one of the most trusted restorative dentists in Columbia, SC.
At our Columbia dental office, we create custom treatments for missing teeth, worn or broken teeth, misshapen teeth, and other issues. After a thorough exam, we’ll put together a personalized plan based on your needs and goals. We will look at the health and function of your entire mouth to make sure everything works together perfectly.
Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
Before any restorative procedure, Dr. Trinkner will create a detailed treatment plan just for you. This plan will be based on diagnostic records, model work, and a consultation where we listen to your concerns and goals. Our restorative services will improve your oral health and the way your mouth works, bringing balance back to your smile. These services include dental bridges, periodontal therapy, dental crowns, dental implants, TMJ therapy, and more.
No matter what your dental needs are, we’re here to help you feel confident and comfortable with your smile again. Let’s work together to get your oral health back on track.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is an effective way to replace one or two missing teeth. It not only restores your mouth’s function but also improves the appearance of your smile. A dental bridge will make your smile look natural and help maintain the normal shape of your face.
Bridges also make sure that your other teeth don’t move into the gap and help your bite. By restoring your mouth’s normal functions, like speaking and eating, bridges help prevent future issues. To learn more about our dental bridge services, see Dental Bridges.
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal therapy is a treatment we offer to help treat and prevent gum disease. Common signs of gum disease include red, swollen, or tender gums. Other signs include bleeding when brushing or flossing, and receding gums that can cause loose teeth.
If you notice any of these symptoms or think you might have gum disease, get treatment right away to avoid further damage. To learn more about how we can help stop your bleeding gums, see Periodontal Therapy.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a restoration we use to cover and protect a damaged tooth. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over a damaged or decayed tooth, improving both its look and strength. Our dental crowns can help our patients in many ways, including:
- Restore a broken tooth
- Restore a worn-down tooth
- Protect a weakened tooth from breaking
- Cover a dental implant
- Protect a tooth after a root canal procedure
- Improve the look of a discolored or misshapen tooth
- Cover a large filling
Our porcelain crowns are popular because they last for many years, resist staining, and closely match the color of natural teeth. To learn more about our porcelain tooth crowns, see Dental Crowns.
Dental Implants
Dr. Trinkner offers affordable dental implants in Columbia, SC. Implants are a permanent and natural-looking solution for missing teeth. Dental implants help prevent further damage to your remaining teeth by replacing missing ones. The process involves placing a biocompatible titanium post into the jawbone to serve as an artificial root.
After the implant is placed, we attach an abutment and securely fit a prosthetic tooth on top. This tooth looks and works just like a natural one and will last for many years.
The dental implant procedure typically takes two or more visits to complete. We also offer aftercare to help ensure the implant’s success. A strong, healthy jawbone is needed for the procedure to work. To learn more about our dental implant services, see Dental Implants.
TMJ Therapy
Your oral health isn’t just about your teeth and gums. Your jaw joints, called temporomandibular joints (TMJ), are important for how comfortable and healthy your bite feels.
We offer TMJ therapy to help patients with jaw pain and other symptoms related to Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD). Issues with the TMJ can lead to bite problems that affect your teeth, gums, jaw, and overall mouth health.
Our dentists will start by assessing and diagnosing the problem. Once we know what’s wrong, we may suggest treatments like mouthguards, splints, or other dental appliances to ease discomfort. Medications can also help reduce inflammation and pain related to TMJ disorders.
We customize all treatments to fit each person’s specific needs, based on how severe the condition is. To learn more about our TMJ treatment services, see TMJ Therapy.
Restorative Dentistry Case
Mac came to our Columbia dental office by referral for management of extensive teeth grinding and tooth enamel erosion. Upon evaluation, we placed Mac in a Kois deprogrammer to relax his muscles. Using his diagnostic models, we were able to mock up a treatment design and plan.
The plan was to find a position to rebuild his mouth, prepare his teeth, and modify and test the treatment design in his mouth. Dr. Trinkner then duplicated the final temporary position onto a final restoration. See more restorative dentistry before & after photos in our Clinical Cases Gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance pay for tooth repairs?
Many dental insurance plans help pay for common fixes like fillings, crowns, and bridges. For bigger treatments like implants, coverage can be different for each plan. Our office will check your insurance details and explain what’s covered. We also have payment plans to help with costs insurance doesn’t cover.
How many years will my crown last?
A good dental crown can stay strong for 10-15 years if you take care of it. That means brushing twice daily, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly. Avoiding hard foods like ice or nuts helps too. With great care, some crowns last even longer before needing replacement.
Can I get dental implants if I have gum disease?
First, we need to make your gums healthy before placing implants. Gum disease can make implants fail, so we’ll treat that first. Dr. Trinkner will check if your jawbone is strong enough too. After your gums heal, we can safely plan your implant procedure.
Does TMJ treatment hurt?
TMJ therapy actually helps stop jaw pain, not cause more pain. The mouthguards or splints we use feel comfortable when worn. Most patients notice their jaw soreness getting better within weeks. We’ll adjust the fit if anything feels uncomfortable.
How long does it take to get a dental bridge?
Getting a bridge usually takes 2-3 appointments. First visit, we shape the teeth and make molds. Then a dental lab builds your custom bridge. At your next visit, we fit and adjust it perfectly. Temporary bridges keep you comfortable between visits.
What if I’m scared of dental work?
It’s normal to feel nervous, and we take that seriously. Our team moves gently and explains each step so you know what’s happening. You can take breaks anytime, and we have comfort options available. Many nervous patients become much more relaxed after their first visit with us.
Can I chew normally after tooth repairs?
Yes! Crowns, bridges and implants let you eat all your favorite foods again. You might need a few days to get used to how your new tooth feels. Start with softer foods at first if needed. Soon you’ll be chewing comfortably just like with natural teeth.
What’s the difference between a filling and a crown?
Fillings help you fix smaller cavities or minor tooth damage. The dentist removes the decayed part and fills the hole with tooth-colored material. Crowns are like caps that cover your entire tooth when there’s bigger damage or weakness. While fillings take just one visit, crowns usually need two appointments because they’re custom-made in a dental lab to fit perfectly over your tooth.
Can broken teeth always be saved?
Most broken teeth can be saved with modern dentistry. Small breaks might just need bonding. Bigger breaks often need crowns to protect what’s left of the tooth. Even if a tooth breaks at the gumline, we might still save it with special treatments. The only time we remove teeth is when they’re too damaged to repair, and then we’ll discuss replacement options like implants or bridges.
Why would I need a root canal before a crown?
You need a root canal when the soft inside part of your tooth gets infected or inflamed. After removing the infected pulp, the tooth becomes weaker and more likely to crack. That’s why we usually put a crown over it. The crown protects the tooth and lets you chew normally again. Think of it like putting a hard helmet over a fragile tooth so it can keep working after a root canal.
Request a Dental Exam Today
Our dental team strives to give you treatments that are as gentle as possible. We also take into account your bite and appearance to ensure the best results. If you have more questions or want to schedule a dental visit, call Dr. Trinkner’s office at 803-400-8729 or request an appointment online.