Restorative Dentistry

Fix what is failing. Keep what is sound.

Repair for teeth that are broken, decayed, worn, or previously restored and now failing. Serving Johnstown, NY and Fulton County.

Request an Evaluation Call (518) 762-4321 What we do Filling or crown?

Request an Appointment Call (518) 762-4321

Direct answer

Restorative dentistry in Johnstown, NY.

Dunlap Family Dentistry provides restorative dental care for adults and families across Johnstown and Fulton County. When a tooth is broken, decayed, worn, or previously restored and now failing, we work to protect what is sound and rebuild what is not. Every restorative plan starts with a straight conversation about what is happening, what your options are, and what you would like to do first.

Our approach

Slow down before you choose.

Restorative dentistry is the work of repairing teeth that have been damaged by decay, injury, wear, or age. The right answer is not always the biggest procedure. Sometimes the smallest reliable repair is the best one. Sometimes protecting a fragile tooth with a larger restoration is what keeps it in your mouth for another decade.

Our approach is to slow down before we choose. That means an unhurried examination, appropriate imaging, plain-language explanation of what we see, and a decision made with you rather than for you.

What restorative dentistry includes

What we do, in plain terms.

Fillings

Modern tooth-colored fillings restore teeth affected by decay or small fractures. We select the material and technique for the specific tooth, not by default.

Crowns

A crown is a laboratory-made cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth. It is the right choice when a tooth is too damaged or too weakened for a filling to protect it reliably.

Bridges

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to healthy adjacent teeth. Depending on your situation, a bridge, a partial denture, or an implant-supported restoration may be the better fit. Compare tooth-replacement options.

Implant restorations

If you have or are considering a dental implant, we can help with the crown, bridge, or denture that sits on the implant. Our focus is on the restoration. When surgical placement is part of the plan, that step is done by a surgeon. We keep a list of surgeons we are comfortable recommending, and which one places your implant is your choice, not ours.

Root canal therapy

We perform straightforward root canal treatment in the office when the tooth, the canal anatomy, and your comfort with the procedure all fit. More complex cases, retreatments, and molars with challenging anatomy are referred to a trusted local endodontist so you get the right level of specialization the first time. We tell you honestly which category your tooth falls into before we begin.

Extractions

Sometimes a tooth cannot be saved, or saving it would cost you more over time than replacing it would. We perform simple extractions, surgical extractions, and wisdom tooth removal at the office, decided case by case after we look at the tooth and an X-ray. Some cases belong with an oral surgeon instead, and the most common reason is sedation: we do not sedate patients in this office. If your case calls for it, we will tell you that before we start rather than partway through.

Phased treatment plans

For larger cases, we typically stage the work so you can pace it around your schedule and your budget.

How we decide: filling or crown?

Why the recommendation is what it is.

The question we hear most often about restorative treatment is why the recommendation is a crown instead of a filling. That question deserves a real answer.

We usually recommend a filling when

The area of damage is small to moderate
Most of the natural tooth is still sound
The tooth is not cracked below the gumline
The bite forces on that tooth are not concentrated in one place

We usually recommend a crown when

The tooth is broken or heavily decayed and a filling would not hold reliably
The tooth has a crack that runs into the structural part of the tooth
The tooth has already had a large filling that is now failing
The tooth has had root canal treatment and needs full-coverage protection
The bite forces on that tooth are high (a molar in heavy chewing use)

If the answer is not obvious, we say so. Sometimes we monitor a borderline tooth for a short period before committing to the larger repair.

Phased care for larger cases

Each visit has a clear purpose.

When a mouth needs several restorations, we do not usually try to do everything at once. Phased care is easier on your body, easier on your schedule, and easier on your budget.

Phase 1: Comfort and control. Address the tooth that hurts, the infection that needs to be treated, or the restoration that is likely to fail next.
Phase 2: Function. Restore the teeth that are affecting your ability to chew, speak, or clean effectively.
Phase 3: Long-term stability. Complete restorations that will hold the results in place and prevent the next round of problems.

Phasing does not mean stalling. Each visit protects the last one.

What we do not claim

Honest care is easier to sustain.

We do not promise painless treatment. Discomfort varies, and we will tell you what to expect.
We do not promise a specific lifespan for a filling, crown, bridge, or root canal.
We do not diagnose a tooth over the internet. If something is happening, come in.
We do not push the largest treatment when a smaller one is likely to be reliable.

When to call now

Some situations should not wait.

A tooth that is causing pain that is keeping you up
A broken tooth with a sharp edge or exposed nerve
A crown, filling, or bridge that has come loose
A dental abscess (a painful, pus-filled bump on the gum)
Swelling in the face or gums that is getting worse

If any of these describe your situation, call the office or see urgent dental care.

Cost and payment

Know the cost before the work begins.

Before treatment starts, we walk through what the work involves and put the estimate in writing. Larger treatment can usually be staged so you can pace the visits and the cost.

For work that takes more than one visit, such as a crown, a bridge or a denture, the cost is spread across those appointments and the balance is due on the day we deliver the finished restoration.

Questions about insurance or payment? Call (518) 762-4321 and we will talk it through. You can also read how paying for care works.

From Google reviews

What patients say.

★★★★★

“Doctors and staff are all absolutely amazing here!! They gave me my smile back”

Sandra K. · Google review

★★★★★

“Dr. Dunlap had went above & beyond for my smile! The staff are so friendly, from the front desk reception to the ladies in the back.”

Chrissy H. · Google review

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions.

Can a badly damaged tooth still be saved?

Often yes. Whether a tooth can be saved depends on how much sound structure remains, whether the crack extends below the gumline, whether the nerve is still healthy, and whether the tooth supports a functional bite. We tell you honestly what we see and what the realistic options are.

Do I need a crown or is a filling enough?

The answer depends on how much of the natural tooth is still sound and how much force that tooth carries. A filling is usually enough when most of the tooth is intact. A crown is usually the better choice when the tooth is fractured, heavily decayed, or protecting older restorations that are now failing.

Do you perform root canal treatment?

We perform straightforward root canal treatment in the office. More complex cases, retreatments, and molars with challenging anatomy are referred to a trusted local endodontist. We tell you honestly which category your tooth falls into.

How long does a filling, crown, or bridge last?

Longevity depends on the material, the tooth, your bite, your home care, and time. We do not offer a specific guarantee. We tell you what is reasonable to expect and what will help it last.

Can dental treatment be broken into smaller steps?

Yes. For larger plans, we stage the work into logical phases so you can pace the visits and the cost. Each step has a clear purpose.

Do you place dental implants?

Our focus is on the restoration of dental implants, meaning the crown, bridge, or denture that sits on the implant. When surgical placement is part of your treatment, the choice of surgeon is yours, from a list we are comfortable recommending.

Do you do extractions?

Yes. We perform simple extractions, surgical extractions, and wisdom tooth removal, decided case by case. Cases that would require sedation are referred to an oral surgeon, because we do not sedate patients in the office.

Do you remove wisdom teeth?

In some cases, yes. It depends on the position of the tooth, the roots, and whether sedation would be needed. We will look at an X-ray and tell you honestly whether the extraction belongs here or with an oral surgeon.

When is payment due for a crown or bridge?

For treatment that takes more than one visit, the cost is spread across those appointments and the balance is due on the day we deliver the finished crown or bridge. We put the estimate in writing before the work begins.

Ready when you are