Restorative Care
We’ll Fix Your Smile So It Works Like New
Got a chipped tooth or missing filling? We’ve got you covered. Whether it’s a simple tooth repair or a complete full mouth restoration, we make your smile feel brand new. We use strong, natural-looking options like bioactive fillings, inlays and onlays, and a dental crown when needed—all designed for your comfort and confidence. Every custom dental restoration is made to fit you, not just your teeth. Our procedures can protect your oral health, allow you to live with confidence, and help you eat your favorite foods in comfort.
At Harbor Lights Dental Care, we provide patients in Grand Haven, Norton Shores, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, and surrounding areas with natural-looking tooth restorations so they can feel good about their smiles. We use color guides to customize each restoration to ensure it seamlessly matches your surrounding teeth. That way, you’ll never have to worry about people noticing your dental work.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is designed to repair and restore the function of your smile. Missing teeth can make things like chewing and speaking difficult, and can also impact your oral health if left untreated. With restorative care, Dr. Pellegrom can strengthen your smile by filling the gaps in your teeth. This can protect you from additional tooth loss, periodontal disease, and other health issues.
At Harbor Lights Dental Care, we offer a variety of restorative dentistry procedures to meet all of your individual needs. We believe in a personalized approach to your dental care━so you can rest assured that when restoring your smile, we’ll do so with your personal goals in mind.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are a cost-effective way to restore damaged teeth, stop decay, and protect against further harm. Tooth-colored fillings blend in naturally, offering a seamless and 'invisible' repair.
Dr. Pellegrom also uses bioactive materials to not only fill cavities but also support tooth strength and health by remineralizing dentin beneath the enamel, protecting nerves and blood vessels. Nanofilled composites bond tightly to your tooth and mimic its natural color, helping prevent future decay while restoring natural function and appearance.
Inlays & Onlays
When a filling isn’t enough but a crown isn’t needed, inlays and onlays offer the perfect middle ground. These custom-made restorations repair teeth damaged by decay or cracks while preserving as much natural tooth as possible. Both are strong, natural-looking, and made to match your tooth’s shape and color.
They’re bonded in place to restore strength, function, and appearance—without removing healthy tooth structure. It’s a conservative, durable option for long-lasting restorative dentistry.
Dental Crown
A dental crown, also known as a tooth cap, is placed over the entire tooth surface to restore its natural shape and size. They’re used to effectively protect and strengthen a tooth that can’t be restored with dental fillings or other restorative options.
Crowns can also be used in conjunction with other dental procedures to provide additional protection and support. For example, Dr. Pellegrom may place a crown following root canal therapy or with a tooth restoration, such as a dental implant or partial denture.
Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth that are supported by natural teeth or dental implants. Dental bridges can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, or metal.
Dental bridges offer several benefits for restoring smiles, improving functionality, and supporting overall oral health. They can replace missing teeth, restore chewing and speaking ability, maintain facial structure, and prevent remaining teeth from shifting.
Full and Partial Dentures
If you’re missing an entire arch or all your teeth, dentures are an affordable, comfortable tooth replacement option. They’re custom-made from advanced acrylics, which provide a durable and more natural-looking restoration.
Harbor Lights Dental Care uses partial dentures to restore one or more missing teeth and prevent your natural teeth from shifting. While complete or full dentures are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth on your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal can save your natural tooth and eliminate severe pain caused by infection or deep decay. Instead of losing the tooth, this treatment cleans and seals it, restoring full function and appearance.
It prevents the spread of infection, protects surrounding teeth, and avoids costly replacements like implants. Root canals are safe, effective, and often no more uncomfortable than a regular filling—giving you long-term relief and a healthy smile.
You Can Enjoy Your Smile Again
Tooth loss and decay don’t have to control your life and destroy your smile. Dr. Pellegrom offers several restorative dental procedures that’ll make your smile look and feel whole again. If you’re a patient in Grand Haven, Norton Shores, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, or the surrounding areas and want to learn more about restoring your smile, give us a call at (616) 842-2850. Or, feel free to fill out our contact form and one of our dedicated team members will reach out to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is used to restore the function of your smile. When tooth loss, extraction, or severe damage to a tooth occurs, a restorative procedure is used to repair broken teeth or replace missing ones.
Cosmetic dentistry is used to improve the aesthetics of your teeth and smile. It can include treatments such as porcelain veneers and teeth whitening.
General dentistry focuses on the prevention and treatment of oral disease to maintain the overall health of your smile. This includes routine dental exams, teeth cleanings, and treatment of oral health complications such as decay and gum disease.
How long do you have to wait to get dentures after a tooth extraction?
After tooth extraction, it can take anywhere from six to eight weeks for your gums to heal before you can get fitted for dentures. This allows time for the swelling to dissipate and your new dentures will have a better fit, so your smile will be comfortable and built to last a lifetime.
What is the difference between a full and partial denture?
Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain and to fill the spaces created by missing teeth. These dentures prevent surrounding teeth from shifting and your facial structure from sinking in, giving you a beautiful new appearance
Complete or full dentures are used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth on your upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. In just four to six weeks, Dr. Leitner can restore the look, feel, and function of your natural smile.
When do I need a dental crown vs. a filling?
A filling is used for small to moderate decay. A crown is used when a tooth is severely weakened or damaged and needs full coverage for strength and protection.
How long do dental restorations last?
With proper care, fillings can last 5–10 years, crowns 10–15 years, and implants much longer. Regular checkups help extend their lifespan.