Accepting New Patients in Spokane, WA
Restorative Dentistry in Spokane, WA
Summit Family & Cosmetic Dentistry provides tooth replacement options to improve patient’s health, boost their confidence, and allow them to live their life with no restraints.
A damaged, cracked, or aching tooth can change your daily life, making simple pleasures like eating a meal or laughing with friends feel stressful. When dental discomfort or missing teeth hold you back, modern restorative dental care offers a clear path toward renewed oral health, full chewing function, and natural aesthetics.
At Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Anibal Lopez combines clinical skill, state-of-the-art dental technology, and a patient-first philosophy to restore damaged teeth and protect your long-term wellness.
Ready to reclaim a strong, healthy smile? Call our Spokane dentist at (509) 466-1200 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Lopez. We also welcome families from Mead, Colbert, and Nine Mile Falls.
Why Choose Our Spokane Dental Office for Smile Restoration?
When you are dealing with broken, decayed, or missing teeth, choosing the right practice means finding a team that respects your time, eases your anxiety, and delivers lasting results. At Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Lopez combines clinical skill with advanced technology to rebuild your smile comfortably under one roof.
- 17+ Years of Experience: Graduating from Marquette University in 2009, Dr. Lopez brings over 17 years of Washington clinical experience in advanced restorative dentistry, endodontics, and cosmetics.
- Single-Visit CEREC Technology: We design, mill, and place permanent porcelain crowns in just one afternoon—eliminating messy impression putty, temporary plastic caps, and repeat visits.
- All-in-One Comprehensive Services: From minor tooth-colored fillings to dental implant restorations, your entire care plan happens in one familiar North Spokane office.
- Welcoming, Bilingual Environment: Dr. Lopez provides honest, transparent, and non-judgmental care for all generations (Hablamos Español).
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry refers to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases, tooth decay, and structural trauma. The goal is simple: save as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, rebuild full chewing power, and preserve the balance of your bite.
Whether you damaged a molar enjoying local treats at Green Bluff, cracked a tooth during a workout near the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, or simply need to replace an old, failing metal filling, restorative procedures strengthen your mouth while blending seamlessly into your natural smile.
General dentistry focuses primarily on preventative care, routine cleanings, and diagnostic exams to keep teeth healthy. Restorative dentistry focuses specifically on diagnosing and repairing teeth damaged by decay, physical trauma, structural wear, or disease, restoring both full function and natural appearance.
If a tooth has a small cavity or minor surface wear, a composite filling offers sufficient support. However, if decay affects a large portion of the tooth, or if the enamel has deep cracks or has undergone root canal therapy, Dr. Lopez recommends a CEREC same-day crown to cover and protect the remaining tooth structure.
Not at all! Dr. Lopez prioritizes your comfort during every procedure. Local anesthesia numbs the treatment area completely before any work begins. For patients who feel anxious or nervous about dental visits, our office offers safe oral conscious sedation to help you feel completely relaxed throughout your appointment.
Most dental insurance policies offer coverage for necessary restorative procedures, including fillings, crowns, root canals, and bridges. Our experienced team at Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry helps verify your specific insurance benefits, maximize your policy coverage, and offer flexible financing options like CareCredit to keep care accessible.
Dental Implants
Missing teeth make eating your favorite foods and smiling around friends tough. Over time, empty spaces in your mouth can cause neighboring teeth to shift, leading to jawbone loss and changes in your facial shape.
Dental implants act like new, permanent tooth roots inserted into your jaw, holding a custom replacement tooth firmly in place. They are the only tooth replacement option that keeps your jawbone strong while looking and feeling like natural teeth. Dr. Lopez can evaluate your mouth to see if dental implants are the right choice for your smile.
Dental Bridges & Crowns
If you have a broken, deeply decayed, or missing tooth, dental crowns and bridges offer a permanent fix. A crown caps and protects a weak tooth, while a bridge fills a gap by anchoring a replacement tooth to neighboring natural teeth or implants.
Unlike dentures, these custom porcelain restorations stay fixed in your mouth—no slipping, no messy glues, and no taking them out at night. Dr. Lopez will examine your teeth during your visit and help you pick the best repair so you can eat, talk, and smile comfortably again.
Same-Day CEREC Crowns
Fixing a broken tooth used to mean two or three office visits, messy physical mold impressions, and wearing a temporary plastic cap for weeks. With our in-office CEREC technology, Dr. Lopez fixes your tooth in just one visit.
We take a quick, comfortable 3D digital scan of your mouth—no gagging on messy impression putty. Our computer system then carves a permanent, high-strength porcelain crown right in our North Spokane office in about 20 minutes. You walk out the door the very same day with a fully restored tooth.
Dentures
Replacing a full arch or multiple missing teeth doesn’t have to be stressful or overly expensive. Modern dentures give you back full chewing power, make speaking clear again, and support your cheeks and lips so your face maintains its natural, youthful shape.
At Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer full dentures, partial dentures, and secure implant-supported dentures that snap firmly into place. Dr. Lopez works with you to craft a comfortable, natural-looking set of teeth that lets you eat and laugh with complete confidence.
How Dr. Lopez Helps You Choose the Right Restoration
One of the most common questions patients ask is, “Which restorative dental treatment is best for me?” The answer depends on your specific situation.
A filling may be enough for a small cavity. A larger crack may require a crown. One missing tooth may be replaced with a bridge or dental implant. Several missing teeth may call for dentures, implant-supported treatment, or another restorative solution.
During your consultation with Dr. Lopez, your care may involve:
- A thorough dental examination
- Digital imaging or other diagnostic technology when appropriate
- A discussion about your symptoms and concerns
- An explanation of your available treatment options
- A conversation about the benefits and limitations of each option
- A clear plan for restoring your oral health
For patients with dental anxiety, Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry also offers sedation options. Dr. Lopez is licensed to provide oral sedation, giving eligible patients another way to receive needed dental treatment more comfortably.
Caring for Your Restored Teeth for Long-Lasting Results
A restored tooth can last for decades when paired with proper daily care and routine checkups. Protecting your investment requires simple daily habits:
- Brush Twice Daily: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean all surfaces, including the margin where your crown or filling meets natural tooth enamel.
- Floss Daily: Floss between every tooth daily to clear plaque and food particles from gums and tooth margins.
- Avoid Hard Objects: Avoid chewing ice or hard candies, or using your teeth as tools to open packaging, which can chip both natural enamel and ceramic porcelain.
- Protect Against Nighttime Grinding: If you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, ask Dr. Lopez about a custom nightguard to shield your natural teeth and restorations from excessive wear.
- Maintain Routine Cleanings: Visit Dr. Lopez twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups to catch minor issues before they disrupt your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
General dentistry focuses primarily on preventative care, routine cleanings, and diagnostic exams to keep teeth healthy. Restorative dentistry focuses specifically on diagnosing and repairing teeth damaged by decay, physical trauma, structural wear, or disease, restoring both full function and natural appearance.
If a tooth has a small cavity or minor surface wear, a composite filling offers sufficient support. However, if decay affects a large portion of the tooth, or if the enamel has deep cracks or has undergone root canal therapy, Dr. Lopez recommends a CEREC same-day crown to cover and protect the remaining tooth structure.
Not at all! Dr. Lopez prioritizes your comfort during every procedure. Local anesthesia numbs the treatment area completely before any work begins. For patients who feel anxious or nervous about dental visits, our office offers safe oral conscious sedation to help you feel completely relaxed throughout your appointment.
Most dental insurance policies offer coverage for necessary restorative procedures, including fillings, crowns, root canals, and bridges. Our experienced team at Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry helps verify your specific insurance benefits, maximize your policy coverage, and offer flexible financing options like CareCredit to keep care accessible.
Reclaim Your Comfort, Confidence, and Health Today
Living with tooth pain, avoiding your favorite foods, or hiding your smile during family photos takes a real toll on your daily happiness. Rebuilding a strong, beautiful, and fully functional smile is easier and more comfortable than ever before.
At Summit Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Lopez and our compassionate, bilingual team are dedicated to giving you the gentle, respectful care you deserve. Call our Spokane dental practice at (509) 466-1200 to schedule your non-judgmental dental consultation.