A cracked tooth, a missing molar, a filling that’s seen better days: these are the kinds of problems that need a real plan, not a patch. At Advanced Cosmetic and Family Dentistry of Olney, Dr. Archana M. Johnson has been handling exactly that for Olney and Montgomery County families for 17 years.
Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth to restore your smile’s health, function, and appearance. Treatments include fillings, crowns and bridges, inlays and onlays, dentures, TMJ treatment, and implant-supported restorations, depending on your individual needs.
Dr. Archana M. Johnson combines advanced training with more than 17 years of experience to create personalized treatment plans that prioritize long-term oral health. She takes the time to explain your options so you can make informed decisions about your care.
We proudly care for patients from Olney, Sandy Spring, Brookeville, Ashton, and throughout Montgomery County, providing comprehensive restorative care in one convenient location.
Dental fillings are the most routine restorative procedure we do, and we place tooth-colored composite resin so the result blends with the surrounding tooth. For decay that’s progressed further, or for a tooth that has cracked under pressure, a filling may not be enough. That’s when crowns, inlays, and onlays become the practical choice. Crowns and bridges are placed here with digital X-rays and intraoral scanning, which means Dr. Johnson gets precise measurements without the discomfort of traditional impression material.
Inlays and onlays sit between a filling and a crown in terms of how much tooth structure they cover. An inlay fills the space between the cusps of a tooth; an onlay extends over one or more of those cusps. They’re a good option when the damage is significant but a full crown would remove more healthy structure than necessary. We use them regularly for back teeth that take a lot of chewing force.
Dentures, including implant-supported options, address tooth loss at a larger scale. For patients who have lost several teeth or a full arch, we walk through the options honestly: what conventional dentures provide, where implant-supported restorations offer more stability, and what the timeline and cost look like for each path. TMJ treatment is also part of our restorative work, particularly for patients dealing with jaw pain, limited range of motion, or teeth that show uneven wear over time.
One of the more important calls in restorative dentistry is deciding when a tooth is worth saving and when extraction followed by replacement is the better long-term decision. Dr. Johnson approaches this practically. If the tooth has enough healthy structure and the surrounding bone is sound, restoration is usually the right move. If the decay has reached the root, or a fracture runs below the gumline, extraction may protect the teeth around it from further problems.
Digital panoramic imaging, available in our Olney office, gives Dr. Johnson a complete view of your teeth, roots, and bone in a single scan. That’s relevant not just for diagnosis but for planning. Knowing the state of the bone before recommending a bridge versus an implant-supported restoration changes the conversation. You’re not making a decision based on a partial picture.
For teeth that do need to come out, we coordinate with our oral surgery services so the transition from extraction to restoration happens under one roof. Patients coming in after a tooth has been dislodged by an injury, or after a long-standing problem finally becomes urgent, are also seen through our emergency dentistry schedule. The goal is to keep the gap in the schedule and the gap in your mouth as short as possible.
Most restorative treatment begins with a comprehensive dental exam and digital X-rays to identify the cause of the problem and determine the most appropriate treatment. If you’re experiencing pain or a damaged tooth, we’ll evaluate it right away. If a concern is found during a routine cleaning, we’ll explain our findings and discuss your treatment options before moving forward.
Treatment timelines vary depending on your needs. Some procedures, such as fillings, can often be completed in a single visit, while crowns, inlays, onlays, and more complex restorations may require multiple appointments. We’ll explain each step of your treatment plan so you know what to expect.
For restorations in highly visible areas, Dr. Johnson carefully considers both function and aesthetics. Using digital impressions with our intraoral scanner, we create precise, natural-looking restorations designed to fit comfortably and blend seamlessly with your smile.
Restorative dentistry is where insurance coverage tends to matter most to patients, and the honest answer is that coverage varies significantly depending on your plan, the procedure, and how your insurer classifies it. We take most major PPO plans both in-network and out-of-network. Before treatment starts, our team verifies your benefits and walks you through what your plan is likely to cover and what you’d be responsible for. We’d rather you ask up front than be surprised at checkout.
For treatment that runs beyond what insurance covers, or for patients without coverage, we offer payment plans through Sunbit. That gives you a practical way to break a larger restorative case, say a crown and two fillings, into monthly payments instead of one large out-of-pocket amount. You can ask about payment options when you call or when you come in for your consultation. There’s no pressure, just a clear picture of what’s available.
If you’re planning restorative work that connects to implants or oral surgery, those carry their own cost considerations that are worth reviewing separately. Dental implants, for example, are typically covered differently than crowns under most PPO plans. We’ll help you sort through the layers so the financial side of the plan is as clear as the clinical side.
A tooth that gets a crown when it first cracks is a different outcome than the same tooth ignored for two years. Restorative dentistry is largely about timing. Addressing decay or structural damage before it reaches the root or affects neighboring teeth keeps the treatment simpler and less costly over time. That’s not a sales pitch; it’s just how dental problems tend to progress.
The longer you’ve been a patient here, the more that history works in your favor. Dr. Johnson and the team can see how your teeth have changed over years of records, which makes it easier to catch something early and make a more accurate recommendation. Kids who started here for their first cleaning are still scheduling appointments when they’re home from college, and their parents are working through whatever restorative needs come with a few more decades of wear. That kind of continuity makes diagnosis more honest.
If you’re starting fresh with us and have restorative work that’s been deferred for a while, that’s fine too. We put together a plan that’s realistic for your schedule and budget, and we prioritize what needs attention first. Family dentistry under one roof means your preventive care and your restorative care stay coordinated with the same team, not spread across multiple offices.
