A Conservative Dentist Who Saves What's Healthy
A conservative dentist keeps as much of your natural tooth as possible, repairs only what needs it, and treats why the tooth failed so the repair lasts. At SMILES ON 35th, Dr. Rubecca Shahid brings that approach to all restorative dentistry, from a cracked tooth to replacing missing teeth.
Looking for a conservative dentist in Seattle? Care to restore your smile starts with a comprehensive exam.
Breaking the repair cycle
Each repair removes a little more tooth, and the next one gets bigger. It doesn't have to go that way.
Maybe a filling was replaced with a bigger one, then a crown, and now there's talk of a root canal or an implant. Every repair seems to lead to the next, and you're left wondering how much of your own tooth is left.
Conservative restorative dentistry breaks that cycle two ways. First, we keep as much natural tooth as possible, bonding repairs to healthy tooth instead of cutting it down. Second, we look for why the tooth failed, such as grinding, an uneven bite or decay risk, and treat that too. Conservative means preserving what can be saved, not holding back care your tooth needs.
See what your first visit includesWhich repair fits your tooth?
Each of these services answers a different situation. Your exam shows which one will keep the most natural tooth and last.
Biomimetic Dentistry
For cracked teeth, deep cavities or a crown recommendation: repairs that bond to healthy tooth and lower the chance of root canals.
Explore biomimetic dentistry
Same Day Crowns
Crowns and many bridges designed and milled in our office in one visit, with no temporary.
Explore same-day crowns
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Every filling is biomimetic: metal-free, bonded in place, and blends in completely, with only the decay removed.
Explore tooth-colored fillings
Dental Implants
Replace a missing tooth with an implant planned in 3D, with metal-free ceramic options and crowns made in-house.
Explore dental implants
Dentures
Complete, partial and implant-supported dentures planned to fit well and stay put.
Explore dentures
Full Mouth Reconstruction
For many worn, broken or failing teeth: one phased plan that rebuilds the bite and ends the repair cycle.
Explore full mouth reconstruction
Tooth Extractions
Gentle removal when a tooth can't be saved, with the replacement planned before it comes out.
Explore tooth extractions
Dental Emergency
Same-day emergency appointments for pain, swelling or a broken tooth.
Explore emergency care
What conservative care protects
Repairing teeth conservatively, and treating the cause, changes what the next 20 years look like for your smile. Here's what that means for you, tooth by tooth.
Bonded repairs and biomimetic crowns cover only what needs it, so healthy enamel and dentin stay where they belong.
Keeping tooth structure and bonding to it lowers the chance of cracks reaching the nerve. Fewer than 1% of teeth Dr. Shahid treats with biomimetic dentistry need a root canal.
Treating grinding, bite problems and decay risk alongside the repair means it isn't undone by the same cause, so you're not back in the chair for the same tooth.
Same-day crowns, in-house implant crowns and 3D imaging in our office mean less time in the chair and fewer trips. Your time matters, and our planning reflects that.
Where are you starting from?
A single cracked or broken tooth. An old filling that's failing or a crown recommendation you want to question. One or more missing teeth. Or wear and damage across many teeth after years of grinding and repairs.
Wherever you're starting, a comprehensive exam shows what can be saved, what needs repair, and which option will last.
Book your comprehensive exam
From diagnosis to a lasting repair
Find what failed, and why
We examine the tooth and your bite with digital X-rays, a 3D scan and 3D imaging when needed.
See it on screen
Dr. Shahid shows you the damage and explains each option, its tradeoffs and its cost.
The most conservative repair
We choose the least invasive option that will last, often completed in one visit with CEREC.
Protect the result
We address grinding, bite forces or decay risk so your repair isn't undone by the same cause.
A gentle dentist who champions your lifelong health
Dr. Rubecca Shahid owns SMILES ON 35th in Wedgwood and leads your care herself, gently and with time to listen. Her own health struggles, then her mother's diagnosis, left her asking what the point of all our hard work is without the health to enjoy it. Longevity dentistry is her answer: care that protects your mouth and your health, so you can enjoy the life you're building.
Her care is conservative: she saves natural tooth wherever she can, chooses the least invasive option that will last, and recommends only treatment that truly helps you. When a tooth needs more, she shows you why. She is empathetic and thorough, with clear choices and no pressure.
She champions your long-term health and has trained to deliver on it. A Kois Center graduate, one of about 1,200 dentists worldwide, she completes nearly eight times the continuing education Washington requires every year. Her training spans prevention, function and sleep, restoration and smile design, so one dentist who knows you can plan each stage, close to home.
- Advanced training in diagnosis, treatment planning and bite stabilization from the Kois Center
- Biomimetic Dentistry Practitioner with mastership from the Alleman Center
- Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
I came to longevity dentistry through my own health journey, wanting to understand why problems start and how to prevent them. What I needed then is what I want for you now: more good years, a smile you feel good about, and a dentist who listens.
The training and tools behind every repair
Conservative dentistry takes specific training and the right equipment under one roof. These are the specifics behind every repair at SMILES ON 35th.
Biomimetic mastership
Dr. Shahid holds a Mastership in biomimetic dentistry from the Alleman Center, and places implants herself.
CEREC in our office
Crowns, bridges and implant crowns are designed and milled here, often in one visit.
3D imaging
In-office CBCT shows roots, bone and nerves, so implants and complex repairs are planned in 3D.
Every crown and filling is biomimetic
Every crown, filling and bridge we place keeps as much healthy tooth as possible and bonds to what remains.
What Our Patients Say About Us
Real experiences from patients who've discovered why our gentle care and comfortable atmosphere make dental visits something to look forward to.
Restorative dentistry questions
A conservative dentist keeps as much natural tooth as possible, repairs only what's damaged, and treats the cause so the repair lasts. It's about preserving what can be saved, not avoiding treatment a tooth needs.
It depends on how much healthy tooth remains. A filling suits a smaller cavity. When a tooth is cracked or a cavity is large, a crown protects it better. Every filling and crown we place is biomimetic, so either way, as much natural tooth as possible stays.
Many teeth that seem lost can be saved with a biomimetic repair or crown. If a tooth is cracked below the gumline or too damaged to restore, an implant may be the better long-term choice. Your exam and 3D imaging show which.
Options include dental implants, a bridge, partial or complete dentures, and implant-supported dentures. If many teeth are failing, full mouth reconstruction plans them together.
Cost depends on what each tooth needs, so it's set after your exam. You see the cost of each option before treatment begins, we help you make the most of your dental insurance benefits, and financing through Cherry is available.
Call us. We keep same-day emergency appointments open Monday through Thursday, and our phones are staffed 24/7, so you can reach us whenever it happens.
Other ways we protect your health
Restoration works best on a healthy foundation. These pages cover prevention, your bite and sleep, and designing your smile.
