Crowns / Bridges

Crowns

Crowns are dental restorations that cover a damaged tooth, and look and function exactly like the natural teeth. They can be made from porcelain bonded to metal or all porcelain, or all gold.

How long does it take?

Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay if present, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown of acrylic. An impression of the prepared tooth will be taken and sent to a dental laboratory.

On the subsequent visit we will remove the temporary crown and then seat, adjust, and cement the final crown.

Key Benefits

• Restores damaged teeth
• Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
• Protects teeth from fracture

It is important to remember that crowns are cemented onto natural teeth and must be meticulously maintained. Properly maintained, a crown should last many years.

Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn't necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth, they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Options:

Dental implants are the first choice to replace missing teeth especially if the adjacent teeth have no decay or dental restorations.

A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable. The abutment teeth must be cut down for the bridge.

Fixed bridges are inserted by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

If you're missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it's difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. While dental implants are the best option in most cases, fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

Why do I need a bridge to replace missing teeth?

Chewing and appearance are important reasons for replacing missing teeth.

Dental health and maintenance of bone is the most important reason to replace missing teeth. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potential problems, such as drifting of teeth and supra eruption of opposing teeth. Dental implants are the only way to maintain bone after tooth loss.

How do I take care of my crown or bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support. It is necessary to use a floss threader under the bridge every day. The tooth surface below the bridge can decay if not kept properly clean.