Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and Bridges are restorative procedures that help return your smile to its natural state. A crown is used when the tooth structure is damaged, whereas bridges are used when one or more teeth are missing. Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices.

What is Crown? 

A crown is a manufactured tooth. A dental crown replaces a tooth with a tooth-shaped cap placed over a tooth that has been weakened or broken. The crown restores the size and shape of a tooth to improve its strength and appearance. A crown is made of porcelain or ceramic. A crown covers the entire tooth.

Dental Crown Procedure

The first step of the root canal procedure starts with your dentist preparing the tooth, making a molded impression of the tooth, and sending it to a dental laboratory. Your dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth before making the crown. You may have a local anesthetic for this procedure.

The dentist may place a temporary crown on your ground down teeth while the permanent crown is being made.

When the permanent crown is ready, the dentist will remove the temporary crown, and they will place the permanent crown on your teeth and adjust it so that it fits correctly and your bite is right. They will cement the new crown into place.

If your teeth have a large filling, a root canal, or are very worn or cracked, a crown is likely the best option.

Advantages of Dental Crown

• Improve the appearance of a tooth by changing its shape or color.
• Porcelain crowns look and feel just like your natural teeth.
• All of the teeth are covered, so your teeth are more protected from decay.
• It is relatively permanent, so it doesn't have to be removed for cleaning as dentures do.
• Hold severely cracked or broken teeth together.

What is a Bridge?  

A bridge is an option to replace missing teeth. For doing so, it is necessary to prepare adjacent teeth that will become the pillars of the bridge. Once the posts are prepared, impressions will be taken to create molds, in which the bridge will be manufactured. Bridges are usually made up of porcelain fused to metal to achieve both strength and a natural look.

A dental bridge is a false tooth(pontic) held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. However, pontic can be made from a variety of materials, such as gold.

Dental Bridge Procedure

A bridge may be recommended if you are missing one or more teeth. 

Teeth preparation &Temporary bridge placement 

On the first visit, your dentist prepares the teeth on both sides of the gap. The bridge will be attached to those teeth. Your dentist then makes an impression or an image of your teeth and space. This information is sent to a dental laboratory, where the lab technicians follow your dentist's instructions and make the bridge. A local anesthetic is used to ensure patient comfort throughout this procedure. Some patients may be fitted with a temporary bridge. This can later be removed when the permanent bridge is ready to be placed in the mouth.

Advantage of Dental Bridge 

• Restoring your smile
• Maintaining the shape of your face
• Restoring your speech
• It prevents your remaining teeth from shifting, which causes problems in your bite.
• Reduce the risk of bone loss.

Call us or schedule an appointment online if you want to know about getting Crowns and Bridges.