CROWNS & BRIDGES
Dentists can treat a tooth that has chipped, cracked, or decayed with a variety of dental treatment options. A dentist may recommend a dental crown when there is extensive damage to the surface of the tooth and the tooth’s root remains intact. A crown is a dental restoration that covers and protects a damaged tooth. It is often called a “cap” and can return structure, strength, and function to a tooth with extensive decay or damage to its original shape and size. Some of the materials used in crowns are full porcelain, porcelain fuse to metal and full gold coverage. The most popular crowns are porcelain crowns (either full porcelain or porcelain fuse to metal) both are highly durable and esthetically pleasing. Porcelain crowns are custom made to match the shape and color of your teeth for a natural looking smile. Your dentist and you can discuss which crown is best suited for your needs.
Reasons for Crowns
Crown Procedure / Appointment
A crown procedure requires two appointments. The tooth will be anesthetized (numb) then the tooth will be prepped for the crown by removing decay, fractured or defective fillings, and/or temporary fillings placed during a root canal. The tooth will then receive a new filling (called a Build up). The tooth is then shaped to properly and precisely fit your crown. The tooth is now ready for an impression, which is a mold that will be sent out to the laboratory where your new custom crown will be fabricated. After the impression is taken, a temporary crown will be fabricated by your dentist or the dental assistant. It is important to follow all the instructions given to you by your dentist.
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and an x-ray will be taken to ensure your dentist that the crown margins fit perfectly on your tooth. The new crown will then be carefully placed using special permanent cement. The dentist will double check that the contacts and the bite is accurate and comfortable for you.
You will be given post-operative instructions and encouraged to use proper home care and have regular dental visits to check your new crown and rule out any biting discrepancies.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. A bridge is a fixed (not removable) and esthetically pleasing appliance. A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These crowns are called abutment (anchoring) teeth. These two abutments are fused to a “dummy” tooth (a pontic). A bridge is fixed because it is cemented in place and does not have to be removed unlike dentures or partial dentures. A bridge not only fills the gap, but it also prevents movement of remaining teeth. It can also improve chewing function, speech articulation, and provide internal structure for the face to give you a more youthful appearance.
Reasons for a Fixed Bridge
Bridge Procedure / Appointment
Much of the bridge procedure involves almost identical steps to a crown procedure. A bridge procedure requires two appointments. The teeth will be anesthetized (numb). If there is any decay, fractured or defective fillings, and/or temporary fillings placed during a root canal a new filling will be placed (called a Build Up). The teeth are then shaped to properly and precisely fit your bridge. The teeth are now ready for an impression, which is a mold that will be sent out to the laboratory where your new custom bridge will be fabricated. After the impression is taken, a temporary bridge will be fabricated by your dentist or the dental assistant. It is important to follow all the instructions given to you by your dentist.
At your second appointment, your temporary bridge will be removed, the teeth will be cleaned, and an x-ray will be taken to ensure your dentist that the bridge margins fit perfectly on your teeth. The new bridge will then be carefully placed using special permanent cement. The dentist will double check that the contacts and the bite is accurate and comfortable to you
You will be given instructions on how to floss under your bridge to keep it clean and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new bridge and rule out any biting discrepancies.
Reasons for Crowns
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Extensive decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Fillings covering more than 50% tooth and at risk for fracturing
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Crack tooth syndrome (not broken, but having the symptoms of a broken tooth)
- Tooth that has a root canal
Crown Procedure / Appointment
A crown procedure requires two appointments. The tooth will be anesthetized (numb) then the tooth will be prepped for the crown by removing decay, fractured or defective fillings, and/or temporary fillings placed during a root canal. The tooth will then receive a new filling (called a Build up). The tooth is then shaped to properly and precisely fit your crown. The tooth is now ready for an impression, which is a mold that will be sent out to the laboratory where your new custom crown will be fabricated. After the impression is taken, a temporary crown will be fabricated by your dentist or the dental assistant. It is important to follow all the instructions given to you by your dentist.
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and an x-ray will be taken to ensure your dentist that the crown margins fit perfectly on your tooth. The new crown will then be carefully placed using special permanent cement. The dentist will double check that the contacts and the bite is accurate and comfortable for you.
You will be given post-operative instructions and encouraged to use proper home care and have regular dental visits to check your new crown and rule out any biting discrepancies.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. A bridge is a fixed (not removable) and esthetically pleasing appliance. A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These crowns are called abutment (anchoring) teeth. These two abutments are fused to a “dummy” tooth (a pontic). A bridge is fixed because it is cemented in place and does not have to be removed unlike dentures or partial dentures. A bridge not only fills the gap, but it also prevents movement of remaining teeth. It can also improve chewing function, speech articulation, and provide internal structure for the face to give you a more youthful appearance.
Reasons for a Fixed Bridge
- Fill space of missing teeth
- Reestablish chewing function
- Restore your smile
- Maintain facial shape
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting/shifting
- Prevent opposing teeth from dropping onto missing tooth space
- Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent solution
Bridge Procedure / Appointment
Much of the bridge procedure involves almost identical steps to a crown procedure. A bridge procedure requires two appointments. The teeth will be anesthetized (numb). If there is any decay, fractured or defective fillings, and/or temporary fillings placed during a root canal a new filling will be placed (called a Build Up). The teeth are then shaped to properly and precisely fit your bridge. The teeth are now ready for an impression, which is a mold that will be sent out to the laboratory where your new custom bridge will be fabricated. After the impression is taken, a temporary bridge will be fabricated by your dentist or the dental assistant. It is important to follow all the instructions given to you by your dentist.
At your second appointment, your temporary bridge will be removed, the teeth will be cleaned, and an x-ray will be taken to ensure your dentist that the bridge margins fit perfectly on your teeth. The new bridge will then be carefully placed using special permanent cement. The dentist will double check that the contacts and the bite is accurate and comfortable to you
You will be given instructions on how to floss under your bridge to keep it clean and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new bridge and rule out any biting discrepancies.