Crown and Bridge

Crowns

Crowns or “caps” are restorations that cover and restore a tooth’s form, function and esthetic appeal.Most dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth. For teeth that are malformed, fractured, cracked, weakened by root canal therapy or contain large fillings that have been lost or broken, crowns are a viable long-term solution. Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, which can be due to hairline cracks of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth may relieve the symptoms.

Placement of crowns can correct bite problems created by worn out fillings or severe abrasion secondary to tooth grinding. We are known for the high quality of our work and have had some amazing results. It is not unusual for these treatments to last more than 10 years.  Smoking, tooth grinding and poor oral hygiene will significantly reduce longevity.

Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown.  On the subsequent visit, two weeks later, we will remove the temporary crown, and then fit and adjust the final crown.  Finally, we will cement the crown into place and you will have a new beautiful looking tooth.

Key Benefits

• Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth.
• Looks completely natural.
• Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems.
• Used to replace removed tooth structure after a root canal and to prevent breakage after a root canal.

Bridges

Non-removable tooth replacements include bridges or “fixed partial dentures.” They replace missing teeth by attaching to abutments, which are either natural teeth, dental implants or a combination of the two. Fixed bridges are made by placing crowns on the abutments and fusing the crowns to the tooth replacement (called a pontic).  This bridge is then bonded onto the abutments.

The procedure usually takes two appointments to complete. At the first appointment the abutment teeth on either side of the gap are prepared by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin. Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct fit, accurate impressions of the prepared teeth are taken and sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge will be constructed.   A temporary bridge will be made and temporarily cemented while your permanent bridge is being fabricated. The process takes about two weeks. At your next visit, the bridge is adjusted for fit. The bite refined and the bridge cemented in place.

We can make bridges gold, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and porcelain. Please refer to the section about crowns for more detail.