Crowns
A crown is a custom-made covering that fits over a natural tooth that is either decayed, damaged, or cracked. Our crowns are made of ceramic namely zirconia and or pressed e.max materials. These materials allow us to achieve a highly aesthetic result, without having to compromise durability and strength.
The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown involves:
- Administration of local anesthetic and removal of decay.
- Preparing the tooth to ideal dimensions in order to support the crown.
- Capturing a digital scan of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown (usually take one to two weeks).
- Construction of a temporary crown and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the custom-made crown is being created.
- Applying the custom-made crown (when received from the lab) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the custom-made one onto the tooth.
- After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, the dentist cements it into place.
This process generally consists of two to three visits. Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums and crowns.
Please contact our office with any additional questions regarding full coverage crown restorations.
Bridges
A bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent:
- Shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion), TMJ complications, and possible periodontal disease.
- Bridges safegaurd the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
There are three main types of bridges, namely:
- A fixed bridge is the most popular and consists of a filler tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
- The "Maryland" bridge is commonly used to replace missing front teeth and consists of a filler that is attached to metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth. The metal bands consist of a white-colored composite resin that matches existing tooth color.
- The cantilever bridge is often used when there are teeth on only one side of the span. A typical three-unit cantilever bridge consists of two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth space. The filler tooth is then connected to the two crowned teeth, which extend into the missing tooth space or end.
Please contact our office with any additional questions regarding fixed bridge restorations.