Dental Crowns and Bridges

What is a dental crown?

Dental crowns are used when a tooth has a very large filling that exceeds the natural tooth structure, your tooth had root canal therapy or for cosmetic reasons.

Dental crowns have many applications. The first is to be installed over a damaged tooth to cap the existing structure, which restores the damaged tooth so it can be used normally. Crowns can also be attached to dental implants to replace missing teeth; these implants will be surgically inserted into the jawbone and serve as the root for the tooth. This procedure keeps the crown steady and secure.

Additionally, dental crowns may also be used to provide extra support for dental bridges. They do not require any special treatment and can be brushed and flossed as normal.

What is a dental bridge?

Dental bridges are commonly used when a patient has lost one or more teeth. They are called bridges because they consist of one or more replacement teeth that bridge the gap that was created when the original teeth became lost. Dental bridges can be secured using abutment crowns on each end or by using permanently installed precision metal mechanisms. We custom design each component of a dental bridge to ensure that it looks natural and provides the desired performance.

How do temporary dental crowns work?

There are a few steps your dentists will follow in putting on a dental crown. Crowns typically begin with taking an impression of your upper and lower dental arches to create a replica of your teeth so a permanent crown will fit securely on the base of the tooth being crowned without letting any bacteria enter underneath the tooth structure.

Most dentists take this impression and send it off to a dental laboratory for the permanent dental crown to be built. To get the impression correct for the permanent dental crown, they must shape the tooth base below it, which could leave your tooth vulnerable in the short period between the impression being made and the permanent dental crown being delivered. Temporary dental crowns are used to ensure your tooth is protected during this period.

What are porcelain fixed bridges, and what is the procedure?

Porcelain fixed bridges are non-removable appliances that are placed on teeth to replace a tooth that is missing. Porcelain bridges are made to match the natural color of your teeth and help fill in the gap where a tooth is missing. Bridges are essentially two crowns that anchor an artificial tooth in between. The two crowns are cemented onto the teeth surrounding the missing tooth to help anchor the artificial tooth into place (abutment). The artificial tooth (pontic) is in place of the missing tooth to fill in the gap and allow your teeth to look natural.

The process of getting a porcelain fixed bridge

When you and your dentist decide that a porcelain fixed bridge is the right option for you, the dentist will begin preparing the two teeth that surround the missing tooth. The teeth are prepared so that two crowns can be placed in order to support the artificial tooth. Several impressions will be taken in order for the dentist to determine the size of the crowns and artificial tooth. Once the impressions are taken, they are sent to a dental laboratory where your bridge will be made. Setting a bridge generally takes two dental visits to complete. Once the dental laboratory has made your bridge, the dentist will cement the crowns into place.

Porcelain fixed bridges are very durable and can last a very long time when they are well taken care of. Your dentist will give you special instructions on how you can keep your bridge clean through brushing and flossing.

What is a porcelain dental crown, and what is the procedure?

What is a porcelain dental crown?

A porcelain dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is used to help replaced teeth that cannot be restored using the traditional filling. They are generally suggested for patients who have had severely decayed or damaged teeth. Porcelain dental crowns match the color of teeth to give a natural appearance. There are many other types of crowns such as gold or silver, but porcelain crowns are most popular because they give the most natural look.

How are porcelain crowns placed?

When you and your dentist decide that getting a crown is the right option for you, the dentist will shape the tooth in a shape that enables him or her to place a crown. Depending on the damage of the tooth and how much tooth structure is present, the dentist will either shape the tooth or build up the tooth in order to support the crown. Several impressions will be taken so that a dental laboratory can custom make a cap for your tooth. While you wait for the dental laboratory to create your crown, your dentist will create a temporary crown for you that will be replaced when your final crown is finished. When the crown is finished by the dental laboratory, the dentist will try on the crown to ensure that the fit and bite are correct. The porcelain crown is then cemented to your tooth to give you a beautiful and natural appearance.

With care, porcelain dental crowns can be very durable and have the ability to last a long time. Your dentist will give you special instructions on how you can keep your crown clean with brushing and flossing so that you can help your crown last for years.

Although receiving a crown can take two visits to complete, if your dentist uses CAD-CAM technology such as CEREC^®, they may be able to offer you a crown in one visit. Consult with your dentist to see if this is an option for you.