Dental Crowns & Bridges

Unlike fillings, which are placed by applying the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated in a lab from the tooth impression, which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements and sculpt the crown to facilitate normal bite and jaw function once it is placed. Crowns can be made of ceramic, porcelain, or metal fused to porcelain. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong. The crowns are used for cosmetic or restorative dental procedures to improve the tooth’s compromised appearance and function, seal and strengthen teeth after a root canal treatment, correct bite problems and close spaces between teeth, as well as to replace missing teeth permanently, as part of a bridge, or over an implant.

As the name suggests, a permanent fixed bridge literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth are missing by replacing absent teeth with artificial crowns. In modern dentistry dental implants with crown restorations over them is the treatment of choice in case of one or more teeth missing. When the implants are not an option, a dental bridge can be utilized instead.

A bridge looks and feels completely natural, giving your smile a unified and healthy appearance and allowing totally normal function, helps maintain the shape of your face, and alleviates the stress on your bite. When teeth are missing the remaining teeth begin to change position, and this can lead to numerous problems, including loss of more teeth. A fixed bridge will prevent teeth from shifting, and stabilize your bite. Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials, and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.

With proper care and hygiene, a good quality dental crown or bridge may last for a long time. The success and longevity of any crown or bridge restoration depends on its foundation – the teeth, gums, or bone that anchor and stabilize it, making it crucial to keep them as healthy as possible. Flossing and maintaining regular hygiene appointments will help you keep your dental restorations for a long time.

If you’re self-conscious about your smile due to chipped, cracked, broken, decayed, worn or missing teeth, our beautiful porcelain crowns and bridges can completely restore them and bring back your healthy, natural-looking smile with crown and bridge restorations, and help protect your teeth against further decay and damage. To discuss your dental crown and bridge treatment options or schedule an appointment at The Art of Smile Dental, call us today.