Crown And Bridge

What’s a dental crown?

A dental crown is an artificial tooth cap. It’s fixed to an existing root structure, like a natural tooth root or a dental implant, where it covers the entire portion of your tooth that’s sticking out from your gum.

Your dental crown is designed from a mold of your smile, so it fits comfortably in line with the rest of your teeth, feeling, functioning, and sometimes even looking just like a natural tooth.

When do I need a dental crown?

Dental crowns have a variety of functions, including:

• Replacing an unsightly tooth
• Restoring a tooth that’s suffered significant damage or decay
• Protecting a tooth from further damage or decay
  
  

In the case of dental implants, a crown puts the finishing touches on your tooth replacement.

What’s a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that replaces a tooth or teeth that are missing entirely. It’s composed of an artificial tooth, called a “pontic,” that’s attached to a crown on either side. It’s called a “bridge” because it literally bridges the gap between teeth where you have a hole in your smile.

If the teeth adjacent to your missing teeth aren’t healthy enough to support crowns, your dentist can provide you with alternative bridges. A cantilever bridge is attached to a crown on just one side, while a Maryland bridge uses a metal framework that’s bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth.

Why do I need a dental bridge?

In order to understand the benefits of a dental bridge, it first helps to understand the complications associated with missing teeth. Your smile is like a watch: it’s a delicate piece of machinery that has numerous parts all working together in harmony. When one of those parts is missing, it throws off the entire machine.

Missing teeth can lead to such complications as:

• Teeth falling out of alignment as they shift into the missing space
• Facial muscles sagging into the missing space
• Unbalanced distribution of your biting force
  
  

By filling in the holes in your smile, a bridge prevents many of the problems that missing teeth can otherwise cause.

How do I get a dental crown or bridge?

Your dentist can install your crown or bridge with just a few easy office visits.

During your first visit, your provider prepares your teeth. If you’re getting a crown, they may shave down some of the enamel on your tooth-to-be-crowned. If you’re getting a bridge, they shave down the teeth next to your missing tooth.

Once your teeth are prepared, your dentist takes an impression of your mouth that’s used to custom-design your crown or bridge to fit in seamlessly with your smile. Your provider then fits you with a temporary restoration while you wait for your custom crown or bridge to come back from the lab.

You come back for a second appointment once your finished crown or bridge is ready. Your dentist swaps out your temporary restoration for the permanent one, checks that the bite and fit are good, then seals it in place with dental cement. You leave the office ready to speak, eat, and smile with confidence.

Don’t wait any longer to upgrade your smile. Schedule your dental crown or bridge appointment with Emery & Scuro DMD, PC, by calling the office or booking a visit online.