Crowns and Bridges

A dental crown is custom-made to fit over a damaged natural tooth. It restores the function of the tooth and provides strength and support. Dental bridges replace missing teeth and complete the appearance of your smile.

Crowns and bridges are often made of porcelain because of its natural appearance and durability, but come in a variety of materials. We will recommend a treatment that is right for you.

For patients who want a healthy and complete smile, dental crowns and bridges can help. Updated materials and techniques have made dental crowns and bridges longer lasting and more attractive than before.

When Are Dental Crowns and Bridges Used?

Dental crowns have many applications and can be used to correct a number of problems:

• Severely decayed teeth
• Teeth weakened by root canal treatment
• Fractured or broken teeth
• Broken fillings
• Large, unattractive fillings

We use dental bridges to fill the empty space left by a missing tooth. A gap in your smile can dramatically impact your appearance. A dental bridge is usually made as a single unit that is held in place by crowns on adjacent teeth. A dental bridge improves the appearance of your smile by filling the gap and prevents your surrounding teeth from shifting out of place and moving into the space left by a missing tooth, which can cause continued dental conditions.

What Does Dental Crown or Bridge Treatment Involve?

A dental crown or bridge can usually be placed in two or three visits. After an exam, we prepare your natural tooth to receive the restoration and then we take impressions of your teeth. The impression accurately represents the position, size, and shape of your natural teeth so that your restoration fits correctly.

We send your impressions to a special dental lab, where they are used to create your permanent restoration, which usually takes about two weeks. Before you leave our office, we fit you with a temporary bridge or crown to wear while the new crown or bridge is being prepared.

Once the restoration is finished, we will schedule an appointment for you to return to our office. At that time, we check the finished restoration for proper fit, making adjustments as necessary. Finally, the restoration is cemented permanently into place.

Before you leave our office, we will give you instructions on caring for your new restoration. The restoration is fully functional, but you should remember that it requires special care to prevent damage. If you practise proper oral hygiene and schedule regular dental cleanings, your new restoration can last for many years.

Call to Schedule a Dental Exam

Are you troubled by a damaged or missing tooth? Please call our office to schedule an evaluation and learn more about your options!