When a tooth has been damaged or decayed, a crown or bridge can help restore it and give you a healthy, beautiful smile. Depending on the type of restoration you need, your dental implant specialist can recommend the right treatment.
During the first visit, your abutment teeth (those that will be used to anchor your bridge) will be recontoured so they will fit your bridge properly. Next, impressions will be taken of these teeth and sent to a lab so your bridge can be made.
Your dental professional will then use a mold of the prepared teeth to make your bridge. At the second visit, your bridge will be placed on the abutment teeth and cemented into place.
While a crown is only used to cap a tooth, a bridge is a more comprehensive treatment that also replaces missing teeth. Both crowns and bridges can be fabricated from various materials, including gold alloys, base metal alloys, or porcelain.
Porcelain crowns are known to be highly durable and can be crafted to look more like your natural teeth. The best dental implant specialists can provide you with an accurate and precise mold of your teeth so your crown will be designed to match them perfectly.
Another great benefit of dental crowns and bridges is that they don’t have to be removed when you clean your mouth. These devices can last 10 to 15 years with proper care and routine visits to your dentist’s office.
The best dental implant specialists will show you before-and-after photos and testimonials of their past patients. These can be very useful in evaluating their skills and knowledge.
Your dental professional will be able to discuss the options available to you for your particular situation and answer any questions you may have. They will be able to recommend the right treatment for your specific needs and budget.
Whether you need a crown to restore a broken or chipped tooth or a bridge to replace a missing one, the team at Ridgewood Dental Associates can help. They can explain the process of preparing your teeth and designing a natural-looking crown or bridge.
You can choose from many different materials to create your bridge, but some are more durable than others. Typically, gold alloys are the most durable and cost-effective.
Ceramic, acrylic and porcelain crowns can be bonded to metal to improve their strength and aesthetics. These materials are more prone to wear and chipping than their gold or metal alloy counterparts, but they can still be extremely durable and strong.
They are also less prone to fracturing than their gold or base metal counterparts.
Having a gap in your smile makes you feel less confident, but both bridges and crowns can revive that confidence and bring back a smile that you’re proud to share with the world. Contact our office today to learn more about how we can help you restore your smile with a crown or bridge!