Shore Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers dental crowns and bridges at our Lincroft dental office. Crowns and bridges are a part of restorative dentistry, but these treatments can also be used to cosmetically enhance and preserve your smile. If you’re wondering whether a dental crown or bridge is the right choice for you, call Shore Smiles to schedule a free consultation, today! Read on to learn more about dental crowns and bridges.
A dental bridge consists of a prosthetic tooth, a metal pin, and two crowns that are placed upon the two teeth adjacent to the gap. Dental bridges essentially “bridge” the gap left behind when a tooth is extracted or knocked out. The two adjoining teeth must be strong and healthy to support the artificial tooth.
Unlike partial dentures, dental bridges are designed to be permanent and non-removable. It is possible to use a dental bridge to replace two consecutive missing teeth, although this treatment works best when replacing a single tooth.
There are several types of bridges and Dr. Herman will go over the benefits of each as well as offer his own professional recommendation.
While the primary goal of dental bridges is to replace a missing tooth, the benefits of bridges go beyond that. Here are a few additional reasons you might consider opting for a dental bridge:
Many patients also choose dental bridges as an upgrade over a removable partial denture.
Your first appointment will most likely only involve a consultation. The dentist will go over the pros and cons of the different methods that can be used to replace one tooth or several teeth. If you choose a dental bridge, you will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment.
The first step of getting a dental bridge is preparing the healthy teeth to accept the bridge-supporting crowns. These teeth are filed down to accommodate the crowns. (Don’t worry; you will be given anesthesia to minimize the discomfort.) Next, an impression of your teeth will be made in order to create a mold. While the mold is sent off to a dental fabrication lab to craft the dental bridge, you will be fitted with a temporary bridge.
On your next visit, the dentist will check your permanent fixed bridge to ensure proper fit and comfort. If the fixed bridge fits as it should, the dentist will cement it into place. If there is inflammation around the placement site, the dentist may only spot-cement the bridge and complete a full cement during your follow-up appointment.
Cosmetic crowns do offer cosmetic benefits, but their primary functions are in preserving and preventing infection to compromised teeth. For this reason, dental crowns — or “caps” — are largely seen as a restorative procedure.
At Shore Smiles, we offer gold, porcelain, and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Dental crowns are used to correct issues such as:
If you plan on getting dental crowns, you should plan to attend at least two appointments. During the first appointment, you will receive a local anesthetic in order to numb the tooth. The dentist will prepare the tooth and remove any decayed portions.
The surface of the tooth will be filed down to accommodate the crown. The staff will then take several impressions of your teeth in order to create a mold that will be sent to the fabrication laboratory. To round off your first appointment, you will be fitted with a temporary crown.
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure that the spacing and bite are accurate and that it’s a comfortable fit. You will be given instructions on how to care for your dental crown and the dentist will provide a recommendation on a checkup schedule
Don’t let cracked, broken, or missing teeth dampen your smile. Get a dental crown or bridge consultation with Dr. Herman at Shore Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
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