A crown, or cap is a covering that encases the entire tooth, restoring its original shape and size while strengthening and protecting it when fillings or other restorations won't suffice. Porcelain crowns are particularly popular due to their natural appearance, resembling real teeth. Highly durable, they provide a long-lasting and beautiful smile, although they may eventually need replacement. Made to match your teeth' shape, size, and color, porcelain crowns ensure a natural and aesthetically pleasing result, effectively enhancing both function and appearance.
A crown procedure typically requires two appointments.
The dentist takes several precise molds to create your custom crown and a temporary one, which you'll wear for about two weeks. While the tooth is numb, the dentist removes any decay and shapes the tooth for the crown. The temporary crown is placed with temporary cement, and your bite is checked.
The temporary crown is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and the new crown is meticulously placed to ensure proper spacing and bite. You'll receive care instructions and be encouraged to have regular dental check-ups to maintain your new crown.
After a Root Canal Treatment (RCT), reinforcing the tooth before placing a crown is usually necessary, as the tooth becomes brittle over time and prone to fractures and eventual loss. If the clinical crown is mostly intact, a prefabricated titanium post can provide adequate reinforcement. However, for teeth with significant decay, fractures, or heavy restorations, a cast post and core offer stronger support.
This procedure requires two visits: the dentist removes decayed and damaged material and prepares a post hole about 10 mm deep by removing some RCT sealer. An impression of the post hole and remaining tooth structure is sent to a lab, and a temporary crown is placed. Within 7-10 days, the custom post and core are bonded into place.
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance used to replace missing teeth. The most popular one is the traditional bridge, made of porcelain fused to metal, resembling natural teeth. It consists of two crowns over anchoring teeth, attached to artificial teeth (pontics), filling the gap of missing teeth. Highly durable, bridges can last many years but may need replacement or re-cementing due to normal wear.
Fill space of missing teeth and restore your smile with a natural-looking solution
Maintain facial shape and prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
Restore chewing and speaking ability. A great substitute for a removable partial denture.
Getting a bridge usually takes two or more visits.
The dentist numbs the teeth and prepares the anchoring teeth by removing some enamel for crowns. An impression is made and sent to a lab for bridge fabrication, and a temporary bridge is provided.
The permanent bridge is checked, adjusted, and cemented for a proper fit. Sometimes, temporary cement is used to allow for adjustment. Final cementing occurs later.
You'll receive care instructions, and proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits will help maintain your new permanent bridge for years to come.
