Crowns and Bridges – not just things you wear or cross.
Bridges and crowns are fixed, prosthetic, devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants by a dentist.
– Crowns are used most commonly to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth or cover an implant. They can strengthen a damaged tooth and can be made to match your natural tooth color, in most instances. Often, porcelain is bonded to a metal shell making it both strong and attractive.
– Bridges are often used to fill a space if you’re missing one or more teeth. They’re cemented to your own teeth or implants surrounding the space where your natural tooth used to be. Your dentist can help you decide which material to use, based on the location or function the tooth serves as well as aesthetics. Cost can also be a determining factor when making these choices. For matching the color of your natural teeth, porcelain or ceramic bridges can be used very effectively.
For patients who are interested in replacing a single tooth or a few teeth in a row, without having to damage adjacent teeth, implants can be created to retain crowns and bridges.
These crowns are high quality and make beautiful restorations. The only difference is what’s underneath.
First, the root of the missing tooth is replaced by placing a dental implant. Once healed, a custom abutment is fabricated, which connects to the implant and is used to cement the final crown or bridge. Esthetically these options can be quite amazing.
Dr. Sherman, at Breezy Bay Dental, is ready to advise you on all your dental needs. He and his friendly staff are experts at explaining and performing these procedures and can help you make the right decisions about the care of your teeth and gum.