Crowns and bridges are two types of dental restorations that are used to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth.
A crown, also known as a "cap," is a custom-made covering that is placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are typically made of porcelain, ceramic or metal. They are used to protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth, to restore a tooth that has been severely worn down, or to cover a dental implant.
A bridge, on the other hand, is a dental restoration that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge typically consists of one or more artificial teeth, known as pontics, that are anchored in place by one or more crowns on either side. The crowns are placed on the natural teeth or dental implants that are next to the missing tooth or teeth, and the pontics are then attached to the crowns. The bridge is then cemented in place, effectively "bridging" the gap left by the missing teeth.
Both crowns and bridges are custom-made and are typically done in two appointments. The first one is to prepare the tooth and take an impression, and the second one is to place the final restoration.
It's important to note that crowns and bridges are permanent restorations, so it's important for the patient to maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups to ensure the longevity of the restoration.
How do I prepare for my crowns and bridges?
If you want crowns or bridges for cosmetic reasons, the LB Dental P.C. team recommends that you undergo teeth whitening first. They offer Zoom!® and GLO®️ teeth whitening procedures that quickly and easily improve your smile’s appearance.
It’s important to whiten your teeth before having crowns and bridges because the materials are stain and bleach resistant. That means a crown or bridge made to match discolored teeth will stay the same color if you have teeth whitening treatment afterward. Whitening the teeth first ensures your new crown or bridge matches perfectly.
The first step in fitting your crowns or bridges is for your LB Dental P.C. cosmetic dentist to take an impression of your teeth. The dental lab uses this impression to create your new crowns or bridges.
Your dentist prepares your tooth by removing some of the enamel. This allows your new crown to cover the tooth without pushing your other teeth out of position. Next, they clean the tooth and fit a temporary crown with a temporary cement. You wear the temporary crown for about one to two weeks while waiting for the lab to create the permanent one.
When the crowns or bridges are ready, you return to LB Dental P.C. Your dentist removes the temporary crowns and bonds your new permanent ones to your tooth. With a bridge, they place a crown on the two teeth surrounding the missing one. These two crowns securely anchor the new tooth in place.
To find out how you can restore your smile with crowns and bridges, call LB Dental P.C. today or book an appointment online.