Crowns And Bridges Specialist

What is a crown?

A dental crown is a covering that surrounds your tooth above the gumline. It’s made from an impression and designed to fit snuggly and lay flush with the rest of your smile and gumline, just like a natural tooth cap. 

Crowns come in a variety of materials, like silver, gold, and porcelain, each of which has different advantages depending on your needs and preferences. 

At Community Smiles, you also have the choice of getting a crown made from e.max®, an exceptionally strong and durable modern material. 

When do I need a crown?

Some of the reasons that your dentist might recommend a crown include:

• Restoring a significantly damaged or decayed tooth
• Improving the appearance of a misshapen, discolored, or unsightly tooth
• Replacing several large fillings
• Providing extra strength after a root canal

Your dentist can also affix a crown to a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.

What is a bridge?

A bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth. It’s a fixed prosthetic made up of an artificial tooth (pontic) and crowns. 

The pontic is sealed to the crowns, and your dentist bonds the crowns to the teeth adjacent to your missing tooth. This leaves the pontic to bridge the empty space between teeth, hence the name.

What’s involved with getting a crown or bridge?

The team at Community Smiles can fit a crown or bridge in two easy office visits.

At your first appointment, your dentist prepares the teeth receiving crowns. If you’re getting a crown, then this is just the tooth that you’re restoring. If you’re getting a bridge, your dentist prepares the teeth that are next to your missing tooth.

To prepare your tooth or teeth, your dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the surface. This is necessary to make enough room for the crown to fit over the tooth and enable the crown to rest comfortably in your mouth.

After they’re prepared your tooth, your dentist takes an impression of your mouth. They give that impression to a lab to design and fabricate your crown or bridge, during which time you wear a temporary.

You come back for a second appointment when the lab has finished making your crown or bridge, and your dentist permanently seals it in place.

If you want more information on crowns and bridges, call the offices at Community Smiles or schedule a consultation online today.