Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentists can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.
Crowns
A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those who have an intact tooth without root rot. The tooth may be damaged or decayed on the surface.
Procedure:
We will reduce all surfaces of the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit
An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication
The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized
We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
You will come in again for permanent crown fitting
Bridges
To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants.
Types of Bridges:
Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one
Cantilever — Cap is bonded over a single tooth next to the missing one
Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”
The protocol for a bridge is the same as a crown, and the only difference would be if the hopeless tooth needs to be extracted. In that case, typically the tooth is extracted and the neighboring teeth are prepared, so that you leave the office with a temporary bridge and are never without a tooth in the extraction site.
Veneers
If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains.
Common uses for veneers:
Chipped or broken teeth
Misshapen or irregular teeth
Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
Veneers are a fantastic option when esthetics is at a premium. If we discover that you grind your teeth at night or during the day, veneers may be more likely to break or fracture and therefore will typically recommend crowns instead.