Dental crowns and bridges are designed to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged. To determine which procedure is right for your smile, we recommend you schedule a consultation with our Wyoming cosmetic dentist.
He will be able to help you consider the pros and cons of dental bridges and crowns.
Dental Crowns
A porcelain dental crown acts like a tooth cap because it completely covers and strengthens a damaged tooth. Dental crowns can also dramatically improve the appearance, shape, and alignment of teeth.
Crowns may be used to:
- Replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
Dental Bridges
Our Wyoming family dentist uses bridges to fill the space created by missing teeth. A bridge is one or more artificial teeth cemented into place using your existing teeth on either side for support. This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. Bridgework is as much an art as an exact science and replaces a missing tooth both functionally and cosmetically.
The materials used during the dental bridge procedure may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and aesthetics.
It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible. If not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap will shift inward. Since teeth use their neighbors for support, if one is missing they begin to fall and shift into the open spaces. This may worsen the bite because of the changes in pressure and can eventually result in problems with the jaw such as TMJ.
To properly construct your bridge or crown, our dentist will take a dental impression. This impression is sent to a dental lab where your crown or bridge will be custom fit for your mouth and to match your natural tooth color. A temporary crown or bridge will be placed into your mouth until your permanent crown or bridge is ready and cemented into place. Both bridges and porcelain crowns are very durable and can last a lifetime with extra care and good oral hygiene.
Dr. Helmus DDS at River Ridge Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is dedicated to helping patients achieve their best smiles. If you are interested in learning if you are a candidate for bridges or crowns, call our Wyoming cosmetic dentistry at (616) 538-7320.
