Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and Bridges
Sometimes the best dental treatment for a tooth is to use a restoration that is made in a laboratory from a mold or 3-D image scan of the tooth. 3-D imaging is done with the Lava Chariside Oral Scanner that takes extremely accurate digital impressions of your teeth, replacing having to bite into a tray filled with impression material.
Custom-made restorations, which require two or more visits, can be a crown or a bridge. A crown covers the entire chewing surface and sides of the tooth. It can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth structure left. It can be used to attach a bridge, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken. A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. It’s also used to cover a dental implant.
A bridge consists of 3 or more crowns that are actually in one piece. A bridge will replace a missing tooth and restore chewing function to an area. This is a permanent replacement for the missing tooth. The bridge will be cemented and does not go in and out of your mouth like a partial denture would.
The cost of these restorations is generally higher due to the number and length of visits required and the additional cost of having the restoration made in a dental laboratory. Materials used to fabricate these restorations are porcelain (ceramic), porcelain fused to a metal-supporting structure or gold alloys. They can either be tooth-colored or yellow gold. The material used depends on how much tooth structure is being replaced and the severity of the patients grinding/chewing habits.
We can also place crowns on anterior teeth for cosmetic reasons to get you the smile you have always wanted! Below are some examples of patients we have been able to help in our office!
Above Picture: This patient wanted to fix the crowding and staining of her teeth. She also had existing crowns on two of these teeth that were replaced also to match the new crowns.
Above Picture: Upper and lower front teeth were crowned. This patient wanted the space between his two front teeth closed.
Above Picture: Crowns were placed to restore teeth and brighten patient’s smile. This patient gained confidence and now can show off their beautiful smile!
Above Picture: This patient wanted to close all spaces. We prepped the teeth and were able to do a combination of veneers and crowns to help achieve the look she desired.