Restorations for strength and aesthetics
Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance either following a restorative procedure such as a root canal or when decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed. Crowns can be made from porcelain or a metal substance. Bridges are dental appliances used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. They consist of a crown connecting to another crown with a fake tooth or teeth (called a pontic) in between. The pontic replaces the space with a natural looking tooth structure.
The procedure for crowns and bridges
- A tooth must usually be reduced in size in order for the new crown to fit over the existing tooth.
- A scan of your teeth is done following reduction of the tooth to send to the lab for fabrication of the crown. Using a scanner eliminates the need for dental impressions.
- A temporary crown is cemented onto the reduced tooth to protect the tooth until the permanent crown is made.
- The scan is electronically sent to the lab, where they make the new crown and send it to us for cementation in approximately two weeks.
- The new crown is cemented and checked for the proper color match, bite, and contact with the adjacent teeth.
