Crowns & Bridges

Our office offers many types of crowns and bridges. Crowns are a covering that is permanently cemented to a tooth to protect it. Crowns may be needed if too little tooth remains after a cavity or fracture of a tooth. Crowns can be made from gold, alloy, porcelain or other ceramic materials. Porcelain and other ceramic materials are used to create a more aesthetic appearance and can be used on nearly any tooth. Most crowns cover the entire tooth, but it is still possible to get a cavity on a tooth underneath the crown. Teeth with crowns still need daily brushing, flossing and regular professional cleanings.

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A bridge is similar to a crown, but a bridge is made to replace a missing tooth or teeth. When a tooth is missing, a crown is made to cover each tooth on either side of the missing tooth space. A fake tooth is then created to replace the missing tooth and the fake tooth is connected to the crowns on either side. A bridge is permanently cemented, much like a crown. Bridges also come in gold, porcelain or ceramic. They must be cleaned regularly and also require special flossing techniques to clean underneath them.

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Fillings

Fillings are done to remove decay and replace the lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, composite or porcelain. If caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated, decay can lead to tooth pain and infection, and the tooth may need root canal treatment or an extraction. A filling helps prevent further decay by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria can enter. The two most common restorations offered at our office are amalgam, which is referred to as a silver filling, and composite, which is referred to as a tooth-colored filling. Our dentists will discuss with you what material is recommended in each specific case.

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