Crowns
A crown is a prosthetic that is placed over a tooth to enhance strength and durability.When is a crown needed?
- The tooth is cracked
- The tooth has a large or broken down filling
- The tooth is severely decayed
Crowns protect the tooth from breakage and can also be used for cosmetic puposes to improve the appearance of your smile. There are several types of crowns. All porcelain crowns are more esthetic and recommended for front teeth. Porcelain fused to metal and full gold crowns are more ideal for back teeth.
· On your first visit the doctor will prepare the tooth by removing enamel on all surfaces.
· Next, an impression is taken and sent to the lab for fabrication of a custom crown.
· Before you leave, your assistant will fabricate a temporary crown for you to wear while your permanent restoration is being made.
· After a period of two to three weeks, the crown is placed with special cement.
Depending on your oral hygiene, a crown can last for 20 years or more. As a courtesy for our patients, we guarantee all major work for 7 years for those who maintain their regular check-ups and cleanings.
Bridges
Bridges are a very common and well tested way to replace one or more missing teeth.If a missing tooth is not replaced, the adjacent teeth will begin to shift; this can lead to a traumatic bite and breakage of additional teeth. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to periodontal disease and TMJ disorders.To prepare the teeth for a bridge, your dentist will prepare the teeth in front and behind the missing tooth. These teeth will serve as anchors for the bridge. An additional crown is then attached to these in order to replace the missing tooth.
After preparation is complete, an impression will be taken and sent to a lab that will fabricate your permanent bridge. You will be provided with a temporary bridge to wear while you wait for your permanent restoration. When the bridge is ready, the temporary is removed and the permanent is placed with special cement.
Bridges can be made with all porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or full gold. Your dentist can help you decide which choice is best for you based on the area that the bridge will be placed.
Dentures
When a patient has lost some or all of their natural teeth, a set of artificial teeth can be used to restore esthetics and chewing abilities. There are many reasons that a patient may lose their natural teeth:
- Severe malnutrition
- Genetic defects or disorders
- Poor oral hygiene or lack of dental care
- Trauma caused by an accident or injury
There are two types of dentures available:
- Partial detures are removable appliances designed for patients who are missing some but not all of their teeth.
- Full, or complete, dentures are removable appliances designed for patients who are missing all of their upper or lower teeth.
We are pleased to offer implant supported full and partial dentures. During this procedure, implants are strategically placed in the arch to be treated. After a period of healing, your existing full or partial denture is retrofitted to anchor to the implants. This provides the patient with a more stable appliance, resulting in higher comfort level and improved chewing abilities.