Services

crowns

Crowns and Bridges are example of prosthetic dentistry (Prosthodontic). Crowns are used to replace parts of teeth and Bridges are used to replace whole teeth that are missing from an arch. Each involves taking models and sending them to a dental lab were crowns and bridges are custom fabricated for each patient. Because these are custom prosthetic crowns and bridge can be expensive.

A crown or cap is usually placed because the remaining tooth structure is not capable of adequately supporting or retaining a regular filling. In addition, a crown will help hold together and support the remaining tooth structure, thus minimizing the chance that a tooth could fracture.

A crown will not eliminate the possibility of decay. Though the crown itself will not decay, the tooth could decay along the edges of the crown if not properly maintained.

Placing a crown usually involves two visits after decay and old filling are removed. In the case of a severely damaged tooth a core may be needed to hold the crown in place.

The first visit involves preparation (shaping) of the tooth to make room for the crown, making an impression (mold) for the lab to fabricate the crown on, and placement of an acrylic temporary to keep the tooth and gums in place.

A second visit is needed to fit and permanently cement the crown after we get it back from the lab.

Porcelain fused to metal are the type usually placed in our office