Dental Crowns and Bridges

[insert_video vid_id=”1PeXaSzDRA8″ align=”left” width=”50%” thumb_reso=”maxresdefault” transcript=”For the patient who has an urgent need to have a crown made for a tooth, the computer-aided system that we have in-house allows us to make the crown in several hours if we need to. Versus the traditional two to three week wait with a traditional dental laboratory. There’s still situations where we send things to dental laboratories for certain types of situations. I can think of bridges for example, but individual crowns in many situations, in most situations, if we have to, we can turn them around in a single day if we need to.”]If you have a missing, damaged, or decayed tooth in need of repair, we offer a wide variety of dental crown and bridge options. We can restore your functionality and get you back to your normal life.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a type of dental restoration that completely covers your natural tooth, restoring its strength and integrity. You may need a dental crown if you have :

  • Large areas of decayed tooth.
  • A broken or cracked tooth.
  • Your tooth has been injured in some way.

What crown and bridge material options do you offer?

We choose the material depending on your specific needs.

  • e.max. Very nice esthetics and good durability. A very natural-looking crown.
  • Zirconium. Highly durable. Often used for molars and other areas where the strength is needed. Can also be layered with porcelain for exceptional aesthetics.
  • Porcelain fused to metal. Used in areas that need the added strength of the metal base. Still aesthetically pleasing due to the tooth-colored porcelain.

What is a dental bridge?

[insert_video vid_id=”OKicehrIUH8″ align=”right” width=”50%” thumb_reso=”maxresdefault”]Dental Bridges are designed to replace one or more missing teeth by using teeth adjacent to the missing teeth to support the bridge. In its simplest form, you can think of it like a bridge across a stream.  A road bridge has to be solidly anchored to each shore so it can support the span across the water, allowing normal traffic to safely use the road.  A dental bridge uses strong teeth on either side of the missing tooth to support a ‘false’ tooth that looks and functions just like the tooth it replaces. This is a very natural-looking dental restoration and will keep your supporting teeth from shifting out of place due to the gap. Because the teeth in the bridge are fastened together when the bridge is made, floss will need to be manipulated differently to effectively clean the teeth holding the bridge and where the ‘false’ tooth (known as a “pontic”) rests gently on the gum tissue.  We will be sure to show you how to do this.

What are the alternatives to fixed bridges?

Dental bridges can make sense where teeth adjacent to a missing tooth already need dental crowns. However, if the teeth adjacent to a missing tooth are pristine, it makes no sense to grind them down to support a bridge. A dental implant supported crown does not involve the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth it replaces. Dental Implants are inserted into the jawbone, mimicking the function of a tooth root in the bone and thereby stimulating and preserving the bone in that area. Over time, fixed dental bridges tend to allow the bone where the tooth root is missing to degrade due to the lack of tooth root in the bone. If you are interested in a dental implant solution to your missing teeth, learn more about your options here.

How can I make an appointment?

If you are ready to make an appointment, you can reach us at 610-314-7534. You can also send us a message using our online form. Just fill it out, click submit, and a member of our team will get back with you as soon as possible. We will be happy to help you get the restorative work you need.