Crowns & Bridges Specialist

What is a crown?

A dental crown is also called a "cap." It's placed on top of a damaged tooth. It is sculpted to the shape of the original tooth and can enhance its strength and appearance. The crown is placed on top of the original tooth, completely covering the area of the tooth that can be seen above the gum line. It's sealed in place with a special cement.

What is a dental bridge?

If you need a false tooth, Dr. Bennett may offer you the option to receive a dental bridge. In this case, the false tooth is affixed in your mouth by connecting it—or bridging it —to the nearby teeth by placing dental crowns on the teeth that abut the false tooth. It is stabilized by placing one crown on each tooth on either side of the false tooth. Alternately, if there is only one tooth abutting the area where you need a false tooth, Dr. Bennett places a crown on that single tooth to hold the false tooth in place.

Do I need a crown or bridge?

The experienced dentists at HB Dental may suggest a crown for many reasons. A crown can cover a strangely-shaped or dark tooth, or a dental implant.

In addition to making a tooth more aesthetically appealing, a crown can serve a practical purpose by strengthening a natural tooth. Crowns can strengthen teeth that are at risk of breaking or that have weakened as a result of large fillings.

A dental bridge may be necessary if your tooth can’t be restored with a crown. Instead, you can replace the tooth with a false tooth held in place by crowns on the neighboring teeth.

Whether you need a crown or bridge for cosmetic reasons or to strengthen weakened or broken teeth, these dental tools can help you get your best smile.

Which kind of crown is right for my teeth?

Dental crown construction has advanced over the years. Crowns can be fashioned out of many materials, including:

• Stainless steel
• Gold or another alloy
• Porcelain fused to metal
• Resin
• Ceramic

The material used depends on a range of factors. For example, stainless steel is often used to make temporary crowns. Prefabricated stainless steel crowns are a frequent choice for children who have decayed baby teeth and need crowns.

Metal crowns are durable and able to endure the force of chewing and eating, but because of their color, they're usually reserved for use on back molars.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns looks more like natural teeth than metal crowns but have some drawbacks. For instance, the opposing teeth may endure more wear than they would with other types of crowns, and the metal portion of the crown may show as a dark line near the gums.

All-resin crowns are generally a less expensive option, but are also more prone to cracking, whereas all-ceramic crowns are the best option for people who have metal allergies.

Whether you need a crown to cover a damaged tooth or to affix a dental bridge in place, Dr. Bennett and his educated team can help you make the right decision for your unique smile.

What's involved with a dental crown or bridge procedure?

A dental crown procedure generally requires at least two visits to the dentist whether you need the crown for an existing tooth or to replace a missing one. The first visit will include X-rays so that Dr. Bennett can determine the health of the tooth that needs a crown.

Next, Dr. Bennett will administer anesthesia, then build up or file down the original tooth so that the crown will attach securely. After, he will make an impression of your teeth, which will be sent to the dental lab and used to construct a custom crown. If necessary, HB Dental will create a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent crown or bridge can be placed.

To learn more about dental crowns and bridges, call HB Dental or make an appointment online.