Crowns & Bridges
SRD on Helton Drive in Florence, AL
 If you have space between your teeth, crowns and bridges are two of the best dental restorative options available. They can enhance the appearance of your teeth after an extraction or a trauma that knocks out a tooth.
Dental crowns and bridgework can also be combined with cosmetic treatments like Invisalign to enhance the full look of your smile.
Our team of professionals at Singing River Dentistry will walk you through the options suitable for your case. We apply evidence-based approaches to ensure the best outcomes for these restorative procedures.
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What Is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a cover that shields an existing tooth from damage. The dental crown resembles a hat. The design allows the device to protect the entire upper tooth above the gum line.
A crown is used on teeth that require protection after weakening due to decay, cracks, or fractures. Crowns can also address sensitivity that occurs from enamel erosion. Our Florence, AL dentists may use a crown to complete the tooth's structure after an implant treatment.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Crowns?
Crowns are made from a variety of materials. Factors like cost and treatment efficacy will determine the ideal choice of a dental crown. You can discuss the options suitable for your case with our Helton Drive dentists during the initial consultation.
Porcelain crowns are sought-after for their color and tooth-mimicking features. They are almost identical to your regular teeth in color and aesthetics. That makes them the ideal replacement for damaged front teeth.
Metal crowns are also becoming popular due to their versatility. The material can be fabricated into a thin but sturdy cover for an artificial tooth. The metal is usually an alloy offering the best characteristics of its two elements.
The primary disadvantage of metal is its aesthetics. It does not have the cosmetic qualities of porcelain. Metal crowns can be a cost-effective solution for molars and premolars, which are not within view at the back of the mouth.
Resin is considered the most affordable of all of the different crown materials. They are also known as composite resin crowns and are fabricated from thermoplastic compounds. The material has a distinct white color that offers cosmetic benefits for tooth restoration.
The principal drawback of composite resin crowns is their fragility and susceptibility to breaking. Crowns made out of resin are often limited to a temporary substitute for damaged teeth.
Do I Need a Dental Crown?
The principal reason dentists will suggest a crown is to limit cracking and fracturing of the tooth enamel. The cap fuses the broken pieces to prevent the tooth from falling apart.
Our Helton Drive dentists often affix crowns on teeth with severe damage from trauma, tooth grinding, or decay. A crown could be ideal for defective dental fillings on teeth with gaping holes. Patients may need a crown to shield the upper portion of the enamel after undergoing a root canal procedure.
Crowns are also suitable for cosmetic restorations due to their pleasing aesthetics. They attach to metal posts to complete the structure of the dental implant.
How Is a Crown Attached to a Dental Implant?
A dental implant consists of three parts: the root, an abutment, and a crown. The abutment links the root to the cap that mimics the portion of the tooth over the gum line. There are two ways to attach the abutment to the crown, by cementing the crown or using screws.
Dental cement is ideal where aesthetics are a critical concern, such as on the front teeth. The process employs a specialized adhesive to retain the crown. Dentists may also use screws to attach the crown. Screws are easier to repair, but they have undesirable aesthetic qualities compared to cement.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
You can expect dental crowns to last up to three decades if you adhere to proper dental care. The material will also determine the crown's durability. Most last between five to 15 years.
A crown will require replacement if there is severe deterioration or cracking. Frequent dental checkups and proper dental hygiene can extend the lifespan of the device.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a dental appliance designed to cover gaps with multiple crowns. They attach to the teeth next to the gap left by one or more missing teeth.
What Does a Dental Bridge Look Like?
A dental bridge is a device that covers the space by extending one or more crowns across the space. The oral appliance comes in a variety of designs. Dental bridges typically consist of connecting posts known as abutments. The posts connect pontics, tooth-like crowns that mimic the tooth's aesthetics.
What Are The Different Types of Dental Bridges?
There are different types of dental bridges designed to address a variety of missing teeth problems.
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Traditional bridges have caps on either side of the artificial tooth covering the gap. They require the adjacent teeth to be strong enough to support the pontic.
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Cantilever fixed bridges have a crown on only one side. They require healthy teeth on either side of the gap. They are, however, fragile and cannot sustain the bite pressure from the premolars and molars.
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Maryland bridges utilize wings instead of adjacent crowns to conceal portions of the dental appliance. They are recommended for front teeth, where aesthetics are a crucial consideration.
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Implant-supported bridges employ tooth roots to secure the bridge in place. The implant offers a stable base for the artificial teeth. |
What Are the Other Options for Replacing Missing Teeth?
Dentists can also address a missing tooth problem by affixing partial dentures or dental implants on the gap. Partial dentures are different from conventional dentures, in that they can replace a complete set of teeth on the upper or lower arch.
Partial dentures are less expensive and invasive compared to implants, but they are not as comfortable. They also demand routine maintenance, which is inconvenient for most patients.
Schedule with Our Dentists on Helton Drive in Florence, AL Today!
Consult our team at Singing River Dentistry for customized treatment for missing teeth. Contact (256) 904-4220 to book your appointment today.
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