Crowns & Bridges

What are Dental Crowns and Bridges?

Also referred to as caps, dental crowns are lifelike artificial coverings designed to restore full functionality. Dental bridges consist of three or more crowns when one or more teeth are missing. Both types of fabrications can be made from different materials, such as:

• • Metal alloy

• • Stainless steel

• • Ceramic

• • Resin

• • Porcelain

What are the Benefits of Dental Crowns and Bridges?

Apart from offering relief for tooth and gum pain, dental crown treatments and dental bridges have numerous health and cosmetic benefits. The dentists at Rollins Family Dental Center recommend either for a plethora of reasons, including to:

• • Solve problems with the spacing, shape, or color of teeth

• • Repair broken, worn, decayed, or destroyed teeth

• • Mask big fillings and root canals to reduce fracture risk

• • Treat chewing pain from cracked tooth syndrome

• • Restore cusps lost from trauma

• • Restore strength lost from acid reflux and habitual grinding

How Do Crown and Bridge Treatments Work?

After Dr. Canty or another dentist confirms you need one or more individual crowns or a bridge of three or more crowns, he administers local anesthesia to desensitize the treatment area. If needed, he adds a filling to ensure each crown has sufficient surface area for bonding. Then he gently removes a tiny amount of your tooth to allow enough room to add each crown.

A dentist at Rollins Family Dental Center makes crowns or a bridge after taking a detailed impression of your tooth using putty or a digital scan. Sometimes a temporary crown is needed for several weeks to ensure proper fit and function.

Your caps or bridge matches the surrounding teeth in color as closely as possible. Porcelain and ceramic are the most preferred for their strength and lifelike clarity.

Does Getting a Crown or Bridge Hurt?

The application of local anesthesia sometimes causes slight pain before it numbs the treatment area. After it wears off, any residual discomfort will dissipate soon.

How Long Do Dental Crowns and Bridges Last?

Crowns typically last 10-20 years, while bridges can last 5-15 years or longer depending on the materials chosen, the condition of your surrounding natural teeth, and how well you take care of them.

Crowns clean as easily as real teeth, while bridges can sometimes require a little extra skill with floss and threaders.

To see if a dental crown or bridge is right for you, make an appointment online or by calling the office today.