Crowns and Bridges
If you have a worn, damaged or missing tooth, our experienced team at Palm Beach Dental can help you.
We have successfully restored the appearance and function of many patients’ teeth with crowns and bridges. A consultation with one of our dentists will help you determine if a crown or bridge is the right solution for you.
A crown is a restoration that gets placed over your worn or damaged tooth to restore its structure and aesthetic. A bridge attaches to your teeth on either side of a gap, replacing a missing tooth and restoring the function and appearance of your smile.
At Palm Beach Dental, we use porcelain for our crowns and bridges. Porcelain is one of the most durable and stain-resistant materials for dental restorations. Our porcelain crowns and bridges are precisely colour-matched to your existing teeth. When it comes to crowns and bridges, you can rely on us to deliver natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a custom-made, thin ceramic shell that fits over your tooth like a cap. It gets bonded in place providing you with lasting function and aesthetic.
Crowns are an effective cosmetic dental treatment for restoring a tooth. If your tooth has significant damage or decay, it may not have enough natural structure to hold a dental filling. In this case, your dentist may recommend a dental crown. Crowns are also an option for protecting a weak tooth or covering up a stained or misshapen tooth.
The exact process for getting a dental crown may differ from patient to patient depending on the case at hand. Generally, you can expect the process look like this:
- Your dentist will start by preparing your tooth for your dental crown. This is done by removing a thin layer of the surface of your tooth to make space for the crown to fit over it. This part of the process takes place under local anaesthesia, so you’ll experience little discomfort.
- Once your tooth preparation is complete, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth.
- The impression is sent to the dental lab for the custom-creation of your crown. Your crown is colour-matched to your natural teeth to blend in perfectly once placed.
- Your dentist may fit a temporary crown to protect your tooth whilst you wait for your permanent crown to be ready.
- When your crown is ready, your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits your tooth perfectly. Once you’re both happy, they will bond it in place.
- Your dentist will do a final polish for a natural, smooth finish, and you’re good to go!
Dental Bridges
If you are missing one or two teeth, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge as a solution. A bridge uses existing teeth to anchor onto, filling the gap between them with a prosthetic tooth. It involves the use of crowns to cap the teeth on either side of the gap. The prosthetic tooth attaches to the two crowns.
Bridges are an effective solution for restoring the function and appearance of smiles with missing teeth. However, they may not be a viable option for all patients. A bridge needs a solid foundation. This foundation is provided by the adjacent teeth. So, if they’re too weak or severely decayed, a bridge might not be beneficial.
If you are a suitable candidate for a bridge you can expect it to enhance your smile and ability to chew and speak. A bridge can also prevent your remaining teeth from shifting as a result of a space created by a missing tooth.
The exact process for getting a dental bridge may differ from patient to patient depending on the case at hand. Generally, you can expect the process look like this:
- Your dentist will start by preparing your teeth on either side of your gap for their crowns that will secure your bridge. They will do this by removing a thin layer of the surface of these teeth to make space for their crowns to fit over them. This part of the process takes place under local anaesthesia, so you’ll experience little discomfort.
- Once your teeth have been prepared, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth.
- The impression is sent to the dental lab for the custom-creation of your bridge. Your bridge is colour-matched to your natural teeth to blend in perfectly once placed.
- Your dentist may fit a temporary bridge to protect your tooth whilst you wait for your permanent bridge to be ready.
- When your bridge is ready, your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits perfectly. Once you’re both happy, they will bond it in place.
- Your dentist will do a final polish for a natural, smooth finish, and you’re good to go!
Caring for Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and bridges need the same care as your natural teeth. In a nutshell, they need to stay clean and be regularly assessed by your dentist.
Cleaning a crown is a little easier than cleaning a bridge, given a bridge’s gap underneath it where your tooth once was. A crown needs normal twice-daily brushing and flossing. A bridge needs twice-daily brushing as well as super-flossing several times a week.
Maintaining regular dental check-ups will allow your dentist to track your oral health and the condition of your crown or bridge. The care given to crowns and bridges will ultimately determine how long they last. It’s important to remember that whilst they can’t decay, your surrounding teeth and gums are susceptible to disease.
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