Restoring Your Radiant Smile
A Beautiful New Smile is Within Reach
The Importance of Restorative Dental Care
A whole smile is a healthy smile. Restorative dentistry plays a pivotal role in maintaining your oral health and preserving the beauty of your smile. Whether you have a damaged tooth, a missing tooth, or other dental concerns, our skilled team is here to provide quality restorative care.
Repairing and Replacing Problem Teeth
- Preservation of Tooth Structure: Crowns help protect and strengthen teeth that have been weakened due to decay, large fillings, or fractures. This preservation prevents further damage and potential tooth loss.
- Bridges for Missing Teeth: Dental bridges are used to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth. This not only restores your smile's appearance but also prevents adjacent teeth from shifting, which can lead to bite problems.
- Enhanced Functionality: Restoring damaged or missing teeth improves your ability to chew, speak, and maintain proper oral hygiene. It also helps maintain facial structure and aesthetics.
- Boosted Confidence: A healthy, complete smile can significantly enhance your self-esteem and quality of life. Restorative care ensures you can confidently showcase your radiant smile.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of crowns and bridges, from what they are to the processes involved in obtaining them.
What Are Crowns?
Dental crowns, often referred to as "caps," are custom-made covers that fit over your natural tooth. They are designed to restore a tooth's shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are commonly used for a variety of dental issues:
- Protecting a Weak Tooth: A crown provides vital support and protection when a tooth is significantly weakened by decay or fractures.
- Covering a Large Filling: Crowns are used to encase teeth with large fillings, preserving their structural integrity.
- Restoring a Broken or Worn Tooth: If you have a tooth that's chipped, cracked, or excessively worn, a crown can restore both function and aesthetics.
- After Root Canal Treatment: Teeth undergoing root canal therapy often receive crowns to strengthen them and prevent further damage.
The Process of Receiving a Crown
Getting a dental crown at SkyeView Dental is a streamlined process designed to prioritize your comfort and satisfaction.
Consultation and Evaluation
Tooth Preparation
Impressions
Temporary Crown
Crown Placement
Final Assessment
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are restorations used to replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth, known as pontics, anchored by crowns on adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Bridges offer numerous benefits:
- Restoring Aesthetics: Bridges fill the gap left by missing teeth, restoring your smile's natural appearance.
- Improved Chewing Function: Replacing missing teeth with bridges enhances your ability to chew and speak properly.
- Preventing Shifting: By "bridging" the gap between your teeth, these restorations prevent adjacent teeth from shifting out of position, maintaining your bite's proper alignment.
The Process of Getting a Dental Bridge
Obtaining a dental bridge involves a structured and patient-focused approach.
Consultation and Planning
Tooth Preparation
Impressions and Temporary Bridge
Bridge Placement
Final Assessment
How Long Does It Take to Get a Crown or Bridge?
The timeframe for receiving a crown or bridge can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your case and the type of restoration you need. However, here's a general timeline:
- Consultation and Evaluation: This initial visit typically takes one appointment.
- Tooth Preparation and Impressions: These steps may require an additional appointment, lasting about one to two hours.
- Temporary Crown or Bridge: You'll wear a temporary crown or bridge while your permanent restoration is being crafted (usually two to three weeks).
- Crown or Bridge Placement: The final appointment for crown or bridge placement generally takes one to two hours.
The entire process typically spans a few weeks, allowing for creating your custom restoration and ensuring the highest quality results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How are dental crowns and bridges made?
Both crowns and bridges are custom-made to ensure a precise fit and a natural appearance. The process involves:
- Tooth preparation: If necessary, the dentist shapes the tooth to receive the crown or prepares adjacent teeth for bridge attachment.
- Impressions: Precise impressions of the prepared teeth are taken to create a custom restoration.
- Temporary restoration: While the permanent crown or bridge is crafted, a temporary restoration is placed to protect the tooth and maintain function.
- Final placement: The permanent crown or bridge is placed, ensuring a secure fit, comfort, and natural appearance.
Are dental crowns and bridges permanent?
While dental crowns and bridges are durable and long-lasting, they may require replacement after several years due to wear and tear. Proper oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and avoiding habits like teeth grinding can extend their lifespan.
Do crowns and bridges look natural?
Yes, modern crowns and bridges are designed to look highly natural. They are customized to match the shape, size, and color of your existing teeth, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your smile.
Does the crown or bridge placement procedure hurt?
The placement of crowns and bridges is typically not painful. Your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area, ensuring you are comfortable during the procedure. Afterward, some mild discomfort or sensitivity is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
How long does it take to get a dental crown or bridge?
The timeframe varies based on factors like the complexity of your case and the type of restoration you need. Typically, the process spans a few weeks:
- Consultation and evaluation: 1 appointment.
- Tooth preparation and impressions: 1-2 appointments.
- Temporary restoration: While the permanent one is crafted (usually 2-3 weeks).
- Final placement: 1-2 hours.
How do I care for my crown or bridge?
To ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge:
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly.
- Attend regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
- Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods that could damage the restoration.
- Consider a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
Does dental insurance cover crowns and bridges?
Many dental insurance plans partially cover the cost of crowns and bridges, especially if they are deemed necessary for your oral health. It's advisable to check with your insurance provider or our office staff to understand your specific coverage. Our team offers flexible payment options and financing solutions to make your care affordable to you.
What If I have dental anxiety?
If you have dental anxiety, let your dentist know. She can discuss options such as sedation or relaxation techniques to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
Can crowns and bridges fail?
While crowns and bridges are durable, they can fail due to factors like poor oral hygiene, dental trauma, or natural wear over time. Regular dental check-ups can help detect and address issues early to prevent failure.
How long do crowns and bridges last?
With proper care and maintenance, crowns and bridges can last on average 10 to 15 years or more. However, individual experiences may vary.
Can I eat normally with a crown or bridge?
Yes, you can eat normally with a crown or bridge. However, it's advisable to avoid very hard or sticky foods to prevent damage to the restoration.
Can I whiten my teeth with crowns or bridges?
Crowns and bridges are resistant to teeth whitening treatments. If you plan to whiten your teeth, it's typically recommended to do so before getting a crown or bridge to match the restoration's color to your desired shade.
Can I get crowns or bridges If I have gum disease?
It's essential to address gum disease before receiving crowns or bridges. Gum disease can affect the stability of the restoration, so your dentist will recommend appropriate treatment to ensure a healthy foundation for the restoration.