Crowns & Bridges

Dental Bridges: If permanent dental implants aren't in your plans (they're often more expensive, and some insurance companies will cover them while others won't – or many people don't have insurance), a dental bridge is a realistic (and less expensive) alternative. Your healthy teeth serve as anchors for porcelain that will support your prosthetic teeth in dental bridges. They ensure that your bridge has a longer lifespan and can sometimes replace more than one missing tooth at a time by using healthy teeth as an anchor.

Crowns: A crown is a covering that goes over a single tooth that has had a root canal to keep it covered and protected in the future. The crown aids in the restoration of the tooth's prior health. While a person might get many crowns, each crown only covers one tooth at a time.
What is the Purpose of a Dental Crown/Bridge?
The most frequent options to permanent dental implants are a dental crown or bridge. If you are missing one or more teeth in a row but have healthy teeth on either side of the missing teeth, you may need a dental bridge. The dental bridge, which replaces the lost teeth, can be held in place by the surviving teeth.

A dental crown is the "cap" that is placed on a tooth after it has been treated with a root canal. Typically, a temporary crown will be placed on the tooth before returning in a few weeks for the final crown. The permanent crown is custom-made to fit your teeth and will last for decades. It avoids the need for the tooth to be extracted.

When Getting a Crown, Here's What to Expect:
You will be given an anesthetic before having a crown placed so that you do not experience any discomfort or agony during the process. Before cleaning out the cavity, your dentist will remove any damaged pulp from the tooth, leaving a clean, healthy surface for the crown to be placed on. Before a temporary crown is placed on your tooth, dental imprints will be obtained of your teeth.

Once the permanent crown is made, you will have a follow-up appointment in a few weeks. Your dentist will use a special dental cement to bind the cap to your teeth for the long term. He'll make sure the crown fits the function and appearance of your teeth once it's cemented to the tooth.
What to Expect When Having a Bridge: When getting a dental bridge, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to assist you prevent any pain or discomfort. Any root canals or extractions that are required will be completed. Your dentist will then take impressions of the necessary places in order to manufacture a bridge that fits properly in your mouth. The dentist will provide you with a temporary bridge to wear while the permanent bridge is being created.

You will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to receive your permanent bridge. Before you depart, the dentist will make any required adjustments to the bridge to guarantee a flawless fit.