Crowns & Bridges

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may notice a difference in chewing and speaking. Replacing missing teeth is important because missing teeth can cause difficulties with eating and speaking, as well as cosmetic issues.

Also, when a tooth is missing, the neighboring teeth can drift from their normal positions and cause a malocclusion, which is when your top teeth and bottom teeth do not fit together properly. There are options to help restore your smile.

Dental Crowns

A crown (cap) is a restoration that covers the tooth to restore the tooth’s shape, size and function. A encases a damaged tooth in order to preserve its strength and integrity. A crown can also improve the aesthetics. Crowns are necessary when there isn’t enough natural tooth structure remaining to hold a new filling, to protect a cracked tooth from fracturing, to restore a broken tooth, cover a misshaped or discolored tooth, or to cover a dental implant.

Crowns typically take two appointments to complete. At the first appointment, the tooth is prepared. A mold is taken and sent to a dental laboratory. A temporary crown is made and placed until the permanent crown is ready. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for the permanent crown to be made. At the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is placed.

Dental Bridges

A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been. A bridge is a fixed permanent restoration, meaning it cannot be removed from your mouth. A bridge can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain-fused-to-metal and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.

Replacing missing teeth with a bridge typically takes 2 appointments. At your initial visit, the two teeth neighboring the missing tooth will be prepared for crowns, impressions will be taken, and a temporary bridge placed. At your second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and your permanent bridge cemented in place. Your bridge will look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. Your bridge will be fixed in place with dental cement, so it will be important for you to clean underneath your bridge to maintain the health of the supporting teeth.

Dentures, partials, and dental implants are other alternatives to replace missing teeth.