Accidents are unavoidable. Surprises can arise in our lives, such as an accident that knocks out or breaks a tooth. In these cases, it is essential to see your restorative dentist as soon as possible so no further damage is caused. There are many fast and effective options available to help repair or replace teeth.
Bridges & Crowns
Matthews
Restoring Teeth, One Smile at a Time
Our bridges and dental crowns in Matthews are both very effective procedures when it comes to restoring teeth that have become damaged, infected or are missing. Dr. Monica Patel is a professional when it comes to completing these procedures in a way that looks natural while also resolving oral heath problems.
Crowns
Crowns help to:
A missing tooth may change the way the jawbone supports the lips and cheeks. It can also affect adjacent teeth by causing early decay. Dental crowns, also known as “teeth caps,” or “dental caps” are restorations that are placed over your natural teeth. A dental crown completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Dental cement is used to bond the crown to the tooth.
- Protect the existing tooth from breaking or hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
- Restore function to a severely worn out tooth.
- Improve the appearance of a tooth that is misshapen or discolored.
- Improve the strength of the a tooth that has large fillings and very little original tooth left.
- Make cosmetic modifications.
- Hold a dental bridge in place and cover a dental implant.
Different Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns come in a variety of materials such as stainless steel, resin, and metal alloys that have a high content of gold or platinum. But the most popular is porcelain. Porcelain crowns look the most natural, due to their color and reflective quality. They are most suitable for anyone who has metal allergies or sensitivities. Our porcelain crowns in Matthews are also stain-resistant and can be used for front and back teeth.
BEFORE & AFTER
Bridges
Teeth are made to work together. When you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth may drift or tilt into the empty space, which can affect your bite. A missing tooth places more stress on your teeth and jaw joints, which could possibly cause pain and damage or put adjacent teeth at higher risk of tooth decay. A bridge is a fixed dental restoration designed to replace a missing tooth or teeth by joining an artificial tooth. Dental bridges can also hold prosthetic teeth. They are called bridges because they bridge the gap between your existing teeth that are caused by missing teeth. Dental bridges are secured to your existing teeth, often using crowns.
Dental bridges are also called pontics. Similar to crowns, they can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
Bridges help to:
- Prevent crowding caused by shifting teeth.
- Restore aesthetics and improve the look of your smile.
- Restore full function of the teeth in terms of chewing and speaking properly.
- Distribute the forces in your bite by restoring/replacing missing teeth.
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position and causing problems in your bite.
- Maintain the structure of your face by reducing the risk of bone loss.
- Unlike dentures, they do not move as they are permanent fixtures.
Schedule your appointment today at Craft Smiles for some of the very best bridges and crowns Matthews, SC has to offer.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are four different types of dental bridges:
- Traditional Dental Bridge – This is the most popular type of dental bridge. One or more prosthetic teeth are held in place with dental crowns on both sides of the bridge. The bridge is made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics. Traditional bridges can be used when you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by your missing tooth. Your dentist will prepare the adjacent teeth by removing their enamel to make room for the crowns.
- Cantilever Bridge – These are very similar to traditional bridges, but a cantilever bridge is used when only one tooth crown can be used. That single tooth crown supports the entire bridge. It is not recommended in the back of the mouth where there is too much force on the teeth, as this can cause damage. Similar to the procedure for traditional bridges, your dentist will remove the enamel of the adjacent tooth to prepare it to support the bridge.
- Maryland Bridge – the Maryland bridge is also called a resin-bonded bridge. It is considered a conservative alternative to the Traditional bridge. Instead of using crowns, the Maryland bridge is bonded to the back of the teeth on both sides of the bridge. They are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework.
- Implant-Supported Bridge – If you are missing more than two teeth, it may make sense to use implants to secure the bridge. In this case, crowns are placed on the implants supporting the bridge, which will hold one or more teeth. Usually, one implant is placed for every missing tooth. The series of implants hold the bridge in place. As implants secure the bridges, they feel very secure and comfortable.
Are You Ready for Your Crown or Bridge?
At Craft Smiles, Dr. Monica Patel along with other experienced dentists are ready to help restore your smile. We know how important it is to have a full set of working teeth. Don’t wait, call for your appointment today.
