A crown is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused through accidents, diseases or wear and tear when damage to teeth is extreme. Crowns are fabricated in a lab, made from high strength material, typically porcelain or zirconia, and look and feel like your natural teeth. The placement of crowns will restore a complete smile and a functional bite.
A bridge is used to replace missing teeth. Processed in a lab like a crown, a bridge attaches artificial teeth (a pontic) to adjacent natural teeth (an abutment) by bonding the bridge in place.
Crowns require at least two visits. First, to prepare the remaining tooth structure for the crown by removing the decay, reshaping the tooth and taking an impression or scan that will be sent to our lab. A temporary crown will be fitted until the permanent is made and ready to be placed in the mouth. Our local lab will construct the crown to encircle the tooth. The second appointment is to bond the crown into place.
Normally a bridge will take two appointments—the first to prep the abutment teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing tooth. This is done by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin and taking an impression or scan that will be sent to the lab. They will then construct the bridge that will hold the artificial tooth in place. A temporary bridge is placed to hold the space until the permanent bridge is made and ready to be placed in the mouth. The second appointment is to permanently bond the bridge into place. Another bridge option called a Maryland Bridge uses two wings to attach the pontic to the abutment teeth by bonding the wings to the back of the abutment teeth. This is a less evasive option to replace a tooth.
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