Dental Crowns & Bridges
Still two of the most commonly used dental restorations, crowns, and bridges have been the gold standard in dental restoration for decades. They allow us to replace lost tooth structure while closely mimicking the natural look, feel, and function of our patients’ smiles. We frequently recommend dental crowns and bridges and offer these reliable restorations in a variety of materials. Like any treatment at Edgewood Dental, we will customize your plan to ensure you get the exact result you need to smile with complete confidence. Contact us to find out more about any of the services we offer in our Michigan City dentistry practice or to schedule an appointment.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are restorations used to repair a damaged or decayed tooth that is beyond restoration with a simple filling. Instead, the crown can be crafted to fit completely over the top of the damaged tooth, allowing us to maintain healthy dental structures and replace any parts of the tooth that were lost.
What are Fixed Bridges?
Traditional fixed bridges use dental crowns to support a replacement tooth. This replacement tooth is called a pontic, and it is fused to a dental crown on both sides. These crowns are then fitted onto the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth, creating a bridge over the vacated socket where the tooth was lost.
What are They Made From?
Dental restorations are available in a variety of materials that each have a unique set of advantages. Gold is often recommended for back teeth because it is able to absorb a great deal of impact without being damaged. Additionally, gold crowns do not create excessive wear against the opposing teeth. However, gold is not the most natural looking material, and it is immediately noticeable within the smile line. For patients concerned with a more aesthetic appearance, we can offer porcelain fused to gold and all-ceramic restorations. Porcelain fused to gold restorations look flawless when they’re placed, but they do have a tendency to darken over time as the porcelain layer wears away. All-ceramic restorations maintain their flawless appearance even after years of wear.
What is the Restoration Process?
The process typically takes two appointments. During the initial visit, we prepare your tooth or teeth, design the custom restoration, capture impressions for our dental lab, and place a temporary. Once the custom crown or bridge is received from the lab, you’ll return to exchange the temporary for your flawless, final restoration. Our office also offers same-day dental restorations using the CEREC system.