DENTAL CROWNS
Comprehensive Protection and Beautiful Restoration
Dental crowns represent one of the most versatile and effective restorative solutions available, providing comprehensive coverage and protection for teeth that have been weakened by extensive decay, large fillings, root canal treatment, fractures, or severe wear. A crown is essentially a custom-crafted cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth above the gumline, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Modern crowns are crafted from advanced materials including all-ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia that provide exceptional strength while mimicking the translucency and color of natural tooth enamel. When properly designed and expertly placed, crowns can last fifteen to twenty-five years or longer, making them an excellent long-term investment in preserving your natural teeth.
The crown procedure typically requires two appointments spanning two to three weeks. During your first visit, we'll prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping it to accommodate the crown while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. We take detailed impressions or digital scans of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth, working with you to select the ideal shade that matches your natural teeth perfectly. You'll wear a temporary crown while our dental laboratory crafts your permanent crown from premium materials. The temporary crown protects your prepared tooth and allows you to eat and function normally while your permanent crown is being created.
When your custom crown is ready, you'll return for placement where we'll remove the temporary crown, carefully try in your permanent crown to ensure perfect fit and appearance, make any final adjustments needed, and then cement it permanently in place. The result is a restored tooth that functions properly, feels comfortable, and blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. We use only premium dental laboratories staffed by master technicians who create crowns with exceptional attention to detail and artistic excellence. This commitment to quality ensures that your crown not only serves you well functionally but also enhances your smile aesthetically. Many patients tell us they forget which tooth has the crown because it looks and feels so natural.
DENTAL BRIDGES
Replacing Missing Teeth, Restoring Your Smile
Dental bridges offer an excellent solution for replacing one or more missing teeth when dental implants aren't appropriate or preferred. A bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth (called pontics) that are supported by crowns placed on the natural teeth adjacent to the gap. The supporting teeth are prepared similarly to single crown preparations, and the entire restoration—supporting crowns and replacement teeth—is crafted as a single, permanent unit that is cemented into place. Bridges restore your ability to chew effectively, maintain proper bite alignment, prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position, and restore the appearance of your smile with replacement teeth that look completely natural.
Modern bridge materials and techniques have advanced significantly, and today's bridges are stronger, more natural-looking, and longer-lasting than ever before. We utilize premium all-ceramic materials for bridges in the aesthetic zone that require the most natural appearance, and high-strength zirconia or porcelain-fused-to-metal materials for bridges in areas requiring maximum strength. Our approach to bridge design considers not only replacing the missing teeth but also ensuring that the forces of chewing are distributed properly, that the restoration is easy to clean and maintain, and that the aesthetics blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. With proper care including meticulous hygiene using special flossing techniques, bridges routinely last ten to fifteen years or longer.
The bridge procedure is similar to crown placement, typically requiring two appointments. During the first visit, we prepare the supporting teeth, take impressions or digital scans, and place temporary bridges that allow you to eat and function normally while your permanent bridge is being crafted. At the second appointment, we remove the temporary bridge, try in your permanent bridge to verify fit and appearance, make any necessary adjustments, and cement it permanently in place. We provide detailed instructions on caring for your bridge, including specialized cleaning techniques that keep the restoration and supporting teeth healthy. Many patients find that bridges provide such natural function and appearance that they quickly forget they're not their original teeth.
