Dental Services

Dental Crown & Bridge

Crowns

Crowns are made of porcelain and cover the biting surfaces of the tooth. They are often necessary with large cavities or when replacing old fillings. A crown can help restore the strength of a tooth.

Here are some common questions about Dental Crowns and Bridges:

How long does it take?

For a single crown, it generally takes 2 visits. The first visit we file the tooth and take an impression (mold) of the filed tooth. Then we place a temporary crown on the filed tooth to protect it. Three weeks later, we remove the temporary and permanently cement the final crown. With CEREC technology we can complete a crown in a single visit.

How long does a crown last?

Nothing in life is guaranteed. With good home care and routine cleanings and exams, a crown can last a very long time.

Can I still get a cavity in a crowned tooth?

Yes. Your natural tooth is still present underneath the crown and with poor home care, decay can occur.

What is the difference between a “cap” and a “crown”?

There is no difference – they both mean the same thing.

Bridges

Bridges are used when there is a missing tooth from an extraction or congenitally missing teeth, and the missing tooth will be replaced by an artificial tooth or pontic. A 3-unit bridge is 3 teeth that are splinted together to replace 1 tooth.

The teeth next to the missing space are filed down, and then an impression is taken. That impression is sent to the lab to begin fabricating the bridge. While the permanent bridge is being made, a temporary bridge covers the filed teeth. Here are some common questions:

Does a bridge come in and out?

No. A bridge is a permanent restoration and is cemented into place. Unlike a bridge, a removable partial denture is taken in and out and clips onto remaining teeth to hold it into place.

How do I keep a bridge clean?

Because the teeth are splinted together you must use a floss threader to floss underneath the bridge or a proxy brush to brush underneath the bridge.

 

Before Dental Crown by Family Dentist in Middletown DE

Before Crown

After Dental Crown by Family Dentist in Middletown DE

After Crown

 

Before Dental Crown by Family Dentist in Middletown DE

Before Crown

After Dental Crown by Family Dentist in Middletown DE

After Crown