Crowns & Bridges

Learn More About Crowns and Bridges:

Among the most popular forms of restoration used in repairing teeth affected by damage or decay are dental crowns and bridges. Made to fit over the reshaped base, a crown replaces the visible portion of a damaged tooth to restore its appearance and function. When one or more missing teeth are involved, a dental bridge is created and mounted on the teeth neighboring a space created by that absent piece of dentition. Combined with dental implants, these restorations are referred to as ‘implant supported’ bridges or crowns. South Hill Comprehensive Dentistry provides these restoration services under the guidance of Dr. Ulysses Vargas in Spokane, WA.

Things To Know About Crowns and Bridges:

While all dental crowns share a similar basic structure, dental bridges cover four different forms of restoration that each has its own structure. Among these are Implant-supported bridges, cantilever bridges, Maryland bonded bridges, and traditional bridges.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Could I benefit from dental crowns or bridges?

If you have one or more teeth that are damaged, missing, or decayed, you may be able to benefit from these restorations. Crowns are intended for patients who have experienced damage or decay of a significant portion of a natural tooth, in excess of that treatable by an onlay or inlay. Bridges are best suited for those who have lost or had extracted one or more teeth. The gap where the tooth or teeth has been removed must be bordered by teeth that are generally healthy.

What Happens During Restoration Placement At South Hill Comprehensive Dentistry?

The steps involved in receiving a crown or bridge generally include two dental appointments. During the first visit, the tooth will be prepared and a dental impression taken. In the period that passes between the first and second appointment, a bridge or crown suitable to your needs and matched to your impression will be created at a lab.

Preparing the tooth requires that the target area of the mouth be numbed so that the decayed or damaged tissue can be extracted and reshaped in preparation for the final restoration. This reshaping involves reducing the size of the remaining tooth so that a crown can be slipped over it. This is also the first step of receiving a dental bridge, though instead, both teeth bordering the aforementioned gap will be reshaped in preparation for placement.

What Happens After The Restoration Is Placed?

After your first visit, a temporary restoration will be put in place, which means you’ll have to practice some care with what you eat until your second appointment. The temporary restoration isn’t as durable as the permanent restoration, which will function in a manner similar to your natural tooth.

Ready to learn more about how South Hill Comprehensive Dentistry can help you restore your smile’s beauty and function? Reach out to our clinic in Spokane, WA, and arrange a meeting with Dr. Ulysses Vargas today! During your visit, you’ll receive an exam and consultation on whether dental restoration is right for you and develop a dental plan to protect and beautify your smile.

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