Dental bridges literally bridge the gap left in your mouth when you have one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge is made up of two or more dental crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap — these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth — and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and we can make them from a variety of materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or dental implants
Weiss Dentistry in Cockeysville has helped hundreds of patients over the years by placing dental crowns and dental bridges.
A dental crown is a tooth shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth; covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and /or to improve its appearance.
When dental crowns are cemented into place, they fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
You may need a dental crown in the following situations
The three predominant choices of restorative materials for the full coverage crowns are:
The material selected is determined by the clinical needs at hand; esthetic demands, strength requirements, material durability and restorative space available.
This very popular option is recommended for “visible” teeth to insure completely natural esthetics. The predominant material of choice for all ceramic crowns today is either zirconia, or aluminous materials. They provide a metal free esthetic option with a number of benefits.
By eliminating the need for the supportive metal core, an esthetic all ceramic crown can be created with a reduced thickness of material. This makes them a more favorable treatment choice in areas with limited space. Additionally, the elimination of the metal core allows for light transmission through the porcelain for better optical, life-like properties and a higher level of esthetics.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns provide for a strong, durable, and esthetic treatment option. This crown can be color matched to your adjacent teeth. One of the key factors for the esthetic and functional success of this type of crown is ensuring the preparation of the underlying tooth structure provides adequate space for the appropriate thickness of the material selected.
One consideration in the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown is that these crowns may tend to show the underlying metal or gold margin at the gum line as gums recede over time.
The process of getting a dental bridge and dental crowns may require several visits to our office. This allows us to ensure that your mouth and remaining teeth are properly prepared for placement of the crowns and eventual bridge. You may receive a temporary dental bridge to protect exposed teeth and gums while your dental bridge is fabricated.
If you need to replace a dental crown or dental bridge, want to schedule a consultation, or if you’re looking for a new dentist, contact our Cockeysville office today at (410) 666-9266 to set up an appointment. We are taking new patients, and take many forms of dental insurance, including Delta Dental.
