Restore Your Smile with Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges can perform several functions, including correcting teeth that are broken, worn, decayed, or that are cosmetically unappealing. A dental bridge is composed of multiple crowns that are connected and their function is to replace one or more missing teeth. Both provide great stability and longevity to the tooth. At our Loveland office we choose to use the more esthetic materials to make our crowns and bridges.
What Materials are Crowns Made of?
Dental crowns can be made of porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, gold or a combination of other metals. At West Lake Dental, we prefer to design our crowns using life-like porcelain and ceramic materials. The crown is custom made for you to ensure that it matches your other teeth and also is comfortable within your occlusion or bite. It will look, act and function like your natural teeth- and porcelain is also highly resistant to staining.
When is a Dental Crown Recommended?
Dental crowns can correct a number of tooth issues, including...
- Broken teeth
- Severely worn teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Esthetically flawed teeth
- And several more circumstances
Loveland dentist, Dr. Maples will thoroughly discuss your options with you, including why a crown may be your best option for restorative care.
The Steps for the Perfect Dental Crown
Fabricating a crown usually takes two visits, but sometimes it can be completed in one. Typically the first appointment entails removing the decay and previous restoration, rebuilding the tooth and then shaping it for the future crown. An impression is then taken either by scanning the tooth with an intra-oral scanner or a combination of gel like materials. A temporary tooth is then made for you to wear while the crown is being made. The second appointment involves removing the temporary crown and checking the fit of the new crown. It has to fit against your adjacent teeth correctly, as well as fit within your existing bite. After checking the fit of the crown it is next bonded to your tooth through a series of steps. When your leave the office your crown is fully set up and ready to go.
What are Dental Bridges & How Do They Work?
While a crown is used to give an individual tooth support, a dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. The materials used to make bridges are the same as for a crown, and are tooth colored also. A bridge uses the two teeth on either side of the missing tooth or gap as anchors for a series of connected crowns. A bridge is cemented to your teeth and cannot be removed for cleaning. It’s function is to fill the missing space and restore your ability to eat, speak, smile and also prevent the surrounding teeth from drifting out of their place.
Keeping Dental Crowns & Bridges Clean
It's important that you maintain good oral hygiene habits after you've received your crown or bridge. Fortunately, maintenance of a dental bridge or crown isn't much different than maintaining your teeth. With crowns your tooth is the foundation for your crown, so brushing twice a day for two minutes, as well as flossing once a day will keep it clean and in good shape. For a dental bridge brushing twice a day for two minutes is necessary and since you are not able to floss the teeth attached to the bridge, either using a waterpik or floss threaders will help keep the anchor teeth clean and healthy.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you have further questions regarding dental crowns or bridges please contact your dentist in Loveland, Colorado and we are happy to provide answers to any questions you may have. We offer a range of restorative solutions and are happy to discuss them with you at your next visit. We proudly serve the Loveland, Colorado area, as well as all of Northern Colorado.
