Crowns & Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are safe and reliable procedures to help cover and repair single or multiple damaged teeth. These treatments are ideal for patients who suffer from cavities or have missing teeth that need to be replaced. While the purpose of crowns and bridges are similar, there are some substantial differences in how they’re installed.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a device that “bridges” the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. It’s made from materials such as porcelain, resin, or alloys that are fused to fit into the space left by your tooth. The false tooth is attached to either an abutment or an existing tooth which bridged by another tooth called the pontic.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a device resembling a cap that’s placed on top of missing or damaged teeth. These crowns are also used to protect, cover, and restore your remaining healthy tooth from further damage. If your teeth no longer have pulp or if the tooth is missing, the crowns are placed over dental implants.
Dental Crown Installation Procedure
Before the patient receives their crowns, the first step is to assess their dental health and speak with them about their goals. At this point, the patient’s teeth are examined to determine whether or not dental crowns are practical. Your dentist may also use x-rays to determine the extent of the damage to your teeth.
To set the crown, the damaged tooth must be filed down to make way for the artificial cap to cover the remaining tooth. In cases in which a tooth is missing altogether, another method includes installing dental implants as anchors.
Dental Bridge Installation Procedure
Before the start of the process, your dentist will first take your impression to assess your dental health condition. When installing dental bridges, they use existing teeth or dental implants as anchors on either side of the gap left by a missing tooth to secure the device.
Benefits of Crowns and Bridges
- Improves overall appearance of your teeth
- Enhances your ability to speak
- Restores eating habits
- Balances your facial structure
Are You Interested in Getting Crowns or Bridges in Vestavia Hills, AL?
Dental crowns and bridges are a solution for damaged, missing, or cracked teeth. Our team at Highlands Dental Arts can help you improve your ability to eat, speak, and even improve your facial appearance with these devices. Give us a call today to get started!
