Crown & Bridge
A dental crown or bridge is a great and reliable solution for restoring damaged or missing teeth. Even in cases of severe damage or decay, we can often use crowns to make your smile as good as new. And unlike dentures, these restorations are cemented in place and do not need to be removed.
Here at Chalfont Family Dentistry, we work with local labs that use the highest quality materials to create beautiful, natural-looking restorations. Since they are local we are able to offer our patients the option of custom coloring.
How long does it take to fit a dental crown?
A crown requires at least two visits to our office. During the initial visit, we will remove any decay, shape the tooth, take an impression or scan for the lab and finally, fit the tooth with a temporary crown.
During the second visit, we will remove the temporary crown, and try-in and adjust the final crown before cementing it in place.
Key Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Replaces missing teeth (Bridge)
- Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
- Looks completely natural
- Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems
What are the capabilities of crowns?
A crown requires at least two visits to our office. During the initial visit, we will remove any decay, shape the tooth, take an impression or scan for the lab and finally, fit the tooth with a temporary crown.
During the second visit, we will remove the temporary crown, and try-in and adjust the final crown before cementing it in place.
Key Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Replaces missing teeth (Bridge)
- Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
- Looks completely natural
- Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems
What exactly is a bridge or fixed partial denture?
A bridge or fixed partial denture, is a restoration that fills the gap where teeth are missing. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.
What is the procedure for a bridge?
The process to have a bridge placed is very similar to that of a crown and usually consists of two visits. At the first appointment, your doctor will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin. Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure the correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions or digital scans of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.
During the second visit, the bridge is tried in and cemented into place. It consists of one or more pontics (floating teeth, replacing those missing) and at least two anchoring crowns (cemented onto the natural teeth) that provide support for the bridge.
How do I take care of my bridge?
A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. A Waterpik is also often recommended to help keep the space clean underneath the bridge. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.
