Crowns & Bridges
It can be challenging to keep track of all of your options in dentistry, especially with tooth restorations like crowns and bridges. What do they do? What's the difference between a crown and a bridge.
Porcelain dental crowns and bridges are similar because they're both tooth restorations that return your mouth to a healthy state. Dental crowns protect damaged or broken teeth, and dental bridges replace missing teeth.
At Elizabeth Township Family Dentistry, we're proud of the beautiful, natural-looking crowns and bridges we offer that help our patients eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Dental Crowns for Damaged Teeth
When a tooth sustains significant decay or damage, a tooth filling may not be sufficient to save it. In this case, our dentists recommend a dental crown as the best solution to preserve the tooth's structure.
A porcelain crown is a tooth-shaped ceramic cap that is bonded securely over the damaged tooth. The crown protects the damaged tooth beneath it and shields it from excessive chewing forces.
At Elizabeth Township Family Dentistry, we customize your all-porcelain dental crown to match your tooth shape and shade and blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth.
When Our Dentists Recommend a Crown
Porcelain dental crowns are widely used because they're so versatile. At our Elizabeth, PA dental office, our dentists commonly recommend dental crowns to:
- Straighten broken or cracked teeth
- Protect a tooth after root canal treatment
- Anchor a dental bridge securely in place
- Restore function to a dental implant
- Correct the aesthetics of a flawed tooth
Dental Bridges for Missing Teeth
Dental crowns restore damaged teeth that remain in the gum line; a dental bridge takes the place of one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge gets its name because it spans the gap in your smile. A dental crown is attached to both adjacent teeth for support, and a prosthetic tooth called a pontic fills the gap in between.
The process for having either a crown or bridge placed on your tooth or teeth is the same; you can expect two visits to our dental office spaced about 2-3 weeks apart. We carefully design the shape and shade of your new restoration during the first, and during the second, we cement your final crown or bridge securely on your teeth.
Caring for a Crown or Bridge
If you take care of your crown or bridge, there's a good chance that it will stay strong and secure for many years. Be sure you continue to brush and floss your teeth regularly and visit our dentists every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
If your crown or bridge is in the front of the mouth, be careful when into hard or crunchy foods. These restorations are sturdy enough to withstand normal chewing forces, but it's best not to risk damaging them with a stray popcorn kernel.
Do You Have a Broken or Missing Tooth?
Dental crowns and bridges are widely-used restorative solutions that resolve the dental damage that many patients face. So if you have an aching, damaged, or missing tooth (or teeth), don't hesitate to contact your dentist for a solution!
We are pleased to serve patients in Elizabeth Township, Jefferson, Irwin, North Huntingdon, and surrounding areas.
