Crowns and Bridges at St. Leonards Green Dental
When your teeth are too damaged to repair with a small filling, you need a long-lasting porcelain restoration that will stand up to everyday wear. Our ceramic crowns, inlays, onlays and bridges aren’t just durable; they look great too!
Depending on what your smile has been through, your restorative needs will be different for each tooth. Understanding the advantages of each option can help you select the best treatment for your situation.
Full Coverage Crowns
A crown covers your entire tooth, up to the gumlines. They’re used to protect compromised teeth that would otherwise break apart during regular use. You may need a crown if your tooth:
- Was recently treated with a root canal
- Has a large fracture or cavity
- Experiences chronic sensitivity
- Suffers from severe wear or erosion
- Is being replaced with an implant
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Crown treatment involves a two-step process. At your first appointment, we will numb the tooth, remove the damaged portions and then prep it for a full-coverage restoration to slip over the top of it. Next, we’ll take an impression and send it off to our lab, where your permanent crown is designed.
You’ll wear a temporary crown for about two weeks. When your final restoration is ready for delivery, we’ll remove the temporary crown and permanently bond the custom one into place.
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are lab-made fillings that can restore up to 2/3-3/4 of a tooth. They’re used as a minimally invasive alternative when there is enough health enamel that a full coverage crown isn’t necessary.
However, the treatment process is quite similar to having a crown made in that two appointments are required and the restoration is made at an off-site lab.
Dental Bridges
If you need to replace missing teeth, dental bridges are a great treatment to consider. Bridges look like 3-4 crowns adjoined side by side, with each end setting on top of a healthy adjacent tooth. They can also be anchored on top of dental implants in situations involving multiple missing teeth (instead of wearing a partial denture).
The treatment experience for having a bridge made is much like what you would expect if you’re getting a dental crown.
Combining the Two
Since the health and structure of individual teeth vary from one to the next, a number of our cosmetic patients do best by combining crowns and bridges in the same treatment.
For teeth that have large existing fillings or cavities, we can restore the structure with a crown. But teeth that are missing can be replaced with a bridge, while the crown on each end of it protects the tooth serving as a support. From one side of your smile to the other, the consistent design of our crowns and bridges make them appear seamless as they enhance the function and appearance of your bite.
WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Contact us to schedule a consultation at our family practice. Find out which type of custom cosmetic restoration is ideal for your smile!
* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.