Crowns
Crowns or “caps” are an excellent way of strengthening teeth that have fractured due to cavities, previous fillings that have failed or teeth that have had root canals performed on them. The tooth is reduced about 2 millimeters from biting surface and about 1.5 millimeters circumferentially around the tooth. The tooth is now either scanned or an mold or impression is made. Crowns can be made from a variety of materials including gold, porcelain or a combination of both. One of the most exciting developments in dentistry today is CAD-CAM (computer aided design and milled) technology to fabricate crowns, fillings or onlays. There are several advantages to this. In some cases, entire procedure can be accomplished in one visit. Gone are the days of multiple appointments and wearing an ill-fitting temporary for several weeks while waiting for the crown to come back from a lab. Plus, when fabricated properly, they fit better and look more aesthetic than gold or porcelain-fused-to-gold with the same projected longevity. We are one of the few dental offices in the area to offer this technology.
Bridges
Bridges are a way to replace a missing tooth. The teeth on either side of a missing tooth is prepared for a crown. An impression or mold is taken, and a series of crowns are made that “tie” the teeth together and thus replace the missing tooth. One alternative treatment to replace missing teeth is implant dentistry.
