What are crowns and bridges?
A crown is a partial replacement for a tooth that has been damaged or is suffering from decay. Crowns are affixed to the existing root structure of your affected tooth and are designed to look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.
A bridge is a full tooth replacement and is used when you have one or more teeth missing between teeth. Bridges are composed of an artificial tooth attached to crowns on either side, effectively “bridging” the gap between teeth.
Why should I get a crown or bridge?
There are many advantages to replacing missing teeth with a crown or a bridge. Crowns and bridges can:
- Protect a worn, weak, or damaged tooth
- Prevent your teeth from shifting to fill in the gap left by a missing tooth
- Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your cheeks, jawline, and face
Missing teeth can also hurt your confidence and hold you back from smiling. By filling in the missing pieces, crowns and bridges can make you feel good about your smile again!
What’s the process for getting a crown or bridge?
Crowns and bridges usually require a couple visits to the team at Illinois Dental Center of Belmont. During your first appointment, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic and prepare your teeth. For crowns, this means shaving the enamel on the tooth that will receive the crown. For bridges, this means shaving the enamel on the anchor teeth next to the missing tooth.
Next, your dentist takes an impression of your mouth, which is sent to a lab that designs and creates the crown or bridge. It can take a few weeks for the crown or bridge to be ready, so you’ll be sent home with a temporary crown or bridge, usually made of stainless steel, that will allow you to chew and speak properly while you wait.
Once your crown or bridge is ready, you’ll come back for a second appointment. Your dentist removes the temporary crown or bridge and replaces it with the permanent one. After checking to make sure that the bite and fit are correct, they seal it with a permanent bonding solution, then send you on your way!
If you want to learn more about how crowns and bridges can give you the full, bright smile that you’ve always wanted, book an appointment today by calling the office or using the online scheduling tool.
