Transforming Dental Health: The Importance of Crowns and Bridges for Happy Smiles
Crowns are among the most versatile treatments dentists like Dr. Brandon Schmidt at Parkview Dental have to rebuild the appearance, function, and health of damaged teeth. You can’t have a dental bridge without a dental crown, so they are even used to replace missing teeth! Our team is happy to answer your questions about crowns and bridges available at our Queen Creek area office in Gilbert, Arizona.
What is a dental crown?
The natural crown is the white part of the teeth, visible when you smile. While the teeth are stronger than skeletal bone, they are not impervious to damage. This is where a custom-made dental crown, created and placed by our professionals, helps restore the natural tooth structure. Think of it as a “cap” of protection that fits over the damaged tooth like a helmet. It provides coverage to both the top and the sides of the damaged tooth. A crown plays a crucial role in holding a broken tooth together. Strengthening the weakened tooth or its protective outer layer helps prevent further damage and preserves a tooth that is decayed or has suffered trauma.
Why would I need a dental crown?
In addition to repairing more extensive forms of decay and fractures/breakage, a crown may be applied to:
- Treat a big cavity (when dental fillings are inadequate to strengthen or restore the tooth)
- Replace a large or worn filling that requires more protection or coverage
- Cover up a very poorly shaped tooth or other significant cosmetic imperfections
- Preserve and strengthen a severely damaged tooth following root canal therapy
- Replace an entire tooth as part of a traditional bridge or implant
What can I expect if you recommend a crown?
We take a unique approach to crowns that yields exceptional results. First, any decayed or damaged tissues are removed from the tooth. The procedure occurs only after the tooth is completely numb, ensuring it is not painful. The tooth is also expertly reshaped to your ideal specifications. Then, impressions or models of the teeth are sent to our talented lab technicians. Our modern impression-making techniques are a welcome alternative to the traditional messy and uncomfortable process of making these models. We isolate a minimal area of your tooth versus filling your mouth with a tray full of unpleasant goo. Once our skilled lab techs have made your crown from a high-performance ceramic or zirconia, it will be secured to your tooth during a follow-up visit. This can be done in just 15 minutes, and due to our special techniques, additional anesthesia is unnecessary!
And how are crowns used with bridges?
If we can’t preserve your badly damaged tooth, you may be a good candidate for a dental bridge. To replace a single tooth, a dental bridge is composed of one artificial tooth, known as a pontic, along with two crowns that serve as anchors, called abutments. The pontic and abutments are secured to the neighboring teeth. So, these crowned abutment teeth function as anchors to hold up the dental bridge. Crowns can even be used to restore a dental implant. After the implant is secure in the jawbone, a crown is attached to it. So, the implant functions as a tooth root to support the replacement tooth/crown in the jaw.
If you are worried about a tooth or are simply due for your checkup, schedule an appointment at ParkView Dental’s Queen Creek area office today. To speak with a team member in Gilbert, AZ, call (480) 818-9016.
