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Crown And Bridges
Same Day Crowns
CEREC is an acronym for CEramic REConstruction, using CAD/CAM technology. Fancy words for one-visit, all-porcelain crowns, veneers, inlays, and onlays used to rebuild teeth beautifully.
After shaping the tooth for a crown, we use a camera to image the tooth and those teeth above or below the tooth. Using powerful 3D software, a restoration is designed and then milled from a block of porcelain in six to fifteen minutes. Next, 14 to 17 minutes in an oven at 2000 to 2870 degrees matures and strengthens the porcelain. After polishing, the porcelain is bonded to the tooth using a composite resin material. The result is a beautiful restoration with strength like a normal tooth.
- Crowns may be used to replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore most fractured teeth
- Support each end of a bridge with the missing tooth called a pontic in between
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discolored or poorly-shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment for strength
Bridges
A bridge is an ideal method to fill the space created by missing teeth. A bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented into place using the teeth on either side for support, hence the name. This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridgework is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials most often used now are all Esthetic Zirconia, porcelain over a zirconia base, porcelain fused to metal, or, infrequently, gold. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.
It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift forward and sometimes inward. Since teeth use their neighbors for support, if one is missing, they begin to erupt and shift into the open spaces. This may worsen the bite due to changes in pressure and can eventually result in problems with the jaw, such as joint disease.
To make a bridge or crown, we first shape the teeth that will support the bridge. Images are sent to a dental lab where your crown or bridge will be custom-made to fit your mouth and match your natural tooth color. Some bridges for mainly back chewing teeth can be made in one visit by our CEREC system. A temporary crown or bridge will be placed into your mouth until your permanent crown or bridge is made. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, it will be cemented into place.
Bridges and crowns are very durable and can last a lifetime with extra care and by practicing good oral hygiene. An alternative to a bridge is: 1) an implant supported crown or 2) sometimes a partial denture.
