Dental Crowns & Bridges
While tooth decay can be repaired with a filling, in some cases the damage is too extensive to support this kind of restoration. In this case, the tooth can be protected and restored with a dental crown or cap that fits over it, protecting all surfaces from damage and restoring form and function with new structure.
There are several types of materials that crowns can be made from. One of the most popular is full porcelain crown, resembling the color and translucency of natural teeth. Which makes full porcelain crown the best choice for the front teeth and will give you the best cosmetic result. Other crown material such as gold, porcelain fused to metal, or zirconium are several alternative materials available. Each one has advantages, and your dentist can help you understand them and choose the right one for your situation.
If you are missing a tooth, crowns can be used to secure an appliance that replaces the missing tooth, called a bridge. These prosthetics are designed to be cosmetically appealing while restoring your bite. Like a crown, they can be made of several different materials. Bridges are permanent like a crown; they both are bonded to your natural teeth and can only be removed by your dentist.
Both crowns and bridges are custom designed to match your natural teeth as closely as possible, mimicking the color, height, texture, and overall appearance of your teeth whenever possible. With proper care, crowns and bridges last for a lifetime, and will only need to be replaced if they fall out or become loose. Caring for them is easy, and requires only that you practice good oral hygiene.
If you are in or near Flower Mound, TX, and are interested in learning more about crowns and bridges and whether they are right for you, call Dazzle Dental Care today to make an appointment.