Restorative Dentistry
In dentistry, crown and bridge (restorative dentistry) refers to the restoration of natural teeth that have been damaged, decayed or lost. Once Dr. Goduco has examined your teeth and evaluated your dental and medical history, they will be ready to provide a diagnosis and treatment options. A crown may be constructed to restore an individual damaged tooth back to its original form and function, while a bridge may be utilized to replace one or more teeth. These restorations are cemented onto teeth and are referred to as prosthodontic dentistry as opposed to a restoration of missing teeth with a removable oral appliance or partial denture.
Crowns
Crowns are dental restorations otherwise known as "caps" which are coverings that fit over teeth. Crowns may be necessary because of broken down old fillings, fractured, chipped or sensitive teeth. Crowns are also used to improve the appearance of natural teeth that are malformed, malpositioned or discolored. Crowns are made of natural-looking porcelain and designed to improve your overall smile or to blend in with your own teeth.
Crowns are sometimes used when:
- - A previously filled tooth now contains more filling than tooth.
- - The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
- - Extensive damage has been done by decay.
- - Discoloration and compromised aesthetics exists.
- - Fractures occur.
- - A Root Canal has been performed. (After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and more apt to fracture.)
- - Bridges have been used. (When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.)
Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth. Crowns can be made from different materials, which include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain fused-to-metal crown and the all-metal crown. In our office, we use only the best materials to perfect your smile and often rework older, less modern dentistry to help you look and feel your best.
Fitting a crown requires at least two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression or mold is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted, adjusted and cemented into place.
