Repair Damaged Teeth with Dental Crowns and Bridges in Centerville
If you've lost teeth due to accident, injury, or gum disease, we can create a permanent bridge to restore your solid smile. A bridge not only fills the gap, but it also prevents repositioning of remaining teeth. It can also correct a misaligned bite, improve chewing function and speech articulation, and provide internal structure for the face to give you a more youthful appearance.
What Is the Difference Between a Crown and a Bridge?
Crowns and bridges are similar in that they both help to restore your smile, and in many cases, they can be made of the same materials. However, there is a significant difference between these two types of restorations:
- A crown is placed over a natural tooth (in some cases, it goes on top of a dental implant). It is hollow inside and custom made to protect a damaged tooth and restore its form and function.
- A fixed bridge is used to replace a missing tooth (or teeth). Crowns are part of a bridge; they go over the teeth that are adjacent to the gap in your smile. Between them is suspended a pontic, or artificial tooth.
How Do I Know if I Need a Crown or a Bridge?
The best way to find out if you need a bridge or dental crown in Centerville is to visit your dentist. Dr. Passidomo will examine your mouth and recommend a treatment plan to get your smile back on track. Here are some indicators that it’s time for you to schedule an appointment to talk about receiving a restoration:
- You have an old crown or bridge that seems to be failing. Or, you have an old, metal restoration that you would like to replace with a natural-looking porcelain crown or bridge.
- One of your teeth is in severe pain (you may need root canal therapy followed by a bridge to relieve your pain and save the tooth).
- You dislike the way one of your teeth looks and would like to cover it with a crown.
- You have missing teeth and would like to once again have a complete smile.
How Can My Crown or Bridge Fit Better?
Traditional crowns and bridges are custom-made for your mouth, and they have the potential to last for many years. However, for a restoration that feels and looks as natural as possible, we often recommend dental implants.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that an oral surgeon places inside the jawbone; it serves to act as a replacement for the root of a lost tooth. If only one tooth is missing, Dr. Passidomo will place a single crown on top of the implant to restore your smile. However, implants can also be used to support a bridge, with one implant on each end of the gap, supporting crowns and a pontic between the crowns.
If you have questions about crown and bridgework or any other dental prosthetic, call our Centerville dental office. We will be happy to discuss the options and schedule your evaluation with our skilled restorative dentist.
