Dental Crowns and Bridges
Conyers Dental Crowns & Bridges
At the Conyers dentistry practice, we partner with patients to keep their smiles whole and healthy for life, but when we can’t prevent dental damage or decay, we’re happy to provide a wide array of restorative dentistry services. Two of the most commonly used restorative treatments are dental crowns and bridges. These restorations allow us to effectively rebuild lost tooth structure and replace missing teeth restoring your smile to the full form and function. If you’re in need of restorative dentistry services, please don’t hesitate to call our team for a dental restoration consultation. We’ll evaluate your smile and recommend treatment to meet your needs.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are advanced restorations used to repair teeth following severe tooth decay or damage. The dental crowns are crafted to fit over the top of your damaged tooth recreating lost structure and protecting the remaining healthy dental tissues from further damage or decay.
When are Dental Crowns Recommended?
Dental crowns may be used in a variety of situations, including:
- To repair severely decayed or damaged teeth
- To protect root canal treated teeth from further damage
- To replace damaged fillings
- Ceramic crowns may be used as part of a cosmetic dentistry plan to enhance the appearance of your smile
- To replace missing teeth as part of a fixed bridge restoration or when supported by replacement teeth
What are Fixed Bridges?
Fixed bridges are an effective tooth replacement solution for patients missing one or a few consecutive missing teeth. Fixed bridges attach a replacement tooth or teeth to dental crowns on each side. These dental crowns are affixed to surrounding healthy teeth for support, recreating the flawless function and appearance of your smile.
How are Crowns & Bridges Placed?
Dental crowns and bridges are placed over the course of two appointments. During the first visit, we prepare your teeth. Then, we capture impressions that will be used by the dental lab to craft your crown or bridge. Next, we place a temporary that will protect your smile between appointments. At your second visit, we simply exchange your temporary for the custom dental crown or fixed bridge.
Benefits of Crowns & Bridges
There are many benefits to dental crowns and bridges, including:
- Repair the smile to full function with a natural looking and feeling solution
- Replace lost tooth structure and avoid further tooth decay or damage
- Save teeth that may otherwise need to be extracted
- Replace missing teeth with a semi-permanent fixed tooth replacement prosthetic
Caring for Your Repaired Smile
Once your dental crown or fixed bridge is in place, you should carefully brush for at least two minutes at a time at least twice day. You should also floss at least once each day and visit our office for twice a year dental exams. Depending on the material used to craft your restoration, we may recommend switching to a softer bristled toothbrush or less abrasive toothpaste to avoid excessive wear. We may also encourage you to use a waxed floss to avoid pulling around the edges of your restoration. A specialized flossing tool may be needed to clean around a fixed bridge restoration to ensure there is not plaque buildup between your bridge and the gum line.
Dental Crown FAQs
Have you been told that you’re in need of a dental crown? This restoration is a great way to protect compromised teeth from further damage, but you may still have some unanswered questions. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about dental crowns in Conyers. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and we’d be happy to answer your questions and get you started with an initial consultation.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns aren’t technically permanent, but they are a long-term solution. On average, they can protect your tooth for anywhere between 5 and 15 years. When your dentist reshapes your tooth for a crown, that procedure is irreversible, as enamel does not grow back. Ultimately, a tooth replaced in this way will always need to be covered with a crown. That being said, crowns are able to protect the underlying tooth from additional damage, therefore helping it to survive for much longer than it would have otherwise.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
It is impossible for the crown itself to develop cavities, but the tooth underneath it still can. In fact, a crowned tooth has about the same risk of decay as an uncrowned tooth. Poor oral hygiene makes it possible for bacteria and plaque to form around the gumline where the tooth meets the crown. They can then travel underneath the crown and wreak havoc on the underlying tooth. You can prevent cavities in crowned teeth the same way you’d prevent cavities in any other tooth. Brush, floss, and see your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
Just like when you get a filling, your dentist will numb the tooth that they’ll be working on when you get a crown. After the preparation and placement of a dental crown, the tooth will likely feel sensitive for a few days. This is especially the case if you had a root canal as well. By taking recommended over-the-counter pain relievers as directed, discomfort should improve. Give your dentist a call if sensitivity worsens.
Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?
Dental crowns cannot be whitened like your natural teeth can. This is because tooth enamel has tiny pores through which bleaching gels can enter and break apart stains, but dental crowns do not. Your crown should always remain the same color. Metal-free crowns are designed to blend in with your surrounding teeth as closely as possible.
