Missing or damaged teeth don’t just affect how your smile looks – they can also affect your oral health and quality of life. Ignoring missing or damaged teeth can only lead to more serious problems like tooth decay, infections, bone loss and even gum disease.
That’s why it’s important to replace missing teeth sooner than later. Two of the most common yet best solutions are dental crowns and bridges.
Bonded to existing teeth or placed on dental implants, our dental crowns and bridges at Ashgrove Dental are custom-made. So, they don’t just replace missing or damaged teeth but do it in a way that looks and feels natural. What this means is that they restore both the function and aesthetic appeal of your smile while strengthening your tooth/teeth.
If you’ve got cracked, chipped or missing teeth, our custom-made crowns and bridges could be exactly what you need.
What are Dental Crowns?
Also known as a dental cap, a dental crown is a dental restoration solution where a tooth-shaped protective cap is placed over an existing tooth.
These dental crowns serve multiple purposes. For instance, they do a superb job of protecting your teeth from further damage or decay. Beyond protecting your teeth, dental crowns are also used in cosmetic procedures to restore the appearance of your smile. Moreover, they are also used as part of other dental procedures like restoring a tooth after a root canal or covering a dental implant.
At Ashgrove Dental, our crowns are crafted using durable materials to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. And the best part? The process typically takes about two visits to our clinic.
When Do I Need a Dental Crown?
A dental crown may be the right solution for you if you need to:
- Rebuild chipped or worn teeth
- Protect a cracked or weakened tooth
- Change the size, shape or appearance of a tooth
- Restore a tooth after a dental procedure
- Replace a filling when there’s not enough tooth structure remaining
- Anchor a dental bridge on either side
- Cover a dental implant
What are Dental Bridges?
Missing a single tooth can be disheartening enough. Imagine missing more than one tooth.
Whether you are missing one or multiple teeth, dental bridges are a solution designed to bridge the gap created by missing teeth (literally). It consists of two or more crowns used as anchors and a natural or cosmetic tooth placed between them to fill the gap. The replacement teeth are called pontics and are mostly crafted from porcelain to give a natural look.
At Ashgrove Dental, we have years of experience with dental bridge procedures, helping restore the appearance of your smile and functionality of your teeth. Like dental crowns, dental bridges also require just two visits to complete.
When Do I Need a Dental Bridge?
If you are missing one tooth, you could be a candidate for dental bridges. However, it differs from patient to patient. Dental bridges may be a good fit for you if you:
- Are missing one or more consecutive teeth
- Have good oral health with no dental work
- Don’t have gum disease
- Have healthy teeth on either side of the gap to support the dental bridge
When you visit our clinic for a consultation, we will assess your situation and recommend the best solution for restoring your smile – whether it’s a dental bridge or a crown.
What are the Benefits of Dental Crowns and Bridges?
- Restores the Appearance of your Smile: Dental crowns and bridges bring back your smile and improve life by replacing missing or damaged teeth and boosting self-confidence.
- Improves Functionality: Challenges in chewing and speaking stemming from missing or damaged teeth will be a thing of the past with dental crowns and bridges.
- Improves Oral Health: These dental restorations prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting into the gaps created by missing teeth to maintain the alignment of teeth and good oral health.
- Natural Look: Designed to match the size, shape and colour of your natural teeth, our dental crowns and bridges blend in seamlessly with your smile.
- Long-Lasting & Easy to Maintain: With proper care and maintenance your dental crowns and bridges can last up to a decade or more. But don’t worry – taking care of your crowns and bridges is easy and includes good oral hygiene practices such as brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups
What Does Placing a Crown or Bridge Involve?
One of the best things about dental crowns and bridges is that they only require two visits to complete. The process is also pretty straightforward and includes:
- Preparation: After your initial consultation and understanding your needs, we will prepare your teeth for the restorations during the first visit. Our dentist will then take impressions of your teeth to craft your restorations and ensure a perfect fit. We will also do a shade selection to ensure your crown or bridge blends in seamlessly.
- Creating Your Custom-Made Restorations: The impressions will be sent to the dental lab, where your restorations will be crafted. Until your dental restoration is completed, we will place a temporary crown or bridge to protect your damaged or missing teeth.
- Restoration Placement: Once your new restoration is ready, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment. During this visit, our dentist will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments before fixing your restoration.
Before you leave, we will provide aftercare instructions for your dental crown or bridge. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, your new dental restoration will last for many years!
How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?
It depends on several factors like the materials used and the care you give your restorations. With proper care, your dental crowns and bridges can last up to a decade or longer without needing replacement.
If you believe you need a dental crown or bridge, our team is here to help. With years of experience providing a range of restorative dentistry solutions, we will recommend the best solution to restore your smile and life.
