Crowns & Bridges

A crown is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using dental cement.

When we have decided to go ahead with a full crown restoration, we will set aside 2-3 appointments for the entire process. Although the majority of crowns are completed in two visits, there is sometimes a need for a third visit to ensure a proper fit.

The procedure begins with the removal of all decay in the tooth. Once we have removed the decay, we will take an impression of the tooth. This impression will be sent to our lab where your new restoration will be crafted. While this new tooth is created, we will provide you with a temporary restoration. Our temporary restorations will resemble your natural teeth so that you can continue with your daily life without worrying about a missing or incompatible tooth.

During your second visit to the office, we will proceed with the placement of your final restoration. This crown will be fitted comfortably into the mouth. We will make every effort to ensure that the new tooth feels as natural as possible. The final step in the process is to cement the crown into your mouth, leaving you with a beautifully restored smile.

An all-ceramic crown (or porcelain with ceramic substrate) is the most esthetic of all crowns, since there is no dark metal substructure. Nowadays, we have ultra-strong ceramic crowns, which can offer durability characteristics similar to metal crowns and porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crown and better aesthetics.

We will select the best materials (a combination of beauty, biocompatibility, and strength) to restore your smile.

A bridge (also known as a fixed partial denture) is one way to replace a missing tooth by connecting the replacement tooth to the adjacent teeth.

We will set aside 2-3 appointments for the entire process.

The first step in making a bridge is to prepare the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth (essentially each adjacent tooth is prepared for a crown). This involves removing some tooth structure all around the tooth and over the top to make room for the bridge. A mold of the prepared teeth is taken and sent to the lab where the bridge will be made.

On the same day the teeth are prepared, a temporary bridge is made and placed. This allows temporarily restoring functionality and aesthetics until the final bridge is ready. Once the bridge returns from the lab we remove the temporary bridge and cement the final bridge in place.

An all-ceramic bridge (or porcelain with ceramic substrate) is the most beautiful of all bridges. There is no metal, so translucency and general appearance are much closer to natural teeth. Modern ultra-strong ceramics bridges offer durability characteristics similar to old porcelain fused to metal (PFM) bridges, and better aesthetics. There are options of ceramic bridges optimized for strength and others optimized for aesthetics; the later usually indicated on front teeth or teeth that are highly visible.

We will choose the best materials (a combination of beauty, biocompatibility, and strength) for your all-ceramic bridge.