Crowns And Bridges Specialist

When would I need a dental crown?

Dental crowns restore a weak or damaged tooth by covering it with a durable cap that looks like the original tooth. You might need a dental crown to:

• Repair a severely decayed tooth
• Strengthen and preserve cracked or broken teeth
• Protect a tooth after a root canal
• Restore a tooth’s natural shape

The Willow Glen Dental Center team can also replace a missing tooth with a dental crown that’s anchored to a dental implant.

When would I need a bridge?

A bridge is made up of one or more artificial teeth that replace a section of missing teeth. Bridges are made up of one or more false teeth with a crown on both sides. Your Willow Glen Dental Center provider cements the crowns over healthy teeth to hold the bridge in place. You can also use dental implants to secure the bridge.

What are crowns and bridges made of?

While crowns and bridges can be produced from several materials, the dental team recommends porcelain because it’s durable, resists staining, and looks much like your natural teeth.

A crown consists of solid porcelain, while a bridge usually includes a mix of porcelain and gold alloy or other metals. Porcelain is used on the outside of the bridge to match your teeth. A metal base, only visible from the inside of your teeth, adds strength.

What is the process of getting a crown or bridge?

To get a crown or bridge, you’ll need to make two visits to the office. At the first visit, your Willow Glen Dental Center provider will examine your mouth and prepare them for their crown by removing a small amount of the enamel and reshaping the tooth.

After taking an impression, your provider sends it to a dental lab that makes the crown or bridge. You return in a few weeks to have your new teeth cemented into your mouth.

What are CEREC® crowns?

CEREC crowns are a product of Dentsply Sirona, a German firm with its U.S. headquarters in Long Island City, New York. They’re made in the dentist’s office, allowing you to get your new dental work in one visit. After preparing your tooth, the Willow Glen Dental Center team creates a digital image of your mouth.

Computer software uses the image to design the crown, then sends the information to the on-site fabrication machine. The machine produces your crown from a piece of solid ceramic and the dental team cements it in your mouth.

If you need a crown or bridge, call Willow Glen Dental Center or book an appointment online today.