Missing a few teeth in a row? We've got you! Since crowns are affixed to your smile, they won’t move or shift so you can get back to smiling again.
Dental crowns and bridges allow dentists to protect and restore damaged teeth. Typically, when tooth decay is severe enough that it can’t be treated with a filling, a dental crown will be used to cover, or cap, the tooth. Crowns are also commonly used to seal teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy. And occasionally, dental crowns are used for cosmetic purposes or in smile makeovers.
A dental bridge is a type of dental work that replaces a tooth or a few consecutive missing teeth. Two dental crowns are placed on the healthy teeth living on either side of the gap left by your lost tooth. A false tooth, or pontic, is attached to the crowns and literally bridges the gap, replacing your missing tooth.
Dental crowns are also referred to as “caps” because they cap the existing tooth structure in order to restore it.
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Your dentist will clean and numb your mouth, and then begin to trim away a thin layer of enamel from the two teeth next to your missing tooth. These are known as “abutment teeth” and they will hold your crowns. Your bridge will permanently attach to these crowns.
Once your abutment teeth have been prepared, your dentist will take impressions or models of your teeth. These impressions or digital models will be used to build a custom-fit dental bridge.
Depending on your needs, your dentist will place a temporary resin bridge to protect your prepared abutment teeth, or two temporary dental crowns. Either way, your prepared teeth will be covered and protected until your permanent bridge can be placed.
Once your permanent bridge is ready, usually within a few weeks, you’ll come into the office to have the bridge checked for proper fit. Minor adjustments may be made by your dentist, if necessary, to ensure that your bridge looks and feels natural. If the bridge requires larger adjustments, it will be sent back to the lab for further refinement.
Once you and your dentist have determined that the fit of your bridge feels right, they will use powerful dental cement to attach it permanently to your abutment teeth, restoring your smile and your bite.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, strength and appearance. You may need one after a large cavity, a cracked or weak tooth, a root canal, or to cover a dental implant. Crowns can also improve the look of a discolored or misshapen tooth.
Traditionally a crown takes two visits about two weeks apart: one to prepare the tooth and take impressions, and one to place the final crown. A temporary crown protects your tooth in between. Depending on the technology available and your case, some crowns can be completed in a single visit.
Crowns are commonly made from porcelain, zirconia, ceramic, metal alloys or porcelain fused to metal. Zirconia and all-ceramic crowns are popular because they are strong and blend with natural teeth. Metal crowns are very durable and can be a good choice for back teeth. We recommend a material based on the tooth's location, your bite and your budget.
The tooth is numbed with local anesthetic, so the procedure should be comfortable. It is normal to have mild sensitivity to hot, cold or biting pressure for a few days after treatment. If pain lingers or your bite feels uneven, call us so we can adjust the crown.
Crown cost depends on the material and the condition of the tooth, and nationally often ranges from roughly $1,000 to $2,500 per tooth. Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost when a crown is medically necessary. Our Middletown, DE team will check your benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment starts.
With good care, crowns typically last 10 to 15 years and often longer. How long yours lasts depends on the material, your oral hygiene and habits such as grinding or chewing ice. Regular checkups help us catch problems early.
Brush twice daily, floss daily and keep up with your cleanings. The tooth underneath can still develop decay at the edge of the crown, so good cleaning around the gumline is important. Avoid biting hard objects like ice or pens, and tell us if you grind your teeth, as a nightguard can protect your crown.
Call us as soon as possible and keep the crown. Do not use super glue. You can temporarily use dental cement from a pharmacy to hold it in place, and avoid chewing on that side. Often the crown can be re-cemented, but the tooth needs to be checked for decay or damage first.
A filling is usually best for small to moderate cavities, while a crown is recommended when a tooth is heavily damaged or cracked and needs full coverage for protection. A veneer covers only the front of a tooth and is used mainly for cosmetic changes. We examine your tooth and recommend the least invasive option that will last.
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