Dental Crowns

Our goal at the Dental Implant Aesthetic Center is to provide crowns and fillings that look and feel like your natural teeth. We work closely with our lab, CadTech, to assure the best quality, fit and color.

When damage to a person's teeth is extreme and may be beyond repair, we can use porcelain crowns to make the smile appear like new. This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe dental problems. Dental crowns are used to permanently replace missing teeth to offer a complete smile and a functional bite. We are renowned for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A DENTAL CROWN?

Preparing for a crown requires at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown. This office visit normally takes an hour to two hours. 

On the next visit, we will remove the temporary crown and fit and adjust the final crown. Once the crown is properly adjusted we will cement the crown into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth. 

WHAT ARE THE CAPABILITIES OF CROWNS?

Crown and bridgework are very reliable solutions for major dental problems caused by accidents, diseases, or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious dental problems. In instances where damage has occurred resulting in the loss of teeth, where teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or tooth damage caused by old fillings breaking down, crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.

Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth that are usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause appearance problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns can prevent breakage.

We would love to schedule an appointment for you. Contact our office for our next crown appointment. 

DENTAL BRIDGES

All of our teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. There are many reasons for tooth loss, but if you do lose teeth, they should be replaced in order to maintain proper chewing function of your teeth.

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it is difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

DENTAL BRIDGE OPTIONS

A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges) or they can be removable (removable bridge).

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it is difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A BRIDGE OR FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE?

A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device that fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

WHY DO I NEED A BRIDGE?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older. 

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.

Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a bridge.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders because they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

HOW IS A BRIDGE ATTACHED?

The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment, Dr. Schulter will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.

Fixed Bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED?

Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either a precious or non-precious metal.

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY BRIDGE?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.