Dental crowns are protective caps that are designed to fit over a natural tooth. Dr. Gabriel may recommend a crown for a particularly vulnerable tooth, such as one that’s been injured or had a large dental treatment done on it.
Crowns are custom-created to feel comfortable and they can look completely natural, so you may even forget you have a crown at all.
Dental crowns are usually placed in two appointments: one to prepare your tooth and the other to place the crown.
At your first dental crown appointment with Dr. Gabriel, he’ll prepare your tooth. The preparation consists of reshaping the tooth so the crown can fit over it. This won’t hurt your natural tooth, but it will change it. Once Dr. Gabriel has reshaped your tooth, he’ll take an impression of it to send to the laboratory, where your permanent crown will be made.
Creating the dental crown can take some time, so Dr. Gabriel will place a temporary crown over your tooth in the meantime. The temporary crown will protect your tooth until your permanent crown is ready.
Once your permanent crown is ready, you’ll come back to our office for your second visit. Dr. Gabriel will remove the temporary crown and clean your tooth. Then, he’ll securely place the permanent dental crown to complete the process.
He’ll go over care instructions and answer any questions you have about your dental crown.
There are many reasons why Dr. Gabriel may recommend a dental crown, including:
A dental bridge is a popular solution for people who have more than one adjacent missing tooth. For example, if you’ve lost two teeth next to each other, a dental bridge can complete the gap and restore your smile.
Bridges are made by attaching the replacement teeth to dental crowns. The crowns are placed over the two teeth on both sides of the gap left by missing teeth for support. These teeth, called the abutment teeth, anchor your bridge so it’ll stay in place.
Dental bridges are a great tooth replacement option, but they can be made even better with dental implants. Implant-supported bridges use a dental implant as a stabilizer rather than putting crowns over your natural teeth.
That means we don’t have to touch your natural teeth and can give you the benefits of a dental implant, such as improved jawbone strength. Dental implants can greatly improve dental bridges and can be a more permanent option.
Similar to the dental crown process, dental bridges take two appointments to place. Because two dental crowns are used for bridges, the procedure will be very similar. At your first appointment, the abutment teeth will be prepared for crowns and an impression will be taken.
Between your two appointments, a temporary bridge will protect your teeth and complete your smile. Once your permanent bridge is ready, Dr. Gabriel can securely place it and give you the beautiful smile you deserve.
If your dental bridge has broken, call our office at (724) 935-2100 so we can help you. We recommend against trying to repair your bridge on your own because at-home repairs can result in additional harm to your bridge or injury to you.
Dental bridges last for a long time, but yours will eventually need to be replaced. That’s because dental crowns last for up to 15 years, then they need a refresh. Dr. Gabriel can take care of your bridge and let you know if you need a replacement.
Dental crowns can last for up to 15 years. While they last for a long time, they’ll eventually have to be replaced — it’s just a matter of how soon. Taking care of your oral hygiene helps your dental crown to last longer and keeps your natural teeth in good shape.
All you have to do to take care of your crown is brush and floss your teeth daily, as well as visit Dr. Gabriel for regular dental cleanings and checkups. At your appointment, we’ll make sure your crown is in good condition and clean it thoroughly.
No, dental crown placement isn’t painful. Dr. Gabriel can use a local anesthetic to numb the area and sedation if you would like. Sedation isn’t necessary, but it can help you feel more comfortable during the procedure.
After your crown is placed, you may feel some discomfort. This is normal and goes away quickly as you adjust to having the crown in your mouth. Eventually, crowns are hardly noticeable and many people forget they even have one.
The best option for you depends on your unique situation. For some people, a bridge is a better option than an implant. While dental implants are popular for their amazing benefits, there are some times that they’re not suitable.
Bridges can be a better option if you don’t want to undergo surgery and if you may need extensive supplemental treatments to prepare for implants. Implants also involve a much longer process and your implant-supported bridge won’t be finished for several months.
No, dental bridges aren’t permanent. They do last for up to 15 years, but your bridge will eventually have to be replaced. While dental bridges are very stable, they do wear out with everyday use, just like any tooth replacement solution.
You won’t have to worry about replacement for a long time if you care for your oral hygiene regularly. Daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental visits, help keep your dental bridge in good condition.