Restoration through fixed crowns and bridges.
Missing or broken teeth can be restored with porcelain bridges or single crowns. A crown looks like a tooth and is hollow inside, like a thimble. The crown is usually made of porcelain that is fused to an inner metal core. Crowns are used to strengthen weak teeth and to improve the aesthetic look. They are often used for teeth that have large fillings, broken teeth, and teeth treated with a root canal therapy that become quite brittle.

The tooth is prepared by reducing its size, so that the crown can be cemented over it. The crown is constructed in the laboratory from an impression of the prepared tooth according to our exact specifications.

The treatment process for someone receiving a crown is... • Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it. • Re-sculpting the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown. • Making an impression of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown. This process usually takes one to two weeks. • Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the permanent custom-made crown is being created. • Applying the permanent crown (when received from the lab) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the permanent one onto the tooth. • After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, the dentist cements it into place. This process generally consists of a minimum of 2-3 visits over a three to four week period.

While wearing the temporary crown, avoid chewing in that area. Since most people tend to forget this, the next best thing to do is to watch what you eat. Don't eat anything sticky that can pull your temporary crown off.

The use of temporary cement on your temporary crown is for easy removal on your next appointment. If your temporary crown comes off between appointments, slip it back on and call the office immediately. You may want to put a very small amount of vaseline around the edges of the temporary crown prior to reseating it. It is extremely important that you have the temporary crown on at all times. Being without your temporary crown may allow the tooth to shift and prevent the permanent crown from fitting properly.

Many crowns fit between the gum line. Therefore, you may experience some discomfort for a few days due to the irritation of that area. Sensitivity to cold and pressure are also possible. After the final cementation of your fixed restoration, it may take a few days to get used to your new crown or bridge. If you feel your bite is not correctly balanced, be sure to call for an appointment for a simple adjustment. Proper brushing and flossing is recommended to help you retain your final restoration.

Fixed Bridgework
Teeth were designed to compliment each other. When a tooth is lost, the nearby teeth may shift toward the empty space, or the teeth in the opposite jaw may move up or down toward the space. This places unusual stress on both the teeth and tissue in your mouth, which results in fractured teeth, periodontal disease, and joint problems.

A bridge is used to replace one or more teeth and is permanently cemented in the mouth. The teeth adjacent to the missing teeth are prepared or reduced in size and serve as anchors for the fixed bridge. The patient wears a temporary acrylic bridge for a short period of time so that a permanent bridge can be fabricated in the laboratory. The bridge is ultimately cemented to the prepared teeth with a dental cement.

A bridge offers a very aesthetic and quick replacement for missing teeth. It improves appearance, self-confidence and helps eliminate future dental problems. It also provides a more stable bite with excellent function, comfort, and esthetics. However, in each case it should be determined whether or not an implant would be a better solution.

Some patients dislike the idea of reducing their natural teeth to receive a fixed bridge. Because if this, they often like to explore the option on dental implants.