Are Crowns and Bridges Right for Me?

Are Crowns and Bridges Right for Me?

Find out what dental issues crowns and bridges can effectively fix.

Are you dealing with tooth loss? Are you suffering from a severely damaged tooth? If so, then your Chehalis, WA dentist is probably recommending that you either consider getting a dental crown or a bridge. However, if you’ve never had dental work before than Dental Crownsperhaps you’ve heard about crowns and bridges but you’re not quite sure what it entails. Let us talk you through the process so we can help improve your smile!

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are tooth-like caps that cover an entire tooth to protect it from further damage and to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. While dental crowns can be made from certain metals like gold, they are typically made from porcelain, as they are more appealing and look more like real teeth.

What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is an oral appliance that contains dental crowns on both sides and an artificial tooth in the middle that replaces the missing tooth. The dental crowns are placed over the two neighboring teeth next to the missing tooth to hold the dental bridge in place.

Correcting dental problems with crowns and bridges

If you are dealing with any of these dental issues then you will want to consider getting a dental crown in Chehalis, WA:

  • A severely stained tooth
  • A fractured tooth
  • A severely decayed tooth
  • A tooth weakened by direct injury or infection

If you are dealing with a missing tooth but the rest of your natural smile is healthy then you should consider getting a dental bridge to replace your missing tooth; however, if you are considering getting a dental implant to replace more than one tooth, the easiest way to replace multiple teeth is with a dental implant-supported dental bridge, which uses implants instead of natural teeth to hold the appliance firmly in place.

How are dental crowns and bridges put on?

If you are just opting to strengthen a damaged tooth with a dental crown then the first step is to completely treat the decay or infection, after which we will take impressions of the tooth and have a lab create a dental crown that fits your smile. In the meantime a temporary crown will be placed over your tooth until the permanent one comes in.

A dental bridge is also handled similarly. We will remove some enamel from the neighboring teeth and then cement the dental crowns onto them to hold the bridge in place. Dental bridges also need to be created specifically for your smile, so while the bridge is being fabricated, you can also expect to wear a temporary replacement.

Whether you are dealing with a damaged tooth or are missing a permanent tooth, you can benefit from dental crowns and bridges. To see if this is the right treatment option for you, schedule a consultation with your Chehalis, WA dentist, Dr. Michael White, DDS.

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