Crowns and Bridges

What is a crown?

A crown is an artificial tooth cap that your dentist bonds permanently affixes to your smile. It goes over an existing root structure, like a natural tooth root or dental implant, and covers up the entirety of your tooth above the gumline.

Why do I need a crown?

Your dentist at Genesis Dental might suggest a crown for a number of reasons, like:

• Improving a tooth’s shape
• Replacing a tooth that’s cosmetically unappealing
• Making it easier for you to speak and chew
• Restoring a damaged or decayed tooth

A crown can also be used in combination with a dental implant to fully replace a tooth that’s missing from your smile.

What is a bridge?

A bridge is a permanent prosthetic appliance that replaces a tooth that’s entirely missing from your smiling. It’s made up of an artificial tooth, called a pontic, that’s held in place on either side by crowns.

If your adjacent teeth can’t support crowns, your dentist might suggest an alternative bridge, like a cantilever bridge or a Maryland bonded bridge.

How does a bridge benefit my oral health?

When you’re missing a tooth in your smile, it disrupts the proper functioning of the rest of your smile. By filling in your missing tooth, a bridge can:

• Make your biting force more even
• Prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of place
• Keep your facial muscles from atrophying
• Improve your ability to eat and speak.

Bridges also serve a cosmetic function by filling in the holes in your smile and improving your appearance.

What happens when I get a crown or bridge?

The first step in fitting you with a crown or bridge is to prepare your teeth. Your dentist numbs your tooth with a local anesthetic, then removes some enamel from your teeth. When you get a crown, your dentist prepares the tooth that’s going to receive the crown. When you get a bridge, your dentist prepares the teeth adjacent to your missing tooth.

Once your teeth are prepared, your dentist takes an impression of your mouth. They send that impression to a lab that designs your permanent restoration while you wear a temporary crown or bridge. The lab can typically fabricate your crown in a week or so.

You come back to Genesis Dental when the lab has finished making your permanent restoration. Your dentist bonds it to your smile with dental cement, and you leave the Genesis Dental offices with a gorgeous new smile.

Schedule your crown or bridge consultation with Genesis Dental today by calling the office.

Come visit Genesis Dental located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Today.

Come see Dr. Lazar and Dr. Galdieri at Genesis Dental, located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. Call us to book your appointment today.