Crowns and Bridges In Wesley Chapel
Missing a few teeth in a row? We've got you! Since crowns are affixed to your smile, they won’t move or shift so you can get back to smiling again.
What are dental crowns and bridges?
Dental crowns and bridges allow for the restoration of your damaged teeth. Typically, when tooth decay is severe enough that it can’t be treated with a filling, a dental crown will be used to cover, or cap, the tooth. Crowns are also commonly used to seal teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy. And occasionally, dental crowns are used for cosmetic purposes or in smile makeovers.
A dental bridge is a type of dental work that replaces a tooth or a few consecutive missing teeth. Two dental crowns are placed on the healthy teeth living on either side of the gap left by your lost tooth. A false tooth, or pontic, is attached to the crowns and literally bridges the gap, replacing your missing tooth.
Restore Your Arch
Missing more than just a couple of teeth? There’s no need to wait in pain and discomfort any longer. Implant-retained bridges can replace the entire arch of your grin for a sturdy, seamless smile.
Your Care, Your Terms
You deserve affordable, accessible care. That’s why we provide a variety of flexible financing options to meet your unique needs. Ready to work out a budgeting plan? Reach out to our team to get the conversation started.
Healthcare Lenders
Membership Plan
In-Network With Most PPOs
No Putty Necessary
Say goodbye to goopy impressions! Our 3D intraoral scanner allows us to capture images and create models of your tooth for a digital, mess-free procedure.
Types of dental crowns and bridges
Lab-Made Crowns
Lab-made crowns are manufactured by experienced technicians at dental labs that specialize in building dental prostheses. Your dentist will take impressions or models, scans, and photos of your teeth, which will be sent directly to the lab.
Using an advanced manufacturing process, your crowns will be built out of durable ceramic and metal materials, and sent back to your dentist for the final fitting and placement. Lab-made crowns look and feel very natural, and are usually the most long-lasting and durable type of crown.
Traditional Bridges
Traditional dental bridges are made out of two crowns, which are attached permanently to “abutment teeth.” These are the healthy teeth located next to one or more missing teeth within your mouth. Between these teeth, a metal framework is used to suspend one or more “pontics” (false teeth). These false teeth literally “bridge” the gap between your missing teeth, restoring your smile.
Implant Bridges
Unlike removable bridges, an implant bridge is attached to dental implants to restore multiple missing teeth. Implant bridges look, feel, and function just like healthy natural teeth, and you never have to worry about them becoming loose or falling out. Removable implant bridges require you to take them out for regular cleanings, while implant bridges can be brushed and flossed just like regular teeth. Plus, implant bridges are a treatment option that is often less expensive than replacing every missing tooth with an implant.
How dental crowns and bridges work together
Preparation of Abutment Teeth
First, your dentist will carefully reshape and contour the abutment teeth, which are the teeth on either side of the gap where the bridge will go. Don't worry – this is done with precision and your comfort in mind. The goal is to make sure the crowns fit snugly over the abutment teeth so they can securely support the bridge, which will fill the gap and restore your smile.
Impressions or Digital Models
Once your abutment teeth have been prepared, your dentist will take impressions or models of your teeth. These impressions or digital models will be used to build a custom-fit dental bridge.
Temporary Bridge
Depending on your needs, your dentist will place a temporary resin bridge to protect your prepared abutment teeth, or two temporary dental crowns. Either way, your prepared teeth will be covered and protected until your bridge can be placed.
Bridge Check & Adjustment
Once your bridge is ready, usually within a few weeks, you’ll come into the office to have the bridge checked for proper fit. Minor adjustments may be made by your dentist, if necessary, to ensure that your bridge looks and feels natural. If the bridge requires larger adjustments, it will be sent back to the lab for further refinement.
Placement
Once you and your dentist have determined that the fit of your bridge feels right, they will use powerful dental adhesive to attach it to your abutment teeth, restoring your smile and your bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
