Dental Crowns and Bridges

What Are Crowns?

A crown is essentially a cap that surrounds a tooth. These caps are most typically used in restorative dentistry to protect a damaged tooth and for aesthetic reasons.

A small chip in a canine, for example, may not cause any serious dental issues. It could, however, mar a patient’s smile and cause them to feel self-conscious. In such cases, a natural porcelain crown, matched to the natural tooth’s color, could improve the look of the tooth.

The materials that dentists use for crowns have different features that affect durability and appearance. Maple Creek Dental offers three types of dental crowns in Springville, UT:

• All-Metal: The most conspicuous, but most durable option
• Ceramic-On-Metal: A good compromise between durability and a natural look
• All-Ceramic: The most natural-looking option, but less durable than metal.

When installing a crown, Dr. Jackson will remove some of the natural tooth’s surface to make room for the porcelain. He then places the crown and bonds it to the tooth.

Patients typically need to replace crowns after five to seven years, depending on the wear on them. Porcelain, in particular, wears faster than natural teeth.

What Are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge replaces a series of missing teeth. Crowns or implants secure the bridges, so they become a semi-permanent fixture. The bridge includes the teeth and what looks like a bit of the natural gum line.

When installing a bridge, Dr. Jackson will remove some of the natural tooth material of the two teeth on either side of the gap. Patients may need to replace bridges every five to seven years. Again, this is due to wear and tear.

Why Choose Dental Bridges Secured By Crowns?

Securing a bridge to a crown is the traditional method that dentists use. This method has several advantages over using implants or dentures:

• A bridge can be removable for cleaning
• More affordable than implants
• No surgery required
• Shorter installation process (weeks rather than months
• Bridges are more secure than dentures because you don’t use adhesive

What To Expect During The Installation

Getting bridges or crowns installed are relatively similar procedures. Dr. Jackson will, in both instances, take an impression of the tooth or teeth, which is sent to a dental lab so that they can create the new crown or bridge.

During this session, Dr. Jackson will prepare the tooth or teeth for the installation. He will shave off some of the enamel so that there’s room for the cap. Once he’s taken off enough enamel, he’ll seal the area with a temporary crown. He secures this cap with a soluble glue, which makes it easy to remove the temporary cap on the next visit. Patients must take care when eating or brushing their teeth over the next few weeks, as this cap is easier to dislodge.

Once the crown or bridge is ready, the patient comes back in for the installation. Dr. Jackson dissolves the glue and removes the temporary caps. He then attaches the new dental device and bonds it to the teeth.

Patients may then treat the teeth much as they would their natural teeth. All-porcelain devices require a little more care as they can chip or crack more easily than metal ones. Dr. Jackson offers patients the option of a metal/porcelain alternative that’s more durable than porcelain alone.

Taking care of your teeth doesn’t change dramatically after getting a bridge or crown. You can brush and floss as usual. However, you will need to be careful about what you eat and chew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the process painful?

The entire process occurs under conscious sedation, so patients don’t feel a thing. The teeth themselves are sensitive after the procedure because it exposes the pulp and nerve endings more. The temporary crowns alleviate that discomfort.

How long does this take?

That depends on how many crowns you’re having installed. One crown or bridge takes just two appointments to install. The time in between appointments depends on how busy the lab is, but it’s usually a couple of weeks.

Will insurance pay for these procedures?

Insurance typically pays for crowns and bridges in full unless the procedure is purely cosmetic. Patients may be required to pay a co-payment, depending on their insurance carrier. Patients who aren’t sure are welcome to call Maple Creek Dental and ask about coverage.

After the Procedure

When getting dental Restoratives, your teeth will be somewhat sensitive after they have been prepared. This is why you need to wear a temporary crown while waiting for a permanent one to be created. We use sedation dentistry to ensure that you will not experience any discomfort during the procedure and after the fact you simply need to take some oral pain medication for a couple of days until you feel better.

The benefit of wearing a crown is that it surrounds and protects the tooth. This means that regardless of how damaged the tooth was, you can eat your favorite foods without fear of discomfort. A crown can restore the functionality of your mouth by making it easy to eat, drink and speak like normal. This is ideal for people that are suffering from severely sensitive teeth, have a cracked or chipped tooth or have undergone a root canal. Similarly, a bridge makes it possible to eat and speak like normal without worrying about your new tooth becoming loose or falling out. They are both ideal for people that have active lifestyles and don’t want to be constrained by their teeth. To find out if the procedure is right for you, call 801-489-6811 to schedule an appointment with us and discuss your options. At Maple Creek Dental, we make it easier for patients throughout Springville to have a beautiful and functional smile.