Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges

What is a crown?

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged tooth to restore its appearance and strength. Used as a way to restore and protect a damaged tooth, crowns can strengthen a compromised tooth, improve its appearance, and prevent further damage from taking place.

The crown procedure 

After your dentist has prepared your tooth, they will place a temporary crown over the tooth that needs to be restored. A temporary crown will protect the tooth and ensure that you can chew properly. It also acts as a buffer to maintain a proper shape for your final crown.

When is a dental crown necessary?

A dental crown is a dental restoration that completely covers a tooth. The crown sits above the gum line, covering the entire tooth. It is cemented in place, which means there is no removable portion.

A dental crown may be recommended when there is extensive damage to a tooth due to either decay or injury. It may also be recommended if a filling is too large and there is not enough tooth structure left to support it.

Here are the specific areas where a dental crown can be used:

• To safeguard a tooth that is fragile or damaged
• To keep a tooth from falling out.
• to keep a broken tooth together
• To restore a tooth after a root canal procedure
• On top of a dental implant, as a replacement tooth
• In a dental bridge, as a support for a replacement tooth

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a dental device that fills a gap in your smile. It’s made up of two crowns that go over two adjoining teeth. These crowns are connected to the false teeth that will fill the gap.

Dental bridges are a conservative treatment. They don’t require extensive treatment like dental implants, but they do require two healthy teeth. The crowns will be placed on these teeth, and the supporting teeth will be prepared so they can accept a crown.

What situations require a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that can replace one to three missing teeth in a row. This dental bridge consists of a false tooth in the middle, supported on either side by crowns.

Dental bridges are an ideal option when teeth are missing due to a cavity, periodontal disease, or injury. It can also help restore the patient’s normal speaking and chewing abilities.

Benefits of dental bridges

The major advantage of a dental bridge is that it closes the gap created by a lost tooth right away. By bridging the gap, a bridge achieves various benefits, including:

• Reduce your chances of getting gum disease.
• Restore your ability to chew and bite
• Maintain a natural-looking grin while improving speech and preventing remaining teeth from slipping out of position.

To learn about our dental procedures, call Desert Mountain Dental at (520) 324-0100 and schedule an appointment or visit our Tucson dental office.