Are you ready to find out if crowns and bridges can treat your tooth loss?

Dealing with a damaged smile or tooth loss? Not sure what to do? Then turn to our Huntsville, AL family dentist Dr. Michael Pugh for the answer.

What are dental crowns?

A crown is a tooth-shaped hollow cap that fits over the entire crown of a tooth that has been damaged. Crowns are used to strengthen and restore the tooth and can also be used to improve a tooth’s appearance (e.g. color; shape). Crowns can be made from a variety of materials but ceramic or porcelain crowns are usually the most popular because they can be matched to your natural tooth for a seamless, realistic look.

What are dental bridges?

Our Huntsville general dentist may recommend a dental bridge if you are missing one or more permanent teeth. Gaps where teeth used to be can cause the rest of your smile to shift out of place, causing a bad bite. In order to prevent this problem, you’ll want to choose a tooth replacement like bridges that can fill the gap and prevent teeth from moving out of place.

When it comes to securing a dental bridge, two crowns are placed over healthy teeth on either side of the gap and cemented to the false tooth or teeth in the center to fill the gap and replace missing teeth.

How do crowns and bridges work together to replace missing teeth?

Before you get a bridge or crown your teeth will need to be prepared for the new restoration. This means shaving the tooth down so that the crown can fit over the tooth properly. Once enough enamel has been removed impressions are taken of your teeth to create a crown and bridge that will fit your smile. If we are using porcelain we will also determine the right shade to match the rest of your teeth.

From the impressions taken, a dental lab will make your crown and/or bridge. In the meantime, we will place a temporary crown or bridge over the prepared tooth or teeth until your permanent restoration is made. When the permanent crown or bridge is finished we will remove the temporary one and then cement the new restoration into place.

Have questions about crowns and bridges? Ready to find out if they are the right treatment for you? Then call Artistic Dentistry today and let Dr. Pugh know that you’re ready to get restorative dentistry. We are proud to serve the Huntsville, AL area!