Here at Artistic Dentistry in Huntsville, AL, your dentist, Michael S. Pugh, D.M.D, uses crowns and bridges to rebuild smile. If you have been feeling the need to improve your damaged smile, read on to see if these treatments are right for you!

What are dental crowns?

Crowns are porcelain caps that are placed over a tooth in order to restore a biting/chewing functionality and improve aesthetic appearance, especially after a restorative procedure like a root canal. They also prevent tooth cracks from worsening and can protect teeth with thin enamel.

In addition to being an individual restoration, crowns are also used in conjunction with a variety of other procedures such as bridges and dental implants.

What are bridges?

These natural-looking dental appliances are used to help patients that need to replace multiple missing teeth. Consisting of a series of porcelain crowns, bridges are placed over already-existing teeth, in order to replace a missing middle tooth. Custom-made bridges are inconspicuous and can restore the natural look and functionality of your smile.

Two types of bridges exist:

• Fixed dental bridges which are bonded to existing teeth or implants and cannot be removed
• Removable bridges, which obviously can be removed if need be, and are easier to clean.

How do you care for crowns and bridges?

• Avoid biting into ice
• Eat healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, instead of sugary foods that decay teeth
• Brush and floss your teeth every day
• Wear a nightguard if you have a jaw clenching/teeth grinding problem
• Visit your dentist on a regular basis for a dental examination
• Have your teeth cleaned every six months by a hygienist
• Use fluoride-containing products like toothpaste and mouthwash
• Drink plenty of water to wash away food debris

Need dental work? Call our Huntsville office today

For more information about crowns and bridges in the Huntsville, AL area, contact Artistic Dentistry by calling (256) 536-3386 today!

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!