What are crowns?

A dental crown is a restorative prosthetic device that fits over a weak tooth or a dental implant permanently. At Chestnut Hill Dental, your provider takes impressions of your mouth and use the original appearance of your teeth as a template to create your crown on-premises. 

They talk you through your options for materials, which can include porcelain, ceramic, gold, metal, and porcelain fused to metal. If you choose porcelain or ceramic for your crown, they can match the shade to your natural teeth.

You might need a crown for any of these reasons:

• Protecting a weak tooth
• Holding a broken tooth together
• Covering a dental implant to replace a missing tooth
• Concealing an unattractive tooth
• Reinforcing a tooth after a root canal

If you need a crown for a tooth that is still in place, your provider prepares the tooth by reducing its size. This makes room for the crown so that your new tooth doesn’t look bulky or unnatural.

What are bridges?

Bridges are dental prosthetics that replace one missing tooth or two or more teeth next to each other. They consist of one or two dental crowns for the teeth alongside the gap as well as false teeth to fill the empty space. Some bridges include metal attachments for the surrounding teeth instead of crowns.

Just like regular crowns, you have options for the material of your bridge. Your provider helps you review your options and select the best material based on the position of your missing teeth and any specific needs that you may have. 

How long do crowns and bridges last?

As long as you practice good oral hygiene and continue to come to Chestnut Hill Dental for your scheduled appointments, you can expect your crown or bridge to last for the rest of your life. Dental decay and disease can cause your crowns or bridges to come loose, so it’s important to practice standard preventive measures like brushing, flossing, and getting professional cleanings.

Crowns or bridges are very durable, but they can come loose or break if you bite down on a solid object like a cherry pit or a popcorn seed. If your crown or bridge happens to come loose or break, call Chestnut Hill Dental right away for the next steps in your care. If your device comes out entirely, keep it in a safe place until you can get to the office. 

If you need a crown or a bridge to restore the structure of your smile, call Chestnut Hill Dental or book an appointment online today.