NATURAL LOOKING AND FEELING PORCELAIN BONDED CROWNS (NO METAL) AND BRIDGES

Crown and bridge treatment is a long term method of replacing missing teeth. Crown and bridges are often made from superior materials such as precious metals (gold), semi-precious metals, porcelain, or a combination of metal fused to porcelain. Both esthetics (appearance) and function are considered when selecting the material most suitable to you.

Wellington Cosmetic Dentistry & All Porcelain Crowns

When a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold and other metals, acrylic resin, or mix of these materials. Porcelain crowns typically have the most realistic appearance, although they tend to be less durable than other materials. Crowns can whiten, reshape, and realign existing teeth, adding to a healthy and vibrant smile.

Wellington Cosmetic Dentistry Preparing the Tooth and Porcelain Crown

During your first visit, Dr. Sadati will numb the tooth to be crowned and remove the decay in or around it. The tooth is then rescultped to provide an easy fit for the crown. This is a painless process that is performed in Dr. Sadati's dental office.

An impression of your teeth is then taken and sent to the dental lab where permanent, custom-made crowns are created (this usually takes one to two weeks). During this interim period, temporary crowns made of an acrylic resin are fitted onto the teeth.

Applying the Crown

On your next visit, Dr. Sadati removes the temporary crown and fits the permanent crown onto the teeth. He or she makes sure the crown has the proper look and fit, and then cements the crown into place.

Maintaining Your New Crown

The proper dental hygiene for normal teeth should be applied to your new crown. Daily brushing and flossing will help to keep the teeth, gums, and new crown free from the bacteria that can cause gum disease. Avoid chewing on hard foods such as ice or pistachios shells, which, over time, can cause crowns to crack or break. Given proper care, crowns can last several decades, and may last a lifetime.

Bridges provided by Wellington Cosmetic Dentistry

A bridge is a device used to fill the space where a tooth has fallen out or been removed. A typical bridge consists of a pontic (a filler tooth) that is attached to two surrounding crowns (abutments). Once complete, this bridge structure is bonded or cemented into the mouth. Without the use of a bridge, spaces in the mouth from missing teeth can cause multiple teeth to shift, lead to occlusion (biting) and/or jaw problems, and may spur periodontal disease. Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.

The Process

Bridges usually require two trips to Dr. Sadati's office. During the initial visit, the surrounding teeth are numbed with a local anesthetic. Dr. Sadati prepares the surrounding teeth by cleaning any plaque or decay that remains and reducing them so that the crowns can be fitted. Dr. Sadati makes a mold of the teeth and sends it off to a dental lab where the customized impression is prepared. The customized mold takes one to two weeks to return to the office. In the interim, patients are fitted with a temporary bridge constructed of acrylic resin. When the patient returns to the dental office, Dr. Sadati removes the temporary bridge and replaces it with the permanent one. Dr. Sadati then adjusts the bridge for the proper bite and fit, and the bridge is permanently bonded into the mouth.

Types of Bridges provided by Wellington Cosmetic Dentistry

There are several different types of bridges. The first is a fixed bridge, which consists of a filler tooth (referred to as a pontic) that is attached to two crowns. The crowns fit over the existing teeth to hold the bridge in place. The fixed bridge is the most popular bridge.

Another bridge design is a composite bond, known as a "Maryland" bridge. This type of bridge is commonly used to replace the front teeth. The pontic is attached to metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth and the metal bands are hidden with a white-colored composite resin.

A cantilever bridge is often used when there are teeth on only one side of the span. A typical 3 unit cantilever bridge consists of two abutment crowns that are positioned side by side on the same side of the missing tooth space. The pontic is then connected to the two crowns, which extend into the missing tooth space.

In cases of missing teeth, Dr. Sadati may decide implant is the most appropriate choice. Please refer to Dental Implants in the Patient Education Library for more information. When a series of teeth are missing, Dr. Sadati may suggest a removable partial denture as the most effective way to maintain the structure of the jawbone and teeth.

Proper Maintenance

Special care must be given to insure that the gumline and area surrounding the new structure is kept clean. This is especially true because the pontic and crowns are constructed as a single piece. Special floss and water pick are often necessary to clean underneath the teeth and maintain strong, healthy gums. With proper dental care, bridges can last up to 10 years.

Dr Sam Sadati DDS - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, dental implants and dental spas to the area of Wellington, South Florida.