Crown & Bridge
What is a crown?
A crown is a tooth shaped restoration that covers an existing tooth.
Why do I need a crown?
Crowns help protect an existing tooth when the structural strength has been compromised either through fracture, root canal therapy, or faulty large fillings. Sometimes teeth that are malformed may need a crown for optimal occlusion as well. Crowns help replace missing teeth when placed on a dental implant.
Is the crown a necessary procedure after a dental implant?
Dental implants are placed by a dentist specializing in implant placement and then after a period of healing, a crown will be required to cover the post that was implanted into the bone. The crown can be placed in our office after implant placement from a specialist.
What type of crown should I get, a porcelain, PFM, or a full gold crown?
Dr. Nguyen can discuss the treatment option that best suites your needs. Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns have a metal infrastructure, allowing it to be very strong and durable, with a porcelain, tooth-colored covering for a natural looking crown.
Full porcelain crowns are used for anterior teeth, usually for esthetic purposes. Although this type of crown provides less strength, it provides the most translucency of all crown types, allowing porcelain restorations to be the most natural looking restoration.
Full gold crowns are the most giving of the crowns in that gold is a malleable element that mimics the properties of natural teeth, providing strength and natural wear.
For a detailed comparison of different crown restorations, please visit the ADA website.
What is a bridge?
A bridge is a restoration that replaces missing teeth in your mouth without the use of a dental implant. A bridge is usually permanently fixed in your mouth bridging the gap between existing teeth.
Why do I need a bridge?
When there is a missing space in your teeth, existing teeth like to move to touch other teeth, which can cause bite and hygiene issues. A bridge provides a space holder for missing teeth, preventing unnecessary movement. A bridge also esthetically replaces missing teeth.