Bridges are natural-looking and replace a section of missing teeth. They are permanently cemented in the mouth. A typical bridge consists of two crowns, one on either side of the missing teeth. False teeth fill in the gap and are permanently attached to the crowns on both sides. The two crowns are “anchor teeth” and are referred to as abutments. The anchor teeth/abutments can be natural teeth or implants. The false teeth in between the anchoring teeth/abutments are referred to as pontics. Bridges restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.
What Are Crowns?
Crowns are usually made of a material like porcelain or zircon. They cover the entire tooth and are permanently cemented onto the prepped tooth. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth’s function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal or when decay in a tooth has become so advanced that a large portion of the tooth must be removed. Crowns are also used to cover implants or prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use such as closing gaps, lengthening worn down teeth or straightening teeth that are crooked.
The Procedure
A tooth must be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. An impression is made of the tooth and then is sent to a special lab. The lab manufactures a custom-designed crown for your mouth. A temporary crown is applied until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns are cemented in place.
Caring For Your Crown
With proper care, a good quality crown should last many years. We see crowns that are 30 plus years old every day. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration. Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a crown.
What Makes Gatling Dentistry Different
- Established Office
Our practice opened in 1976 by Dr.Robert Gatling, and are honored to provide dental care for your entire family’s smiles! - Continuing Education
Our staff are constantly involved in continuing education course to further their dental knowledge. We feel these hours directly translate into improved patient care. - Patients Involved In Care
We feel when patients are part of the team, the team is complete. When patients know what we are doing and why we are doing it, they make better decisions for themselves and their expectations are met. - Preventive
We take a proactive preventive approach to our patients care. From our initial exam to our hygiene room, we look for the early warning signs of breakdown, such as worn teeth, in effort to prevent more extensive and expensive treatment down the road.
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