Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are extremely effective for restoring teeth that have become infected, damaged, or has fallen out. Dr. R. Ben Alexander, DDS can complete these procedures in a way that looks natural while resolving oral health issues. This way, a patient can regain the functionality of their teeth without giving the appearance of any dental work.
What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth. Dr. Alexander will typically use a crown to restore a damaged tooth, but they can also use it to improve the appearance of a smile. A crown can consist of three different materials, all-metal, ceramic-on-metal, and all-ceramic. The location of the crown in the teeth will determine the best material to use.
What are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a way to replace one or more missing teeth. At R. Ben Alexander, DDS, we provide clients with dental bridges if they want to replace a tooth without wearing dentures or undergoing surgery. The new tooth is held in place by two crowns. It looks natural and consists of a ceramic or porcelain material to match the surrounding teeth. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Alexander will make sure that the new tooth looks and feels amazing.
Before the Procedure
If you are getting dental crowns or a dental bridge for cosmetic reasons, we recommend that you whiten your teeth first. Your crowns are bleach and stain resistant and their color will be matched to the current color of the rest of your teeth. If you whiten your teeth first, then your crowns will match your whitened teeth and your entire smile will shine!
Placing a Dental Crown or Dental Bridge
When getting dental crowns and dental bridges installed, it is advisable that you work with a cosmetic dentist, like Dr. Alexander, who knows how to complete the procedure in a way that looks natural. We also ensure our patients are comfortable by using sedation dentistry to help them relax during the procedure.
Before getting started, an impression is taken of the teeth so that the new crown or bridge can be created in a dental lab. During the procedure, the team will remove a portion of the enamel so that there is room for the new crown to surround the tooth without pushing other teeth out of place.
With a bridge, a crown is placed on the two teeth that are surrounding the missing one. On top of the crown is a piece that looks like natural gums that will hold the new tooth in place. These two crowns serve as anchors for this synthetic “bridge” and makes the new tooth as durable as it can be. Patients depend on this procedure as a way to replace missing teeth in a way that looks natural and restores the functionality of the missing tooth.
For more information about dental crowns and bridges, or to plan your next visit with R. Ben Alexander, DDS, call our office or go online to make an appointment with Dr. Alexander and the amazing R. Ben Alexander, DDS dental team.