Crowns and Bridges
At Redwood Family Dentistry, we offer dental crowns and bridges as part of our restorative dental practice. These services are designed to discreetly protect your teeth after they have been damaged or treated for a root canal, and help you to smile with confidence again. If you have experienced tooth damage or tooth pain, a crown, bridge or both may be a great treatment option for you.
Crowns
A crown is made to cover a damaged tooth to prevent further damage and pain. The zirconia crown material makes the dental crown look like a real tooth, so your dental work will be nearly undetectable and discreet. Crowns offer a long-term solution to tooth damage.
If you are in need of a crown, your treatment will probably take two visits to complete. During your first visit, we will clean and prepare the tooth for the crown. We will then install your temporary crown. After your first appointment, your custom-made permanent dental crown will be created in a lab and prepared for your second visit, during which your permanent crown will be installed.
Bridges
In some restorative dentistry cases, you will need a bridge in addition to a crown in order to repair damage. A bridge is a device used to replace missing teeth by filling the gap left by the absent tooth. A bridge connects the artificial tooth, also known as the pontic, to adjacent natural teeth to secure it in place. Dental crowns are cemented to the natural teeth in order to provide support for the bridge. The attachment procedure usually takes two to three appointments to complete.
Similar to crowns, bridges can be constructed from a variety of dental materials.
Bridges can be fixed, meaning they are bonded into place with cement, or removeable, meaning they can be taken out to be cleaned. While fixed bridges generally offer more stability than removeable bridges, there are some situations in which frequent cleanings may be necessary. Your dentist will evaluate your own needs and suggest a treatment option that is right for you.
Recovery
Whether you are having a bridge procedure or only a simple new crown installation, the area will probably be tender for a couple of days. Some patients experience minor inflammation as their bodies adjust and heal from the procedure. If you have any concerns about the recovery process, talk to your dentist about what to expect.
After having any kind of dental work done, it is important to remain vigilant about your oral hygiene routine. Keeping the area clean during and after recovery will help ensure the success of your procedure, and prevent future damages. This should include frequent brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.
