Still two of the most often used restorative dentistry options, dental crowns and bridges give patients a reliable, long lasting solution to correct numerous oral health concerns and smile flaws. At the Metarie dentistry practice of James R. Nelson, DDS, we offer a wide range of restorative dentistry services including crowns and bridges. Our dental restorations are crafted from a variety of materials to meet any need. If you’ve experienced dental damage or decay, call Nelson Dental Care right away. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan to repair damage and renew your oral health.
Crowns are restorations that fit completely over the top of a damaged tooth to replace lost structure and protect the remaining healthy tooth. They can be crafted from a wide range of materials including gold, porcelain fused to metal, and all-ceramic. Each of these materials has its own benefits and disadvantages. Gold causes the least wear against opposing teeth and provides the most durable restoration, making these crowns perfect for large back teeth. However, they do not closely resemble healthy tooth structure, so for front teeth or to ensure a flawless, natural appearance, they are not the best option. Instead, you may want to consider porcelain fused to metal restorations. These strong, long lasting dental crowns look more natural when placed, but over time the porcelain layer of the crown wears down. The most cosmetic solution is an all-ceramic crown. These restorations are crafted from tooth-colored materials, and they retain their natural appearance even as they wear down over time. We use dental crowns for a variety treatments including:
Like dental crowns, fixed bridges can be crafted from gold, porcelain fused to metal, and all-ceramic. A fixed bridge is a tooth replacement prosthetic. Bridges are created by fusing a replacement tooth or teeth to two dental crowns, one on both sides of the replacement tooth. Then, the crowns are attached to surrounding healthy teeth to support the replacement teeth.
Both dental crowns and fixed bridges are placed over the course of two appointments. During the initial visit, we prepare teeth and capture bite impression. We design your custom restoration using these bite impressions, and place a temporary to protect your prepared tooth. The bite impressions and our restoration design are then sent to a trusted dental lab where your crown or bridge will be crafted. When we receive this final restoration, you’ll return to our office to exchange your temporary for the custom dental crown or fixed bridge.
Once your dental crown or bridge is in place, you should continue to brush and floss your teeth as usual. However, you may need to make some small changes to the products you use. For instance, porcelain crowns and bridges will wear down more quickly than natural tooth structure, so we may recommend a less abrasive toothpaste or softer bristled toothbrush. Patients with fixed bridges may need to use specialized flossers to clean the space between the restoration and the gum line where plaque can accumulate.
