Crown and Bridge

A crown-- sometimes referred to as a "cap"-- is one of many solutions that can be used to restore damaged teeth. Dental crowns are typically recommended for patients who need tooth reconstruction following a root canal, have a tooth that is broken in such a way that it might interfere with other solutions (such as overlays), and patients who need to replace an old crown for functional or aesthetic reasons.

When scheduling a dental crown procedure, it's extremely important to find a licensed dentist who is highly-skilled and delivers compassionate care. To place a dental crown, the dentist first removes a portion of the tooth structure-- as well as any cracks, decay, or other damage-- which allows the crown to be placed on the tooth.

Dental crowns are created prior to the patient procedure by a laboratory technician and can be crafted from a variety of materials. The type of crown you should get depends on your own preferences and your unique dental needs. Elizabeth Wakim DDS offers several options to help you customize your dental care, including:

• Ceramic crowns

• Zirconia crowns

Different types of crowns may work better for different people. For example, patients who grind or clench their teeth may find that durable Zirconia crowns are their best option, especially for crowns placed in the back of the mouth. By comparison, many patients select all ceramic crowns-- like Emax Press-- for crowns placed in the front of the mouth due to their natural appearance.

Your dentist can help you determine what type of crown best fits your needs. After your selection is made, your dentist will help you customize the shape and color of your crown to give it the most pleasing appearance possible.

We make all crowns in office, which means patients can often leave with their permanent crown at the end of their visit.

Crowns and onlays are extremely similar in procedure, appearance, and cost. When you get an onlay, your dentist still begins by removing a portion of the tooth structure and any cracks, cavities, or damage. However, an onlay requires less of the tooth structure to be removed.

A crown falling off is considered a dental emergency, and you absolutely must make an appointment with your dentist to address it. If you are not in pain, you can purchase temporary dental cement over the counter at your local pharmacy to protect the tooth until your appointment. However, temporary cement is just that-- a temporary solution. Because you aren't able to properly clean and sterilize your tooth when you do a DIY fix, it is still important to have a licensed dentist provide a more permanent solution.

If you are experiencing pain, it's important to see a dentist as quickly as possible.

Dental bridges are one of many solutions that can be used to address missing teeth. Bridges span the gap left behind when a tooth (or teeth) falls out or is extracted. They are attached to the teeth on either side of the gap via strong dental crowns, which ensures that the bridge is secure.

Much like dental crowns, dental bridges can be made from a variety of materials depending on your unique dental needs and preferences. Elizabeth Wakim offers a variety of options, including:

• Ceramic bridges

• Zirconia bridges

We strive to make all bridges in office, which means patients can often leave with their permanent bridge at the end of their visit. For longer bridges, a permanent bridge may need to be manufactured in our lab. In these situations, a patient will leave their initial appointment with a temporary bridge and will need to schedule another appointment to have the permanent bridge placed.

Placing a crown or bridge typically requires at least 2 visits to the office.

During the first session, the dentist will focus on preparing the teeth to accommodate the crown or bridge. This involves removing a portion of the tooth structure to accommodate the crown as well as removing any cracked or damaged areas of the tooth. To place a dental bridge, the tooth on either side of the gap to be bridged must be prepped in this way. The dentist will also take an impression of the teeth during the first session so that a comfortable crown or bridge can be crafted. To protect the tooth or teeth between appointments, the dentist will also cover the prepared teeth using temporary dental cement.

The second session involves placing and permanently adhering the crown or bridge. Crowns and fixed bridges are attached to the teeth with a bonding adhesive. Removable bridges are placed using clips.