Bridges and Crowns
 Tooth loss is incredibly common, with nearly 180 million American adults missing at least one of their permanent teeth. However, even though it is common, it does not change the fact that many of our patients are embarrassed about their lost tooth and may not want to share their warm and kind smile with the rest of the world out of shame.
To make matters worse, losing a tooth not only negatively impacts your self-esteem, but it can also lead to pain when you bite, difficulty eating, and even more unwanted tooth loss as the remaining teeth drift into the vacated spot and become loose, too.
We here at Sharokina Eshaghi, DMD understand how you must be feeling when you lose a tooth, which is why we are happy to offer bridges and crowns to our patients to not only restore their smile but also their confidence.
What are Bridges and Crowns and What Do They Do?
While dental crowns can stand alone as their type of restorative dentistry, bridges really cannot function without the aid of a crown. Bridges are a type of fixed restoration, which means that they remain in your mouth at all times and cannot be removed like a denture or a partial. Bridges work by acting as a prosthetic tooth when you have sustained tooth loss, but they do require the support from dental crowns on both sides. Bridges usually are made up of both the prosthetic tooth, called a pontic, and the crown.
A dental crown, also known as a cap, is a restoration that covers an existing tooth. Crowns are often made of a variety of materials, including amalgam metal, composite resin, and porcelain. Most of our patients prefer tooth-colored restorations, as they can be dyed to match the surrounding teeth for a more natural appearance. While dental crowns are more commonly used for teeth that have sustained severe tooth decay or injury, or after a root canal, they can also cover a healthy tooth when used in conjunction with a dental bridge.
When you lose a tooth, it is vital that you fill the gap it left behind as quickly as possible. If left untreated, it can cause even more tooth loss and needless pain. Gaps and spaces between your teeth can also cause your face to sag and appear prematurely aged. Getting a bridge and a crown is a simple and straightforward procedure. Generally, we can complete it in as little as two appointments.
What We Do During Your Appointment
During your first appointment, we will first carefully shape down the teeth on either side of the bridge so that we can place the crown over it. We will then take an impression of your mouth to send to our lab to make your restoration. You will be fitted with a temporary crown and bridge while we wait for your final restoration. Once your bridge and crown return from our lab, we will ensure it is a good fit and that we are both satisfied with it. Then we will cement it in place for a secure and long-lasting restoration that can give you your own natural, happy smile again!
If you are interested in learning more about dental crowns and bridges, or you would like to set up an appointment with us here at Sharokina Eshaghi, DMD, please give us a call at (209) 526-4884 today!
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