Dentistry stands at the intersection of art and science, and nothing exemplifies this better than the process of dental crowns and bridges. A dental crown, often referred to as a “cap,” is a tailor-made covering that fits snugly over a damaged, decayed, or aesthetically unpleasing tooth, bringing back its original glory. This procedure can also play a pivotal role in dental bridgework, a comprehensive solution for tooth restoration.
The Journey to a Perfect Smile with Dental Crown and Capping
A crown fully envelopes a tooth above the gum line, distinguishing it from a dental veneer which only shields a tooth’s frontal surface, relying heavily on the natural tooth structure for support. When a tooth lacks substantial structure above the gum line, opting for a crown becomes the preferred choice for restoration, paving the way for enhanced oral health and a radiant smile.
Utilizing high-tech porcelain materials, including all-porcelain crowns infused with zirconia, the strongest ceramic available, crowns are crafted to mimic the appearance of natural teeth to perfection. Dr. Gary Belenski and his team are adept at working with various materials, including cast gold and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM), to offer solutions that marry durability with aesthetics, promising a smile that is both strong and beautiful.
Crowning or Capping a Tooth: What to Expect
Embarking on the journey of dental crowns involves two to three visits to Dr. Gary Belenski’s clinic. The initial visit focuses on preparing your tooth to welcome its new crown, a process that involves reshaping the tooth to fit inside its new cover seamlessly. Rest assured, the procedure, though involving drilling, is carried out with utmost care, ensuring the surrounding area is numbed to avoid discomfort.
As we progress, impressions of your teeth are captured digitally or through reliable, putty-like materials, facilitating the creation of a crown that enhances your smile while promising functionality. The subsequent visit witnesses the attachment of your permanent crown, a step that brings you closer to the smile you envisioned.
Creating a Bridge
Crowns can also be used to create a lifelike replacement for a missing tooth. This is done with bridgework, which spans the space of the missing tooth and requires at least three crowns. Two of those crowns will be placed over healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth; these healthy teeth are referred to as abutment teeth. The two crowned abutment teeth become supports for a third crown placed in between them; that third crown is referred to as a pontic. If more than one tooth is missing, more crowns will be needed to bridge the gap in between the abutment teeth.
The number of abutment teeth necessary to replace missing teeth is influenced by the number of missing teeth, the size and length of the abutment tooth roots, the amount of bone support each abutment tooth has, as well as where in the mouth the missing tooth is located. For example, if you have three missing teeth, four abutment teeth may be necessary, thereby creating a seven-tooth bridge. Engineering and designing of the bridge requires an understanding of how to replace teeth, as well as the biology of the supporting gum and bone tissue.
Caring for Your Dental Crowns & Bridgework
In the realm of cosmetic dentistry, our team goes beyond individual crowns to master the intricate process of crafting lifelike bridges, a cornerstone of dental bridgework Westminster services. This procedure is a beacon of hope for those looking to replace missing teeth, bringing back the symmetry and functionality to your smile. Leveraging the strategic placement of crowns over healthy abutment teeth, we create a bridge that not only fills the gap left by the missing tooth but also blends seamlessly with your natural teeth, promising a restoration that is both aesthetic and functional.
The process of creating a dental bridge involves meticulous planning and a deep understanding of oral anatomy. It begins with the careful selection of abutment teeth, which serve as pillars for the bridge. These crowned abutment teeth become the support system for a third crown placed in between them, referred to as a pontic. Depending on the number of missing teeth and the specific conditions in your mouth, the design of the bridge may vary, sometimes necessitating more than two abutment teeth to support additional crowns. Dr. Gary Belenski and his team are here to guide you through each step, ensuring a solution that is tailored to meet your individual needs, restoring both confidence in your smile and functionality in your bite.