Crowns & Bridges

A crown, also called a cap, is placed over a tooth that requires protection (such as a tooth with a large filling or a tooth that has a root canal). The crown restores the tooth and protects it from further damage plus it looks and functions very much like a natural tooth.

For a crown you will require two appointments. At the first appointment you will be given a local anesthetic. The tooth that needs to be restored will be filed down and an impression/image will be taken. This impression/image is sent to a lab to fabricate the crown. Sometimes the dentist may also need to build up the tooth structure and/or place a post to help retain the core underneath the crown. A temporary crown will be placed to protect your tooth until you come back for the crown insert (please remember that a temporary crown does not have the same shape and colour as the final crown). At the second appointment the temporary crown will be removed, and the final crown will be placed and checked to make sure it is the right fit, shape, colour, and bite. If it is, the crown will be cemented in place.

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Dental bridges are an option to replace missing teeth. The dentist will examine the health of your gums, teeth, and surrounding bone to evaluate if you are a candidate for a dental bridge.

For the preparation of the dental bridge, you will be numbed as the dentist needs to prepare the teeth required to support the bridge. If the support teeth are decayed or badly broken down, our dentist at Monterey Dental may have to build them back up before they can be used as support teeth for a bridge. Images will be taken and sent to the lab to fabricate the dental bridge by a skilled lab technician so that it precisely fits the prepared teeth. Once the bridge is fabricated, it will be fitted on the teeth that were prepared and will be cemented permanently. Our dentists at Monterey Dental will ensure that it fits well and feels comfortable prior to you leaving our office.

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The three predominant choices of restorative materials for the crown and bridge are:

• All-ceramic (all-porcelain)
• Gold
• Porcelain fused to metal.

The material selected is determined by the clinical demands at hand, esthetic demands, strength requirements, material durability, and restorative space available.

Our dental team at Monterey Dental will evaluate your tooth/teeth and discuss the best option for you. We believe that the patient should be apart of the process in decision making.

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Benefits of Dental Crowns:

• Protects Damaged Teeth: Dental crowns can shield damaged teeth from further decay or harm by providing a strong, protective covering over the tooth. This provides an extra layer of protection and resilience.
• Restores Tooth Function: Crowns can restore damaged teeth, allowing patients to chew and speak normally again.
• Enhances Appearance: Crowns can improve the aesthetic appeal of damaged teeth, giving them a more natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

How Dental Crowns Are Placed:

• Tooth Preparation: Your dentist will prepare the damaged tooth by extracting any decayed or damaged portions and shaping it to fit a crown.
• Impression: The dentist will take an impression of your prepared tooth and any surrounding teeth to create a custom crown.
• Temporary Crown: In order to protect your prepared tooth while waiting for a custom crown to be made, a temporary crown should be placed over it.
• Placement of the Crown: When your custom crown is ready, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and secure it over prepared teeth using dental cement.

Maintaining Your Dental Crowns:

Brush and floss regularly to keep the area surrounding the crown clean.

Be mindful when chewing hard or sticky foods that could damage the crown.

Regular dental check-ups are essential to maintain your crown properly and detect any potential issues before they become serious.

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Benefits of Dental Bridges:

Dental bridges are prosthetic devices used to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges typically consist of porcelain and metal components and are secured in place using dental crowns placed over adjacent teeth.

• Bridges Restore Tooth Function: Bridges can help restore the function of missing teeth, enabling individuals to chew and speak normally again.
• Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: Bridges can enhance the aesthetic of missing teeth, giving patients a more natural-looking smile that is aesthetically pleasing.
• Prevents tooth movement: Bridges can help keep surrounding teeth in their proper positions by filling in any gaps left by missing teeth.

How Dental Bridges Are Placed:

• Tooth Preparation: The dentist will prepare the adjacent teeth by scraping away some enamel to make room for crowns that will secure the bridge in place.
• Impression: The dentist will take an impression of both prepared teeth and adjacent teeth to create a custom bridge.
• Temporary Bridge: A temporary bridge will be built over the prepared teeth while the custom bridge is being made.
• Placing of the Bridge: Once your custom bridge is ready, your dentist will remove the temporary bridge and attach the new one over prepared teeth using dental cement.

Maintaining Your Dental Bridges:

Brush and floss regularly to keep the area around the bridge clean.

Use special floss or interdental brushes to floss beneath the bridge.

Be mindful when chewing hard or sticky foods that could damage the bridge.

Dental crowns and bridges offer a number of advantages to those seeking to enhance the aesthetic and functional aspects of their teeth. Both procedures utilize dental prosthetics, and they need regular upkeep in order to stay in optimal condition.



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