Smile Restorations
- Crowns
- A crown is a dental restoration that completely caps or encircles a tooth. This treatment is typically required when a tooth has fractured or decayed to the point where a filling will no longer protect or restore the tooth properly.
- Crowns are also used for teeth that have had root canals or to replace a missing tooth on an implant.
- Composite Fillings
- Are typically recommended to remove decay, or cavities. Cavities can be treated easily and painlessly if they are caught early enough. If not treated in their early stages, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection, and the tooth would need root canal treatment or extraction.
- Bridges
- A bridge is a fixed (non-removable) dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge is fabricated by reducing the teeth for crowns on either side of the missing tooth or teeth and eventually cementing the bridge to the prepared teeth. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. A bridge may be necessary to prevent:
- Shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
- Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
- There are many reasons for a fixed bridge:
- Fill the space of missing teeth
- Restore chewing and speaking ability
- Restore your smile
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
- Maintain facial shape
- Upgrade from a removable partial denture
