Crowns and Bridges

What are crowns and bridges?

Crowns and bridges are common dental restorations. Though similar, there are differences:

Crowns

Crowns repair severely damaged or decaying teeth. It envelopes the entire portion of enamel above your gum line, restoring your biting and chewing abilities. 

Bridges

A bridge fills a gap where a permanent tooth used to be. Bridges have an artificial tooth and a metal framework or two crowns. Your dentist bonds the framework or crowns to the teeth on either side of the gap. 

After an oral exam, Fremaux Dental Care can determine if a crown or bridge will benefit you.

When are crowns and bridges needed?

Fremaux Dental Care uses crowns to:

• Protect weak and decaying teeth
• Attach to dental implants
• Complete root canal therapy
• Cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth
• Restore broken or severely worn-down teeth

Your dentist might recommend a bridge if you’ve lost a single permanent tooth.

What does getting crowns and bridges involve?

At Fremaux Dental Care, the process for getting crowns and bridges is slightly different.

Getting a crown

Fremaux Dental Care has a CEREC milling machine that manufactures dental crowns onsite. 

Your dentist takes digital scans of your damaged or decaying tooth and uploads them to a computer-design program. Then, they create a blueprint for a custom crown. After finalizing the outline, your dentist uploads it to the CEREC machine. The machine uses the design to create a custom dental crown from a block of ceramic. 

When your new crown is finished, your dentist bonds it on top of your tooth and checks your bite. 

Getting a bridge

Getting a bridge takes two visits.

Your dentist completes an oral exam and takes digital impressions of your mouth. Then, they send your impressions to a dental lab that designs and creates a custom dental bridge.

A week or two later, when your bridge is finished, you return to Fremaux Dental Care. Your dentist bonds it in place, checks your bite, and explains how to care for it.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

Crowns and bridges last 10-12 years* on average, but they may last longer with good oral hygiene. Fremaux Dental Care recommends brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the office every six months for preventive dentistry.

Call Fremaux Dental Care today to learn more about crowns and bridges or make your appointment online. 

*Individual results may vary.

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