Dental Crowns and Bridges Katonah, NY
There are several ways a tooth can be repaired or replaced after sustaining damage from decay or trauma. One of the most common and reliable ways dentists can restore both function and form to a defective tooth is by applying a dental crown. Crowns are a versatile restoration: they finish off root canals and can be used in conjunction with a bridge to replace missing teeth.
Crowns
Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. In many instances, crowns allow the root structure of natural teeth to remain fixed in place while compensating for the loss of the upper portion of the tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed by tooth decay.
Crowns are "cemented" onto an existing tooth and fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Crowns or onlays (partial crowns) are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.
Dental Bridge
If you are missing one or more teeth, our Katonah, NY dentist might recommend replacing your missing teeth with a dental bridge. Just as the name suggests, this oral device bridges the gap that is left by a missing tooth. A bridge can also help maintain the shape of your face and alleviate stress on your bite.
One option is to place a crown on each tooth adjacent to the empty space and have a replacement tooth (also called a pontic) added between. The three porcelain teeth fused together are called a bridge and are cemented in place. Pontics can be matched in size, shape, and color to the teeth they are replacing for a natural appearance. There are other kinds of bridges, some of which are removable. Dental bridges are either fixed in place with crowns or are held in place with attachments.
Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it's very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.