Dental Crowns & Bridges – Plano, TX
Treating Broken, Misshapen, or Missing Teeth
Crowns and bridges are durable restorative dentistry treatments used to rebuild the shape and size of damaged teeth. As board-certified dentists with decades of combined experience, Dr. Khan place high-quality dental crowns and bridges in Plano, TX at Dental Distinction. These dentistry restorations are often necessary when treating broken, misshapen, or missing teeth. To learn more about dental crowns and bridges, call Dental Distinction or request an appointment online today.
Why Choose Dental Distinction for Dental Crowns & Bridges?
- Natural-Looking, Metal-Free Materials Utilized
- Digital Impressions Without Messy Putty
- Treatment Plans Distinctly Designed for Your Needs
What Are Dental Crowns and Bridges?
Crowns and bridges are dental restorations used to rebuild and protect damaged teeth. When you have dental damage, such as a cracked tooth, your teeth no longer fit together the way they should.
That can change your bite. Over time, a misaligned bite puts stress on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ)s in your jaw. It also adds pressure to certain teeth, increasing your risk of additional tooth damage.
Crowns and bridges restore your teeth to their natural shape, size, and color. Not only do they enhance the appearance of your teeth, but they also restore your tooth function to realign your bite. If you have damaged teeth, these restorations can help improve your ability to chew and speak comfortably.
How Are Dental Crowns and Bridges Different?
Crowns and bridges can work separately or in conjunction with one another. Their functions include:
Dental Crowns
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that look identical to your natural teeth. A crown fits snugly over the visible portion of a damaged tooth to restore and protect it. Crowns come in a variety of materials, including tooth-colored porcelain and durable, long-lasting gold.
Single and multiple crowns are available at Dental Distinction as a standalone treatment. Your dentist can also combine your crowns with a dental bridge if you have one or more missing teeth.
Bridges
A dental bridge replaces missing teeth. If you have a missing tooth, your dentist fits your surrounding teeth with dental crowns. These crowns act as abutments, or anchors, to stabilize your new artificial tooth (pontic), which occupies the space your missing tooth once held.
How Do I Know If I Need Dental Crowns and Bridges?
Your dentist may recommend crowns if you have one or more of the following dental concerns:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Severely discolored teeth
- Teeth with large fillings
- Teeth worn down from grinding
You may need a dental bridge if you have a missing tooth. Depending on how many missing teeth you have, your dentist may recommend combining this treatment with crowns or a partial denture.
How Are Dental Crowns and Bridges Placed?
Whether you visit Dental Distinction for crowns, a bridge, or both, your dentist starts with a full dental exam, including high-quality X-rays. The initial evaluation helps the team determine which treatment is right for you.
Next, your dentist cleans and prepares your teeth for crowns. They file and reshapes your teeth to give the crowns enough room to blend in with the rest of your smile. Once he’s finished, they take impressions of your teeth. These impressions serve as models for your crowns or bridge.
It takes about two or three weeks to create crowns and bridges. While you wait, your dentist places temporary restorations to protect your teeth. At your final visit, they replace your temporary restorations with permanent ones.