Crowns and Bridges

How do crowns function?

Your dental crowns can protect and restore teeth that are damaged from decay or fracture. Crowns can greatly improve the appearance, shape, and function of your natural teeth. There are several types of materials used to make dental crowns, buthighly esthetic materials that look just like a natural tooth are used most-often at Littleton Family Dental, and are the most popular type of crowns. They are made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. They are cemented to your natural tooth or implant, so they are not removable.

When would you require dental crowns?

Dental crowns are typically recommended for the following reasons:

•  Replacement of a large filling
•  Protecting weak tooth structure from a fracture
•  For dental bridge attachment
•  Restore implants
•  Restore teeth that have undergone a root canal

What are dental bridges?

When a tooth is lost , it is very important to replace this missing tooth to avoid functional and esthetic issues such as  imbalanced bite issues, drifting teeth or teeth rotation. Bridges are one method of  replacing a single lost tooth or multiple teeth.  A dental bridge is essentially two dental crown supporting a replacement tooth in the missing tooth space. Like a single dental crown, a bridge is cemented to your teeth, making it a much more desirable choice for many over a removable appliance.

Tooth-colored bridges are high in demand as they offer great aesthetics and balance to teeth.

Why would one require bridges?

Dental bridges serve well not only as a functional restoration, but also retain or restore esthetics. Bridges can:

• Reduce the risks of gum disease
• Restore your ability to chew and bite
• Improve the quality of your speech
• Prevent the chances of teeth drifting
• Preserve a natural looking smile

With all dental work, good oral hygiene practices and regular for follow up visits with the dentist and hygienist are important!