Crowns & Bridges

What are crowns?

A crown is an artificial tooth cap that’s permanently sealed to a pre-existing root structure, like a natural tooth root or a dental implant. It can be made from different substances, including:

• Porcelain
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Cast gold
• Zirconia

Dr. Gottam helps you choose a material that best suits your particular needs, preferences, and budget.

What do crowns do?

Dr. Gottam might recommend a crown for several reasons, including to:

• Restore a tooth that’s significantly damaged or decayed
• Protect a weak tooth
• Strengthen a tooth that’s fractured or broken
• Replace a discolored, misshapen, or unsightly tooth
• Safeguard a tooth after root canal treatment

Crowns can also be used in conjunction with a dental implant to replace a tooth that’s missing.

What is a bridge?

A bridge is a fixed prosthetic device that replaces one or several teeth that are absent from your smile. Dental bridges have two main components: an artificial tooth (pontic) and two dental crowns to hold it in place. The crowns support the pontic(s) and act like endpoints to the bridge.

If your adjacent teeth can’t support crowns, Dr. Gottam might recommend an alternative bridge, like a Maryland bonded bridge or a cantilever bridge. A Maryland bonded bridge holds the pontic in place with a metal framework glued to the back of your adjacent teeth, while a cantilever bridge is held in place with only one dental crown.

What do bridges do?

A bridge is designed to replace a tooth or teeth that are missing entirely from your smile. By replacing your missing tooth, a bridge helps to:

• Prevent your teeth from shifting out of alignment
• Improve your ability to speak and chew
• Evenly distribute your biting force

A bridge also improves the appearance of your smile by filling in the unsightly holes left by your missing tooth or teeth.

How do I get a crown or bridge?

Getting a crown or bridge is a quick and easy process that requires two visits to NRH Family Dentistry. During your first visit, Dr. Gottam shaves some enamel from your tooth that’s going to receive the crown.

Next, she takes an impression of your teeth, which she sends to a lab. The lab designs your crown or bridge so that it fits perfectly in your smile while you wear a temporary restoration for a few weeks. You come back to NRH Family Dentistry when you’re permanent crown or bridge is back from the lab, and Dr. Gottam seals it in place.

Get started with your crowns and bridges today by calling the NRH Family Dentistry office or booking an appointment online.