If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, our dentist can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted to protect your teeth that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. Veneers are a less invasive procedure, and are mainly to address cosmetic issues of the front teeth. These thin porcelain shells are bonded to the surface of your teeth and will blend with the other teeth for a beautiful appearance.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Crowns
A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is fitted over your natural tooth after necessary prepartion of the underlying structure. We recommend this procedure for those who have a tooth that has majority of the tooth structure damaged and needs further protection. The crown will be custom shaded to blend in with your natural smile.
Procedure
- We will shape the tooth for a proper crown fit
- An impression is taken of the newly shaped tooth for crown fabrication
- The color of porcelain is selected to match the surrounding teeth
- We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one
- You will come in again for permanent crown fitting after 2 weeks
Bridges
To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants in certain situations. With a traditional bridge the caps are cemented over the teeth that lie on either side of the missing tooth. The teeth holding the bridge are shaped just like a single tooth is shaped for a crown.
Veneers
If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are non-invasive and are resistant to future stains. It is recommended with veneers that the tooth to be corrected and its neighboring teeth are veneered at the same time for optimal esthetics and smile enhancing.
Common uses for veneers
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Misshapen or irregular teeth
- Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
Implants
A dental implant mimics the form and function of a natural tooth, which consists of a root and a crown. The crown is the visible part of your tooth and is used to chew food.The crown is attached to the jawbone by way of the root. When decay has gone deep enough or when periodontal disease has advanced enough to warrant an extraction, the entire tooth, root and crown, is taken out. The dental implant is a titanium fixture that is placed in the jaw where the tooth once was. Once the implant heals and fuses with the bone we place a crown on top. The new crown is customized to match your bite and the color of your teeth.
What are the benefits of getting teeth implants?
- They look and act like natural teeth
- They can last a lifetime with the right care
- They improve appearance, comfort, and speech
- It’s easier to eat
While we do not place implants we work with local periodontists and oral surgeons to plan comprehensive treatment and implant placement. After the surgeon determines the implant is healed properly in the bone he/she will send you back to our office to begin the finals stages of restoring the implant. This will consist of a custom impression of the implant for crown fabrication. The lab will design an implant crown to match the rest of your teeth and restore your smile to its natural look.