Questions About Crowns and Bridges

San Antonio, Texas

What are crowns and bridges?
Produced in a laboratory, crowns and bridges are utilized as protective coverings. They replace or restore teeth that are chipped, broken, diseased or missing and are also used to increase the beauty of natural teeth. A crown covers and preserves a single tooth and a bridge replaces one or more missing teeth.

Under what situations are crowns and bridges typically used?
When natural tooth structure proves to be deficient in supporting and maintaining bonded resins or the thin veneers made from porcelain that are preferred so often today, crowns and bridges are often used. Preferably they are made from all-porcelain. They can also be made of porcelain-fused-with-metal or a gold alloy. Most people prefer the appealingly lifelike qualities and beauty of all-porcelain crowns.

What is the lifespan of crowns and bridges?
Crowns and bridges normally last a decade or longer. Before the now-common usage of all-porcelain crowns, an unattractive, dark line used to appear at the bottom of the crown, close to the gum line. That was the metal lining being exposed by naturally receding gums. Now, with all porcelain, you can enjoy the pearly white beauty of porcelain crowns and bridges for their lifetime.

How long does it take to complete a crown and/or bridge?
It typically takes two visits. The first visit is to prepare the teeth and make a mold of the area for the lab to use. You may wear temporary crowns while you wait for the second visit. The second visit is for fitting the crown or bridge and cementing it in place.

Is the procedure for having crowns and/or bridges placed in my mouth painful?
A local anesthetic is typically used for crown and bridge procedures. It's given for the tooth preparation, when decay must be removed and the tooth shaped to receive the crown. Afterwards, you may feel some sensitivity in the area, but this is temporary and should disappear after several days. Typically, over-the-counter pain relievers will alleviate any minor pain.

If you have any missing teeth, a bridge can fill those gaps. This would be a good idea, because leaving the gap will cause neighboring teeth to move and fill it. That can put them out of alignment and impair your bite. If you have tooth decay, don't wait until it spreads to the gums or bone. Give us a call today, or send us an email, and we'll set you up with a free consultation. Dr. Hale will assess your dental status and recommend some good options for you.