Crowns And Bridges Specialist

What are crowns and bridges?

Dental crowns and bridges are prosthetic devices that your dentist at Silver Lake Dentistry uses to improve both the appearance and the function of your teeth. A crown acts as a cap that covers a single tooth — or implant — while a bridge replaces the gap left by one or more missing teeth.

What are crowns made of?

A crown is usually made from gold or porcelain. Porcelain crowns can be made to match existing teeth, and gold crowns are commonly used for teeth in the back of your mouth that don’t show when you smile. Gold crowns are known to wear better and last longer. Your dentist at Silver Lake Dentistry may need to make a crown to:

• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Attach a bridge
• Replace a large filling
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Cover a tooth after root canal
• Cover a dental implant

When would I need a bridge?

You might need a dental bridge when you have one or more missing teeth. Losing a single tooth can create a domino effect where the teeth on both sides of the gap become weaker and at risk for shifting without the support of the missing tooth. This can create an improper bite which puts added stress on the tooth and can cause more shifting, which might eventually lead to another lost tooth.

From an aesthetic perspective, bridges can complete your smile again. They can be made to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth and protect them at the same time.

How long do crowns and bridges last?

With proper care, crowns and bridges can last anywhere from 10-15 years, but many people have crowns for decades. As they age, a crown or bridge may become loose and even fall off. When this happens your dentist at Silver Lake Dentistry cleans up the support teeth and re-affixes them.

In some cases, a bridge or crown might come off due to decay that has gotten under the appliance.

There are also instances where decay gets through holes in a crown or bridge due to normal wear-and-tear. If you don’t catch the decay soon enough and therefore your dentist is unable to rebuild the support tooth, you may need a new crown or bridge made.

Crowns and bridges will last their longest with proper dental care and regular checkups.

To help keep crowns and bridges in good shape, avoid chewing on hard objects and hard foods, and if you grind your teeth, make sure you get a night guard to protect your crowns and your natural teeth.

For expert crown and bridges services, call Silver Lake Dentistry at their Raymore office.