Concord Dentist Offers Dental Crowns and Bridges

Concord Advanced Dentistry offers a number of dental services, including dental crowns and bridges, to help our patients look and feel their best. While dental crowns and bridges might seem similar at first, they are different in many ways. Our Concord dentist can help you determine which restorative procedure is the better treatment for your smile.

Both dental crowns and bridges are permanent solutions to dental problems, in that you cannot take them out as you do dentures. Furthermore, both dental crowns and bridges look and function like your natural teeth. Aside from those similarities, dental crowns and bridges are quite different.

Concord Dentist Discusses Dental Crowns

Teeth have two main components: the roots and the crown. Hidden below the gum line, the roots hold the teeth firmly in place in the jaw. The crown is the part of the tooth appearing above the gum line. Crowns are responsible for chewing, and are visible when you smile or talk. Because they are above the gum line, crowns are vulnerable to damage and decay, which can prevent them from functioning well or looking their best. Damage and decay can also cause significant pain. In such cases, your dental team in Concord may suggest replacing the teeth with crowns.

A crown fits like a cap over a damaged tooth that still has a root situated in the jaw. Your dentist may recommend a crown if you have such a large cavity that there will not be much of the crown remaining after filling the tooth. Your dental team may also recommend a crown if your tooth is weak and likely to fracture in the future.

Dental crowns can also repair a broken or shattered tooth, or one that is flawed or misshapen. Dentists will place a crown after performing a root canal, which is a tooth-saving procedure that involves removing the center portion of the tooth root. Dentists might also use crowns to serve as support structures for dental bridges.

At Concord Advanced Dentistry, we use durable and long-lasting CEREC crowns, so they hold up to the rigors of biting and chewing. CEREC crowns are often available the same day! Next, we shape and color the crowns to match the surrounding teeth, so that the crown looks perfectly natural.

Dentist in Concord Discusses Dental Bridges

Your dentist may recommend a bridge to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A missing tooth is more than just a cosmetic problem – the extra space created by missing teeth gives your remaining teeth room to move and shift out of place, which can cause further dental problems. The remaining teeth may be at higher risk for damage and wear, for example, and can even lead to jaw problems. Missing teeth also look unsightly. Filling the space with a dental bridge keeps teeth from shifting.

Dental bridges resemble the crown of a tooth, but as their name suggests, they bridge the gap between teeth rather than sitting on top of a tooth. Your dentist can attach the ends of the bridge to your natural teeth, or affix them to crowns fitted over your natural teeth.

To find out if dental crowns or bridges are the right solution for your dental needs, contact our Concord Advanced Dentistry office to schedule a visit. Our dental team is always there to help perfect your smile!