Questions About Dental Crowns
& Dental Bridges
Cosmetic Dentistry Directory
Why would I need a crown?
Crowns restore teeth damaged by decay or trauma, or weakened by a very large filling. They prolong the life of those teeth and make extraction unnecessary. They can also help hold a denture or bridge in place.
How do crowns hold a bridge in place?
A traditional bridge consists of an artificial tooth replacing the missing one, and crowns on the two neighboring teeth. Metal bands behind the teeth connect the two crowns to the artificial tooth and hold it in place. The downside of this arrangement is that those neighboring teeth must be reduced a little in size, to make room for the crowns. So healthy tooth tissue is removed. A cantilever bridge works much the same way as a traditional bridge, and is used when the gap left by the missing tooth has teeth on only one side. Then two teeth on that side are crowned and the artificial tooth is supported like a cantilevered balcony.
Why should I choose porcelain crowns over metal alternatives?
Choose porcelain crowns if you want to improve the overall appearance of your teeth and have a natural, sparkling smile. The porcelain will have a white shine similar to your natural teeth, whereas a metal allow will announce to all that you've had dental work done.
Will a crown be noticeable?
Not if you elect to have a porcelain crown. An experienced cosmetic dentist can make a porcelain crown exactly match the rest of your teeth so that it will blend right in among its neighbors. Some porcelain crowns have a metal lining. At first that doesn't matter because it can't be seen. But as we age, our gums slowly shrink and recede. This will expose the edge of the metal lining, and it will look like a black line at the gumline. An all-porcelain crown has a porcelain lining, which may also become slightly visible, except that it's porcelain, and matches your teeth.
Will the placement of a crown or bridge hurt?
No. An experienced cosmetic dentist will ensure that your experience is comfortable and pain-free. The crown or bridge area will be thoroughly numbed, and, if necessary, you can speak with your dentist about sedation dentistry. Most cosmetic dentists offer several forms of sedation dentistry for people who for whatever reason are extra anxious about dental visits.
