subject: Restoring Your Smile With Crowns And Bridges In Asheville [print this page] When a tooth has sustained considerable damage as the result of an accident or dental decay, often, the best way to protect and restore the natural tooth is with a crown. If the damage is too severe for the tooth to be restored, a fixed bridge is often the preferred method of restoration.
Crowns
Crowns or caps, both names are used in reference to the same dental restoration, although cap is a more descriptive term. Frequently fabricated out of porcelain, they are a tooth shaped cap that goes over the remaining structure to protect and restore the tooth.
The restoration process The first step is for your dentist to examine the tooth and ensure that it can be restored. Once it is determined that you are a good candidate for a cap, all of the damaged portion of the tooth will be removed. Next, the tooth will then be reshaped to accommodate the cap. Impressions of both the upper and lower arches of teeth will be taken. This ensures that when the restoration is complete the cap will properly mesh with your other teeth. Once this is done, your dentist will place a temporary crown, to protect the tooth while the dental lab is fabricating the permanent restoration. This normally takes about two weeks. Once it is ready, your second appointment will be scheduled to complete the restoration process.
Bridges
When a tooth has suffered too much damage to be restored, it must be extracted. Bridges are a popular option when restoring a missing tooth. They prevent other teeth from shifting and restore the aesthetics of your smile. A fixed dental bridge consists of one or more prosthetic teeth that are attached to crowns. These will be placed on the teeth on each side of the gap.
The restoration process Once the tooth has been extracted and the gums have healed, the restoration process can begin. The teeth that border the gap will be prepared for caps and then impressions will be taken and a temporary restoration will be placed. This will protect the prepared teeth and gums. It normally takes about two weeks for the dental lab to create the restoration, but the timetable varies, your Asheville dentist can give you a more accurate time estimate. Once your dentist has received your bridge, your final appointment will be scheduled to complete the restoration.
CEREC
This technology allows dentists to create porcelain restorations in their office in about 15 minutes. After your teeth are prepared, digital images are taken of your mouth, rather than impressions. The CEREC machine uses these images to create your porcelain restoration. It can then be placed on your tooth the same day, saving you a second trip to the dentist and having to contend with a fragile temporary for a few weeks.
If you have a tooth that needs restoring or replacing, call your dentist today. The longer the problem goes untreated the worse it gets.
