subject: Dental Bridges And Crowns Can Restore Your Smile [print this page] Chances are, at some point in your life you will find yourself in a situation where you are in need of a dental restoration. In situations like these, it is important to remember that your dentist has the tools and capability to fully restore your smile. Some of the most popular methods for doing so are through the use of dental crowns and dental bridges. If you think you are in need of a dental restoration, do not hesitate to talk to your Appleton dentist about dental crowns or bridges.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is directly installed on top of a tooth to improve its size, strength, shape and/or appearance. To put a crown in, your dentist will first anesthetize the area and then reduce the size of your tooth. This will make enough room for your crown to fit in your mouth comfortably. After this, your dentist will take an impression of the area in order to create a crown that will fit in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. The impression will then be sent to a dental lab, where it will generally take between two and three weeks for your permanent crown to be created. In between appointments, your dentist will provide you with a temporary crown to wear.
Once your permanent crown arrives from the dental lab, your dentist will do a final check to make sure the fit and coloring are correct. If they are, he or she will use a special cement to permanently attach the crown to your teeth. Once a crown is put in, it will both look and function like any of your normal teeth.
Dental Bridges
While a dental crown is used to restore a broken or chipped tooth, a dental bridge is utilized to fully replace a lost tooth. A bridge is an artificial tooth that is held in place on either side by dental crowns. To put a bridge in, your dentist will begin by anesthetizing the area and reducing the two teeth that will receive dental crowns. After this, he or she will take an impression of the area. Just like in a crown procedure, your dentist will provide you with a temporary bridge to wear in between appointments. Once your permanent bridge arrives, your dentist will do one last check to make sure it fits properly. If everything is acceptable, he will cement the bridge into place, completing the procedure. You will then be free to walk out of the office and start enjoying your fully restored smile.
To learn more about dental crowns or bridges or to schedule an appointment, contact your dentist in Appleton as soon as you can.
