Crowns and Bridges

What are crowns?

Dental crowns are caps for individual teeth designed to look identical to your natural teeth. Dr. Stein makes sure they fit perfectly and that they match the color of the rest of your smile.

Crowns elevate the aesthetics of your smile and can:

• Restore cracked or chipped teeth
• Hold broken teeth together
• Support teeth with fillings
• Support dental bridges
• Replace teeth (attached to dental implants)
• Improve the shape of misshapen teeth

If you have a crown for a weak tooth, broken tooth, or tooth prone to damage, the crown lets you chew confidently. It improves the tooth’s structural integrity and adds strength so you can bite down with normal force without fear of breaking the tooth. 

What are bridges?

Bridges use dental crowns for support. A bridge becomes a permanent fixture in your smile and includes one or two crowns as well as one or two pontics — a pontic is a false tooth that replaces a missing tooth. The crowns anchor the pontics in place to fill a gap left by missing teeth. 

High-quality bridges from Dr. Stein at Stein Dental Care offer these benefits:

• Restored appearance
• Restored functionality
• Prevention of a bad bite due to tooth shifting
• Improved face and lip shape
• Easier biting and chewing

Because bridges contain crowns, the processes of getting crowns and bridges share much in common. With both devices, Dr. Stein pays extra attention to detail so you get a device that fits securely and looks very natural and pristine. 

What should I expect while getting crowns or bridges?

Both bridges and crowns require at least two visits to Stein Dental Care. During the initial visit, Dr. Stein thoroughly examines your teeth for weaknesses or vulnerabilities. 

If you’re getting a bridge, Dr. Stein chooses which type will be best depending on the missing tooth’s location in your mouth. The bridge can use either one crown or two or rely on a metal framework for support instead. 

After your examination, Dr. Stein prepares your teeth for crowns by removing part of the outermost layer called enamel. That makes room for the crowns. 

He then takes a mold of the tooth to use in making the crown so that it fits perfectly and places a temporary crown over the tooth to protect it before your permanent crown or bridge is ready.

On a second visit, your permanent crown or bridge is ready for placement. Dr. Stein checks its fit after removing the temporary device. Using dental adhesives and a curing light, Dr. Stein secures your crown or bridge in place. 

To schedule a consultation for a crown or bridge with Dr. Stein, call Stein Dental Care or book online today.