Dental Crown and Bridge in Vero Beach, FL
For most of us, dental decay and damage are unavoidable parts of life. It can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you do everything in your power to keep them at bay.
Nevertheless, trying to maintain the health and longevity of our teeth is essential. Not only are our teeth responsible for helping us eat and speak, but unhealthy teeth have been linked to various medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.
When you attend your regularly scheduled dental appointments, we’ll give your mouth a thorough examination. This allows your dentist to assess the health and condition of your teeth. They can also spot anything that may look like a potential dental problem early before it develops into something much more complex and expensive to treat.
Our experienced and knowledgeable team at Vero Dental Spa can offer comprehensive dental crown and bridge services – two of the most common restorative treatments for minor to moderate dental damage or decay.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that sit over the top of teeth that are badly damaged or decayed. When they are in place, they restore the affected tooth’s strength, appearance, and functionality. Crowns can also form the visible part of the tooth in dental implants or secure a dental bridge in place.
We will normally recommend a dental crown if:
- You require a filling larger than your tooth can support
- You have a fractured tooth
- You have a tooth that is weak and at risk of breaking
- Your tooth is severely eroded or misshapen
- Your tooth is discolored due to trauma
- If you have several missing teeth in the same arch, you will almost certainly be referred for a dental bridge
Fitting a crown requires two visits to our offices. During the first, we’ll file down the affected tooth for the crown to fit perfectly over the top – if it’s not big enough to support the crown, we’ll build it up. Then, we’ll take molds and images of your teeth to help in creating the custom-fit crown. We’ll give you a temporary one until the final crown is ready. During your second visit, we’ll remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one.
Crowns can be made from various materials, including metal, porcelain fused to metal, and 100% ceramic. Many patients choose porcelain varieties, as these can be color-matched to your existing teeth, making them discreet and functional.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are most recommended when a patient has several missing teeth. Gaps in your smile can pose a significant risk to your dental health. Not only can your teeth shift position, but spaces are more likely to trap disease-causing bacteria. You may also experience problems with your bite.
The function of a bridge is to span the gap, filling it with crowns that look and function like your natural teeth. Bridges are secured by anchoring to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. These teeth (known as abutments) must be strong and healthy to secure the bridge. If they’re too weak or weaken over time, your dentist may suggest an alternative such as dental implants.
We are committed to providing outstanding restorative dental services to our patients. If you would like to find out more about dental bridges, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, call our office today!
