Maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile is essential for both your oral health and overall confidence. If you’re dealing with damaged or missing teeth, dental crowns and bridges might be the perfect solutions for you. At Mountain Aire Dentistry, we are committed to providing our patients with high-quality dental care, and we’re here to explain how crowns and bridges can enhance your dental health.

What are Dental Crowns and Bridges?

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged or decayed tooth. Crowns can restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. They are often used for:

• Protecting a weakened tooth from breaking
• Restoring a broken or severely worn-down tooth
• Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling
• Holding a dental bridge in place
• Covering misshapen or severely discolored teeth
• Covering a dental implant

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is used to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. It consists of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth/teeth in between. Bridges can:

• Restore your smile
• Restore the ability to chew and speak properly
• Maintain the shape of your face
• Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

Benefits of Dental Crowns and Bridges

1. Improved Oral Function

Both crowns and bridges can significantly enhance your ability to chew and speak properly. Damaged or missing teeth can make eating and speaking difficult, but with the right dental restoration, you can regain full functionality.

2. Enhanced Appearance

Crowns and bridges are designed to look like your natural teeth. They can improve the appearance of your smile by covering damaged teeth or filling gaps, giving you a more uniform and attractive look.

3. Long-Lasting Durability

With proper care, crowns and bridges can last many years, providing a durable solution to your dental issues. They are made from strong, high-quality materials that can withstand the pressures of daily use.

4. Preservation of Oral Health

By covering and protecting damaged teeth, crowns can prevent further decay or damage. Bridges prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position, maintaining the alignment of your teeth and overall oral health.

Are You a Candidate for Crowns and Bridges?

Dental Crowns

You might be a good candidate for a dental crown if you have:

• A tooth that is cracked or broken
• Severe tooth decay that cannot be fixed with a filling
• A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy
• A discolored or misshapen tooth
• A dental implant that needs to be covered

Dental Bridges

You might be a good candidate for a dental bridge if you have:

• One or more missing teeth
• Healthy teeth on either side of the gap to support the bridge
• Good overall oral health

The Process of Getting Crowns and Bridges

Consultation and Examination

At Mountain Aire Dentistry, we start with a comprehensive consultation and examination to determine the best treatment plan for you. We’ll take X-rays and impressions of your teeth to ensure a precise fit for your crown or bridge.

Preparation

For crowns, the damaged tooth is shaped to allow room for the crown. For bridges, the adjacent teeth are prepared to hold the crowns that will support the bridge.

Impressions

We take impressions of your teeth to create a custom-fit crown or bridge. These impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where your restoration is crafted.

Temporary Restoration

While your permanent crown or bridge is being made, we’ll place a temporary restoration to protect your teeth.

Placement

Once your permanent crown or bridge is ready, we’ll schedule a final appointment to place and adjust it for a perfect fit.

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry 

Dental crowns and bridges offer effective solutions for restoring damaged or missing teeth, improving both function and aesthetics. At Mountain Aire Dentistry, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. If you think dental crowns or bridges might be right for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you regain your confidence and maintain optimal oral health.

Your journey to a brighter smile starts here at Mountain Aire Dentistry. We’re here to guide you every step of the way!