Receiving a Crown or Bridge

Receiving a Crown or Bridge

Is your smile being held back by a dental problem? Here at Mehr Tucker, DDS, LLC in Rockville, MD, Dr. Mehr Tucker can solve various dental problems using crowns and bridges. Both are somewhat similar but they can tend to different dental needs or can be used together to resolve certain issues.

 

How Dental Crowns Work

A crown is a “cap” that is placed over a damaged tooth, encasing it entirely. It can be utilized to fortify and improve your tooth’s appearance. Dental crowns can come in a variety of materials such as ceramic, porcelain, acrylic, gold, and metal alloys. Dental crowns are extremely versatile and are commonly used to:

  • Protect a weakened tooth from further damage
  • Fix a fractured tooth
  • Replace a large filling
  • Conceal a severely stained or discolored tooth
  • Cover a malformed or irregularly-shaped tooth
  • Fasten a bridge into place
  • Reinforce a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment

 

How Dental Bridges Work

Tooth loss can contribute to your risk of developing an improper bite, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, or periodontal disease. If you are missing one or multiple teeth, a dental bridge could be a viable replacement solution.

A dental bridge consists of artificial replacement teeth that close the gap created by missing teeth. It is cemented onto your natural teeth or a crown that surrounds the unoccupied space. Those neighboring teeth, known as abutments, function as anchors for your bridge.

Similar to dental crowns, bridges are available in different materials. Your dentist will decide which material best fits your exact needs, based on particular factors.

 

What Happens During The Procedure

The treatment process you may undergo in our Rockville, MD, office for both dental crowns and bridges works similarly. The initial step is to prepare your teeth by reducing their size to accommodate the crown or bridge. In this step, local anesthesia is administered so you won’t experience any discomfort.

Next, a mold or impression of your teeth will be made by your dentist for the creation of your crown or bridge. This will be sent to a dental laboratory that will fabricate them. You and your dentist will also discuss the specific shade of your crown or bridge depending on the material that you want. For the last step of your first visit, you will be instructed to wear a temporary crown or bridge while waiting for your permanent one.

Once your permanent crown or bridge is ready, you will see your dentist for the second and final visit. Here, your temporary crown or bridge is removed and your permanent one is placed. Before cementing, your dentist might make some adjustments to ensure that it fits right.

 

Contact Us For More Details or Questions About Crowns and Bridges

Set an appointment here at Mehr Tucker, DDS, LLC in Rockville, MD, with Dr. Mehr Tucker, by calling (301) 963-8900.