In his Buffalo area office, Dentist Larry Evola uses dental crowns and bridges to correct missing teeth, bite dysfunction, and functional or structural problems. A dental crown, or cap, may be constructed to restore an individual damaged tooth back to its original form and function, while a bridge may be used to replace one or more teeth. Prostheses such as these are available in porcelain or gold.
What Are Dental Crowns?
When tooth decay requires treatment beyond the scope of fillings, a dental crown or cap is usually the answer. It's a covering to replace the part of your tooth above the gum line.
Crowns are necessary when teeth are broken down due to decay, fracture, or bite problems or when they just need to look better. They can be placed on the decayed tooth's natural root, if it's still healthy, or on an implanted artificial root.
Dental Crowns can be used to: restore a fractured tooth, cover badly shaped or discolored teeth, protect weak teeth and/or attach a bridge.
How Is The Dental Crown Procedure Performed?
- During your first visit:
- The tooth to be repaired is prepared by removing all decay and damage.
- Dr. Evola will take an impression of the tooth and send that impression, or mold, to the dental lab where your crown will be custom-made.
- While you wait for the permanent dental crown to be made, you can have a temporary crown to cover that tooth, protecting it and giving you a better chewing surface.
- In your second visit, approximately two weeks after the first:
- Dr. Evola will attach the crown temporarily and have you bite down, to test the crown's shape.
- If necessary, he'll do some fine-tuning, until your teeth meet in a correct and comfortable way.
- When both you and he are satisfied with the fit, Dr. Evola will use dental cement to permanently attach the crown, and it becomes your new tooth.
What Is A Dental Bridge?
When single or multiple teeth are missing, Dr. Evola may recommend a dental bridge. A bridge is a replacement tooth or teeth anchored by teeth on each side of the missing one. The anchor teeth require crowns to support the bridge.
What Other Problems Can Be Caused By Missing Teeth?
Not only are missing teeth visually unappealing, but they can cause further dental problems, and even affect your overall health. Here are a few of the problems caused by gaps from missing teeth:
- Your remaining teeth can start migrating to fill the gap. This puts them out of proper alignment, which can badly affect your bite.
- Teeth out of alignment will wear more quickly.
- A gap left long enough will cause the nearby bone to deteriorate.
- A shrinking jawbone will change the shape of your face and cause you to age more quickly than you normally would.
How Does The Dental Bridge Procedure Work?
Like the dental crown procedure described earlier, dental bridges can be created and attached in two visits to our office.
- At your first appointment:
- Dr. Evola will prepare the anchor teeth to have crowns placed on them.
- He will take an impression of not just the anchor teeth, but the space where the bridge will be as well.
- He will send the mold to the dental lab, where it will take two weeks to create the crowns and bridge.
- While you're waiting for the dental lab to complete their work, Dr. Evola will fit you with a temporary bridge.
- During your second appointment:
- Dr. Evola will fit the crowns, with the false tooth or teeth suspended between them, and do any necessary adjustments before cementing the crowns.
Is the Dental Crowns and Bridges Procedures Painful?
Tooth preparation for dental crowns and dental bridges is performed with topical anesthetic. Their placement is no more painful than a dental filling. However, if you feel uncomfortable with the process, Dr. Evola would be happy to discuss the safe and comfortable sedation options offered at our Depew office.
What Is Recovery Like After the Procedures Are Performed?
There is no recovery period following bridge or crown placement. Your restorations are designed to both look and function like your natural teeth and will be “ready for use” as soon as you leave our office.
There may be some residual soreness from the administration of topical anesthetic, but this should fade within a day. If you have undergone sedation outside of nitrous oxide, you will need to arrange for a ride home to help ensure you do not drive until the effects have worn off.
Are There Any Risks Involved With Dental Crowns and Bridges?
Crowns and bridges are restorative treatments designed either to replace missing teeth or to protect teeth that have been weakened by trauma and decay. At Forestream Dental, we utilize safe, nontoxic materials such as porcelain for our restorations to help ensure optimal patient safety.
How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?
With proper care, dental crowns can be expected to last for 15 or more years. Bridges can be expected to last for ten. If you are looking for a more permanent solution for missing teeth, Dr. Evola would be happy to discuss dental implants as an alternative to bridges.
What Happens if My Crown or Bridge Ends up Breaking?
Dental crowns and bridges can be replaced. When a crown breaks or a bridge fails, you can call our office to schedule an appointment and have new ones manufactured. During your routine visits for cleanings and examinations, we will inspect your crowns and bridges for any weaknesses and make recommendations for replacement if vulnerabilities are detected. In this way, we can proactively address minor problems before they become serious issues
How Should I Take Care Of My Crowns and Bridges?
You will care for your crowns and bridges the same way you care for your natural teeth:
- Brush after every meal and snack
- Floss at least once daily
- Visit our office every six months for professional cleanings and examinations
You will want to avoid abrasive toothpaste, such as those with baking soda or charcoal. These can scratch and damage restorations. You may also want to avoid astringent mouthwash as some of these can weaken the bonding used to secure crowns. We will provide you with specific instructions based on your needs to help ensure your restorations last as long as possible.
Will My Crowns and Bridges Look and Feel Different From My Other Teeth?
We offer life-like restorations that are custom-made to look, feel, and function exactly like the teeth they are replacing. Dr. Evola is a graduate of the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and has decades of experience creating natural-looking dental crowns and bridges that feel just like adjacent teeth.
Ready to Take The Next Step? Contact Us.
If you have teeth that are decayed or damaged beyond what a filling can fix or have missing teeth that require a bridge, you need to call or email Forestream Dental today. Dr. Evola and his staff have experience in this type of restorative dentistry and can make your smile look beautiful and natural again in a short period of time.
If you're not quite ready to schedule an appointment for dental work, you can take advantage of a complimentary consultation with Dr. Evola to have all your dental crown or bridge questions and concerns answered. Contact our cosmetic surgeon if you are in the Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster, or Williamsville, New York area.
