Westchester Dental Crown
A crown (also referred to as a cap) is a dental restoration that fits over the natural tooth to strengthen and protect it. Dental crowns are used to restore a tooth to its full function when a filling or other restoration is not an option. Porcelain is a popular material because its reflective qualities closely resemble natural tooth enamel and will beautifully enhance your smile.
Why do I need a dental crown?
The Westchester dental crown dentist knows that your oral health is closely linked to your general health. Our approach to dentistry includes the preservation of as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Dental crowns protect underlying natural tooth structure while dealing with a number of dental and cosmetic issues:
- Broken or cracked teeth
- Severely decayed teeth
- Broken fillings
- Large, unsightly fillings
- Protection for a tooth after root canal therapy
What does getting a crown involve?
Placing a dental crown usually requires two appointments. At the first appointment the Westchester dental crown dentist takes impressions of your teeth and uses these to create both your temporary and permanent crowns.
We then remove any decay that is present and carefully reshape the surface of your natural tooth to ensure that the crown fits perfectly. The temporary crown is then placed, and we check to make sure that you are biting properly with the temporary in place. You will wear the temporary crown for about two weeks.
During your second appointment we remove the temporary Westchester dental crown. Your natural tooth will be carefully cleaned again, and the new crown will be cemented permanently in place. We provide you with instructions for care of your new crown, and you will leave our office with a beautiful, healthy smile.
Dental Bridges Make Your Smile Whole and Healthy
A dental bridge is an important dental restoration that preserves the health and beauty of your smile when one or more teeth are missing. You may hear this referred to as a “fixed bridge” because it is permanently affixed to your teeth.
The traditional bridge usually spans several teeth and it is composed of crowns that attach to neighboring teeth (abutment teeth). The unit also includes an artificial tooth (pontic) that fills the space created by your missing tooth.
Why is a fixed bridge important?
The gap left by a missing tooth can seriously impact your oral health. Whether you realize it or not, your teeth are constantly shifting. This movement can cause a number of problems, but a fixed bridge acts as a replacement and will virtually eliminate more complicated problems from developing:
- Fills the space of missing teeth
- Acts as a placeholder and prevents surrounding teeth from drifting into the space
- Restores your ability to chew normally
- Restores and beautifies your smile
What does getting a fixed bridge involve?
Placement of a fixed bridge normally requires at least two appointments. First, the two anchoring teeth will be altered slightly to ensure that the crowns fit perfectly. Next, we will take impressions of your teeth, and these will be used to fabricate the permanent fixed bridge. We will also create a temporary bridge that you will wear for several weeks while the permanent bridge is custom-crafted at a dental laboratory.
When you return to the Westchester dental crowns dentist for your second visit, the new permanent bridge will be adjusted for comfort and to create a perfect bite. The final step is to cement the bridge permanently in place.
Before you leave our office we will give you specific care instructions for your new bridge. Even though your new bridge is very durable and considered to be permanent, it’s important to remember that it is a dental appliance. Good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings will go a long way towards ensuring many years of use.
