Porcelain Crowns & Bridges
Ridgeway DentalWhen a tooth is damaged, repairs to the biting surface and surrounding dentin require us to duplicate your original tooth with an artificial “cap” or crown. For years, a variety of metals were used to form a new tooth surface. Today, we can create a new crown that looks very nearly as good as your original tooth…and wears even better!
Reasons a porcelain crown may be needed:
- To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth left
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth
- To cover a dental implant
- To make a cosmetic modification
We also create dental bridges for people who have one or more missing permanent teeth. Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth, and a false tooth or numermous teeth are placed in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or can also be supported by dental implants.
The advantages to having a bridge:
- Help restore your smile to it’s original beauty
- Help your ability to chew and speak a lot easier
- Maintain the original shape of the face
- Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
