Crowns and Bridges Q & A

What are dental crowns and bridges?

Dental crown and bridge procedures are among the most common treatments for restoring damaged or missing teeth. While they’re similar, crowns and bridges have some fundamental differences:

Crowns

Dental crowns sit over your existing tooth, covering the visible surface. Your provider uses crowns to restore teeth that have extensive damage above the gum line but maintain a healthy root.

Bridges

As the name suggests, bridges span a gap left by a missing tooth. They use two dental crowns, one on each neighboring tooth, and an artificial tooth to fill the space between them. 

When would I need a crown?

The providers at Michael S. Yung DDS often use dental crowns to finish a root canal treatment or treat a decayed tooth that doesn’t have enough healthy tissue to endure a filling. He may also recommend a crown to:

• Protect a weak tooth that may otherwise break
• Replace a large filling that falls out
• Prevent a broken or cracked tooth from further damage
• Cover discolored or worn teeth
• Anchor a bridge

Crowns are an ideal solution to enhance the natural strength and structure of your existing tooth. 

What are the benefits of a dental bridge?

It’s important to replace missing teeth to maintain good oral health and a natural-looking smile. If you’re not a candidate for dental implants, a bridge is a good, cost-effective alternative.

Bridges offer the following benefits:

• Preventing teeth from shifting
• Maintaining proper bite alignment
• Preventing jaw bone deterioration
• Preserving a healthy smile

With the help of a bridge you can preserve your oral health and the youthful aesthetic of your face. 

What should I expect from a same-day crown or bridge procedure?

The days of waiting several weeks for your crown or bridge are over. At Michael S. Yung DDS, their providers offer same-day crowns and bridges with high-quality E4D tooth restorations.

Using high-tech 3D imaging software, your provider takes a digital impression of your teeth. They use this information to create a customized dental restoration plan with the E4D machine. Then, they send the plan to the precise in-office milling system, which fabricates your new crown.

There’s no need to send physical impressions to a lab and return to the office at a later time. After making final adjustments, your provider permanently places your crown or bridge, and you’re on your way. To learn more about same-day crowns and bridges, call Michael S. Yung DDS or book an appointment online.