CROWNS AND BRIDGES

CROWNS

Dental Crown - Cosmetic Dentists in Terre Haute, IN

Crowns are basically “caps” that cover a tooth and bring it back to normal shape, size and function. It is used on a tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be repaired with a filling. They are most commonly done when a large filling wears out, after a root canal, when a large hole is created by a cavity, or when a tooth has fractured. Crowns are protective and prevent further damage, as well as making for a nice smile.

It typically takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first appointment, any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped for the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth that is used in fabricating the crown. During this time a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit this temporary is removed and the permanent crown is tried in, adjusted as needed and then cemented in place.

Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity that has to be treated, the more likely a crown will be needed.

Even after a filling is put in a large cavity, a tooth is more likely to break. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body. Teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. Crowns ride over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. A broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and much more difficult to treat. Crowns prevent this, as well as making for a nice smile.

At Smudde Family Dentistry, we offer Same Day ‘CEREC’ Crowns

What are CEREC Crowns?

CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. With CEREC Crowns, you can be in and out of the office the same day with your dental crowns.

CEREC Crowns are ceramic and are formed from a digital 3D scan of your tooth, no goupy/gummy impression needed. Computer technology and Dr. Gray then design your crown using CAD technology with precise accuracy. A machine then carves the crown out of a single ceramic block, taking only minutes, and it is then cemented onto your tooth for a custom fit. You can be in and out of the dentist within a couple hours.

What are the benefits of CEREC Crowns?

• Same day resolution! Only one appointment needed.

• Less time off work!

• Frustration free! Skip the dreaded gummy impression process all together with precise digital 3D scans of your mouth.

BRIDGES

This is an option for filling the space created by one or more missing teeth. It is formed to look like the missing tooth/teeth, and it takes its place in the mouth. The sides of a bridge use the two surrounding teeth for support, hence the name.

Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be all ceramic (often made with CEREC the Same Day, porcelain over metal, or alloy metal. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.

Ceramic Bridge - Cosmetic Dentists in Terre Haute, IN

It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated the teeth begin to shift inward toward the gap, creating a whole chain reaction of bad things.

Teeth use their neighbors for support, and, with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens the bite changes in response to the pressure. This can lead to spaces between your teeth, loss of teeth opposite the space and may result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the difficulty of treatment increasing as the tipping and movement continues.

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It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a whole chain reaction of bad things.

Teeth use their neighbors for support, and, with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens the bite changes in response to the pressure. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. The surrounding teeth deteriorate and it is just a matter of time before they, too, are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the difficulty of treatment increasing as the neglect continues.