Durable and Natural-Looking Restorations
Damaged, decayed, or missing teeth can make it difficult to speak, chew, and smile with confidence. Patients deemed ineligible for dental implants may benefit from dental crowns or bridges. These restorations, while not permanent, are natural-looking and effective ways to restore your smile’s function and appearance.
At Luck Dental Clinic, Dr. Clemenson and our skilled dental team are dedicated to providing personalized care to every patient. Your restoration will be customized to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth for a seamless appearance. Read on to learn more about these restorations and which may be best for you.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over and around damaged or decayed teeth to restore their function and appearance. They may be made of metal, dental porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), or zirconia. Porcelain crowns are especially popular because they mimic the color and luster of natural teeth. During your consultation, Dr. Clemenson will recommend the type of crown best suited to your needs.
Who Can Benefit From Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns can be used for a variety of reasons. Dr. Clemenson will likely recommend crowns to patients with:
- Deep or widespread cavities
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Severely decayed or damaged teeth
- Teeth treated with root canal therapy
- Dark-colored stains that cannot be whitened
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are an ideal solution for patients missing several adjacent teeth. This restoration can bridge the gap created by missing teeth to restore your smile’s appearance and function.
Dental crowns are an essential component of bridges, as this restoration utilizes crowns as an anchor for the pontics, or fake teeth, that fill the gap. Bridges are attached to the natural teeth adjacent to your gap to support and stabilize the restoration.
Who Can Benefit From Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are an effective alternative to dental implants for patients who don’t qualify for the procedure. Dr. Clemenson may recommend bridges to patients with:
- One or more missing teeth
- Severe tooth decay
- Significant teeth gaps
Benefits of Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges come with several benefits that make them effective and reliable treatments, including:
- Natural appearance
- Quick and minimally invasive procedure
- Restores ability to eat and speak with comfort
- Preserves proper bite alignment
- Prevents surrounding teeth from shifting out of place
- Prevents health complications
Placing Your Dental Crown or Bridge
You can receive a dental crown or bridge in as few as two visits to our Luck dental office. The processes of placing these restorations are fairly similar.
Consultation and Placement Preparation
You’ll first have an initial consultation with Dr. Clemenson, where she’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your mouth to determine which treatment will be most effective. Once this is decided, she will begin planning your personalized treatment.
The first step in this process is for Dr. Clemenson to remove a small portion of the enamel to make room for the crown or bridgework. She’ll administer a local anesthetic beforehand to ensure you don’t feel any pain.
Dr. Clemenson will then take an impression of your teeth so a dental laboratory can create your customized restoration. We’ll also use a shade guide to capture the precise color of your natural tooth enamel so your restoration will blend seamlessly with your smile. Before you leave, you’ll receive a temporary restoration to protect your tooth while you wait for your restorations.
Placing Your Restoration
Once we receive your custom restorations, you’ll return to our Luck dental office for your final fitting. Dr. Clemenson will remove your temporary restoration before thoroughly cleaning your teeth.
She’ll then place your restoration, making any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable, functional, and natural-looking fit. After your crown or bridge is secured to your teeth, you can leave our Luck office with a beautiful, restored smile!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental crowns and bridges can typically last up to 15 years before needing to be replaced. To keep your restoration strong for years to come, it’s essential to practice proper oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing twice each day along with rinsing between meals.
You should also schedule biannual appointments to our Luck office for regular cleanings and exams. This will help keep both your restoration and oral health in good condition.
Receiving a crown or bridge is virtually painless. Before beginning the procedure, Dr. Clemenson will administer a local anesthetic to numb the targeted tooth and surrounding areas. A member of our dental team will monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure you’re comfortable.
Once the numbness fades, you may experience slight discomfort. This pain can be easily managed with over-the-counter medications. However, if the pain persists or becomes unbearable, it may be a sign of a complication.
If this occurs, Call our Luck office immediately at (715) 472-2211 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Clemenson. She’ll assess your situation and relieve any painful symptoms.
Dental bridges can replace up to four teeth.. At your initial consultation, Dr. Clemenson will determine if a bridge is right for you. If necessary, she’ll also discuss your other treatment options.