Dental crowns and bridges are all-porcelain or all-gold restorations that protect damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be used to protect individual teeth, as part of a dental implant or as part of a dental bridge to replace multiple missing teeth. They are a great way to restore a beautiful, healthy, natural-looking smile.
If you struggle with missing or damaged teeth, contact The Smile Centre today by completing the form on this page or calling us to schedule a free initial consultation. If you live in the Sarasota area of Florida, contact our Palm Aire location online or at 941-351-4468. If you live in or around Florida, please contact us online. Our three convenient locations serve the Sarasota, and Bradenton area of Florida.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Sometimes referred to as “caps” because they cover and protect teeth, dental crowns provide increased stability and a new surface to weak and damaged teeth. Depending on your unique needs, one of our experienced dentists may recommend a dental crown to protect a tooth that is:.jpg)
- Suffering from failing fillings
- Decayed
- Oddly shaped
- Severely stained
- Severely worn
- Broken, cracked or chipped
- In need of protection after a root canal
Dental crowns are also placed on top of dental implants to replace a missing tooth or teeth.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Dental Crowns?
You may be a great candidate for dental crowns if you have the following:
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Large dental fillings
- Moderate to severe tooth decay
- Missing teeth
- Small or eroded teeth
In general, dental crowns are best for those who have significant tooth damage or just a couple of missing teeth. For those with minor tooth damage, bonding or veneers may suffice. However, if you are missing several teeth, you may benefit from a dental bridge instead.
Contraindications to Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are best for resolving tooth damage in patients with one or two missing teeth. Because of this, certain oral conditions may disqualify a patient from becoming an eligible candidate. These conditions can include:
- Bruxism
- Insufficient tooth size
- Severe periodontitis
- Three or more missing teeth in a row
- Severely misaligned teeth
- Oral infection
We recommend patients treat these oral conditions before beginning treatment using dental crowns or bridges. By scheduling a consultation at The Smile Centre, we are happy to recommend the right procedures you’ll need in order to ensure you can become a candidate for dental crowns and bridges.
The Kinds of Dental Crowns We Offer
In order to meet the diverse needs of our patients, we offer the following types of dental crowns:
- Porcelain crowns: Because it exhibits the same sheen and luster of natural dental enamel, porcelain crowns are the most attractive and natural-looking restorative option available today. Although dental porcelain is quite brittle on its own, it is remarkably hard and durable once it is bonded to your tooth.
- Gold crowns: Gold offers strength and stability. This type of crown rarely chips or breaks and may be appropriate for back teeth, where the force of chewing and biting are the greatest.
- Bruxzir crowns:
- Ceramic crowns:
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Crowns are generally expected to last between five and 10 years. Some last much longer. Our team will check your restorations during your routine dental appointments, and we'll let you know if there are any problems that would necessitate their replacement. Generally, there are three things that affect the lifespan of your dental crowns:
- The Material Chosen: Not all dental crowns are the same. If you are looking for a natural-looking crown that matches the color of your other teeth, you may want a porcelain or ceramic crown. However, these crowns only last about 10-15 years. If you are looking for something more durable, a gold crown can last up to 30 years.
- Your Oral Hygiene: Since crowns often cover an underlying tooth structure, you need to continue good oral hygiene practices such as brushing your teeth and flossing. Further tooth decay can cause your crowns to fall out prematurely.
- Your Oral Habits: Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can negatively affect the integrity of your teeth. In addition, eating too much hard candy or using your teeth to open packages can shorten the lifespan of your crowns.
At The Smile Centre, our experienced dentists will give you the detailed instructions on how to maintain your crowns depending on what material they are made out of.
Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns not only improve the appearance of your teeth, but they can also improve their function. Some pros of dental crowns are that they can correct misalignment, discoloration, worn-down fillings, and the structural integrity of dental implants, acting as a “support system” to keep the results from other dental procedures in place. The most common con of dental crowns is that they can increase tooth sensitivity in patients. However, because dental crowns are so durable and can last up to 20 years, this con is often outweighed by the many benefits of dental crowns.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that fills the gaps caused by missing teeth. It utilizes dental crowns to support a porcelain replacement tooth. The tooth crowns are placed over the teeth adjacent to the gap, thereby providing sturdy support of the replacement in between.
Dental bridges are typically recommended in order to:.jpg)
- Replace one or several missing teeth
- Restore an aesthetically pleasing smile
- Restore your ability to chew
- Restore your ability to speak well
- Restore a comfortable bite position
- Prevent other teeth from shifting or tilting into the space left by the missing tooth
A dental bridge can conceal a gap left by missing teeth but it cannot prevent the natural bone loss that accompanies a missing tooth. Only dental implants can replace a tooth and effectively address bone loss. If you are missing teeth, the dentists at The Smile Centre will explain your tooth-replacement options and help you choose the right restoration for your expectations.
Why You Should Replace Your Missing Teeth With A Dental Bridge
It’s tempting to put off replacing a missing tooth, particularly if it’s a molar that isn’t readily visible. But that’s a bad idea for a variety of reasons. First, teeth stay put due to the pressure placed on them by neighboring teeth. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth tend to slide over into the gap. This creates alignment and bite problems.
How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
With regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene, a dental bridge can last around 10-15 years. Much like crowns, the durability of your bridge will depend on the materials used to construct it. For example, bridges with metal crowns tend to last longer than porcelain or ceramic.
Pros and Cons of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a great treatment option for patients with missing teeth or looking to close gaps in their teeth. In comparison to dental implants, a few pros of dental bridges are that they typically cost less, require less procedure time, and can eliminate the need for dentures. A few cons of dental bridges are that they require dental crowns to be put over surrounding, healthy teeth in order for them to remain in place and may not last as long as dental implants. However, because each patient has different needs and smile goals, it’s best to consult with your dentist about whether dental bridges can benefit you more than other procedures.
Will My Dental Bridges Look Natural?
Yes! A very common misconception about dental bridges is that they won’t look natural. However, most dental bridges look just like a patient’s natural tooth. Because each dental bridge also utilizes a dental crown, which is tooth-colored and similar in size and shape to the patient’s natural tooth, most dental bridges and crown procedures will result in an improved, natural-looking smile.
Is There Any Preparation Necessary for a Crown or Bridge Procedure?
There isn’t anything you need to do to prepare for having these appliances placed on your teeth.
Is It Painful To Get A Dental Crown Or A Bridge Placed?
These are not painful procedures. To prepare a tooth for a crown, whether it is a single tooth or whether for the two crowns anchoring a bridge, Dr. Stanley or Dr. Rocha will need to shave down the tooth on all sides and on the top. This is necessary to make room for the crown to fit over the natural tooth without taking up more space than the original tooth did. Prior to this process, we apply local anesthetic, so you don’t feel anything. Afterwards you won’t have any residual soreness or pain.
Potential Risks With The Crowns Or Bridges Procedures
There isn’t much risk to having our experienced dentists at The Smile Centre place a crown or a bridge. There aren’t any incisions that can become infected. Crowns and bridges with their anchoring crowns simply cover over the top of the existing natural teeth involved.
While not a risk, per se, the only potential problem with these appliances is if your home hygiene is lax. This can allow the underlying natural tooth to develop decay. But this is rare if you simply provide good home hygiene.
Will There Be Recovery After I Receive A Crown or A Bridge?
There isn’t any downtime or recovery; you can use your new crowned tooth or your bridge immediately.
How To Care For Your Dental Crowns
Crowns don’t require any special care; you simply brush twice daily for two minutes and floss once. When flossing you want to take a quick extra step for your crown.
When flossing the crowned tooth, you will move the floss under the crown lightly on both sides to clean the gum surface and remove any food particles that may have gotten under the crown bottom. This takes just a few seconds.
How To Care For Your Dental Bridges
Cleaning the two crowns and the artificial porcelain teeth in between doesn’t require any special care, just normal brushing and flossing on the outside of the two crowns (and, of course, the rest of your teeth).
It is important to also clean under the bridge to make sure the surface of your gums remains healthy. This can be done with a floss threader, which can be threaded under the bridge.
You can also use an interdental brush, which can slide under the bridge to remove food particles and plaque. An oral irrigator, such as the Waterpik, can be used, as well. The goal of any of these methods is to remove any food debris, plaque, and bacteria on the gums under your bridge.
How Much Do Dental Crowns or Dental Bridges Cost?
As for cost, you should first check your dental insurance policy for coverage. Call our office to find out if we currently accept your policy. The exact cost varies depending on the circumstances, including how many teeth are being treated and the material used. We will make sure you have a clear, accurate estimate when you visit us for a consultation, and that we discuss your payment and financing options.
Are There Food Restrictions With Dental Bridges Or Dental Crowns?
You can use your new bridge immediately after leaving our Smile Centre offices, but it’s wise for the first day to avoid chewing anything really tough with your new crown or bridge. This is simply to ensure the cement fully hardens and cures. After that first day, there aren’t any restrictions other than maybe common-sense choices.
You can break a bridge, and you can pull off a bridge. So, you should consider at least not chewing overly hard or chewy foods on the teeth with your new bridge. That’s not a requirement, but just some advice to get the longest lifespan out of your prosthetic.
There aren’t any restrictions with a crown, although eating something really sticky, such as a caramel apple at the Sarasota County Fair can pull off a crown. This is unusual. Fortunately, the crown can be cemented back onto the tooth.
How Can I Care For My Dental Crowns Or Bridges To Help Them Last?
There are a few ways you can take care of your crowns or bridges so they last longer. First, make sure to brush your teeth and floss at least twice per day. Make sure to get any chunks of food stuck underneath your bridge or crown. Second, schedule a visit with one of our dentists every 3-6 months. They can check your crowns or bridges to make sure they are secure and ensure that you are in good oral health. Finally, if you have issues with bruxism, our dentists can provide you with a mouthguard to wear while you sleep, preventing further damage to your teeth.
Hear What Our Patients Have to Say!
"I just had my second visit to see Dr. Alter and the entire experience was fantastic once again! The staff is incredible, super friendly and engaging... they listen to patients! I felt no pain or discomfort during the repair and I'm very happy with the results, my teeth look like a million bucks! Thank you Dr. Alter and the entire staff!" — Jennifer V.
"I personally love the Smile Centre! I’ve never really liked the dentist but when I started coming here, I found the place where I trust people to give me the best care. The Smile Centre is clearly a second home to everyone here. The workers are nothing else then the best. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else." — Kaitlyn S.
"Every person was an excellent listener and never made me feel like they were in a rush. Dr. Stanley was kind and caring, made you feel comfortable to discuss any concerns and spent time to make sure you understood your care. Hygenist, Linda, kind and caring. Did a wonderful job teaching while providing cleaning. Awesome Dr. and staff!" — Cheryl T.
Schedule Your Dental Crown or Dental Bridge Consultation Today
If you live in Sarasota, Bradenton, Florida and want to find out if a dental crown or bridge is right for you, call The Smile Centre today to schedule an initial consultation. If you live in the Sarasota area of Florida, contact our Palm Aire location online or at 941-351-4468. If you live in or around Florida, please contact us online.