Crowns/Bridges

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			Whether you have teeth that are badly broken down or would like to undergo cosmetic makeover, crown work is one of the ways to go.
Before		After

Crown - is a complete covering of the tooth with the laboratory-made restoration. In many instances crowns are absolutely essential if the tooth had undergone Root Canal Treatment and most of the original tooth structure is gone due to the decay and therefore filling may not be an option. Other times, your dentist may suggest putting a crown on a particular tooth if that tooth has old and failing silver filling of an extensive size - putting a new filling in such a tooth may not be as beneficial for the long-term survival of it as placing a crown and therefore preserving the tooth as a fully functional unit.

Then there are times like the situation depicted in this photograph. Person's 2 front teeth are chipped quite badly, his bite analysis and the extent of tooth structure loss make him far less than ideal candidate for bonding and even porcelain veneers. This is where esthetic dentistry has really reached its high level. Look at the two pictures - the after photo shows a completed work which consists of 6 all-porcelain crowns on front teeth (from canine to canine) that look not only perfectly natural but extremely well matched in terms of shape, position, gum line, and shade of the teeth. And work like that did not take a long time - 2 or 3 appointments the most. During the first appointment your tooth (or teeth) requiring a crown is prepared and shaped in a certain way to allow for the thickness of the restorative material; then the mold of the prepared tooth is taken to go to the dental laboratory where a technician certified in cosmetic dentistry will work on final crown product; at the same appointment a temporary crown will be made by your dentist and placed on the tooth until the permanent one is ready to ensure safety of the tooth as well as gum health and cavity-free environment. Second visit typically involves trying of the crown on the tooth, making all the necessary adjustments, and upon both patient's and dentist's satisfaction with the finished product the crown is cemented with bonded cement to allow for maximal stabilization of the crown on the tooth surface. And best of all - there is no discomfort after the work is done! Imagine - a "smile-lift" that's just 2 dental visits away. It can drastically improve not just the appearance of your teeth, but your overall smile and facial proportions, it can help stabilize your bite and help avoid TMJ problems, in many cases it can mean an improvement in life-style as well. Ask us how we can change your life with cosmetic crown-work. An overall analysis of your teeth performed by your dentist utilizing digital X-Ray technology, as well as the help of intraoral camera and computerized imaging will allow us to map out a precise plan for your smile makeover.

Bridges are based on the same idea that the tooth is completely covered with restoration, the difference being that bridgework is typically done when one or more teeth are missing and replacement of these missing teeth is indicated and desired. In fact, replacement of missing teeth is essential to prevent a whole array of problems.
		Before		After

The empty space that's created by a missing tooth sets off a chain reaction of dental problems that aff4ects your entire mouth:

* Unbalanced Bite. - Your teeth support and depend on each other. When one is lost, the teeth next to it - or the ones facing the space form the opposite jaw - may drift or twist out of their normal positions. This results in an unbalanced bite also known as malocclusion, puts harmful stress on teeth and jaws, and can even influence gum disease.

* Chewing Stress. - When teeth are not properly aligned, stressful chewing pushes teeth even more out of line and will eventually wear down the bone and gum tissues that hold all your teeth in place.

* Decay and Disease. - It may be difficult to properly clean the teeth that have drifted out of position. Plaque collects in hard-to-reach areas and if not removed with thorough brushing and flossing, can lead to the loss of even more teeth.

* Appearance. - Besides the effect the missing front tooth has on your smile, consider how a missing back tooth encourages existing teeth to become crowded or crooked. The loss of back teeth can also make your mouth sink in so your face looks older. It takes a full set of healthy teeth to keep your mouth in good shape so you look your best.

Replacing missing teeth is one of the most important things we as a dental team can do for you. It may seem hard to believe, but even one missing tooth can lead to serious dental problems, so it is absolutely vital to come in for consultation if you have one or more teeth missing - the sooner you start the treatment the better.