Crowns & Bridges

The dental crown covers a tooth that is broken or worn down or decayed. A crown holds the remaining tooth structure together and restores the tooth to its normal size and shape. A crown can strengthen a weak tooth or restore a tooth that has already broken. A crown can support a tooth that has a large filling. A crown can cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped and improve their appearance. The crown is used to attach a bridge and is used to cover a dental implant.

With an emphasis on aesthetics at Clonakilty Dental Centre, we usually fabricate our crowns of porcelain, either all ceramic or porcelain fused to a metal core. Crowns can also be made of metal, either non precious, or precious metals, like gold or silver. Depending upon your needs, we will discuss appropriate options for you.

Our high ceramic crowns designed by Beever Dental Laboratory are exceptionally aesthetic and strong. These all-ceramic crowns are bonded onto the remaining tooth structure and become part of the tooth. They look and feel like natural teeth. We work closely with the patient and laboratory to achieve the color and shape that is most pleasing. We work out all of the details in the planning stage, and we make sure you are happy with the result before we permanently cement the crowns. No surprises in our office!


 
Old Crowns
New Ceramic Crowns

A bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It consists of two or more crowns connected to artificial teeth in-between to fill out the space left by a missing tooth. It is important to fill in empty spaces to prevent neighboring teeth from drifting. A well-fitting bridge can function well for many years. One drawback is that the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth have to be reduced so the crowns will fit. The patient will also not be able to floss through these teeth as they are connected, but he will have to use a threader to floss under the teeth. The implant is another option to replace a missing tooth. The implant does not have the drawbacks of the bridge. At our Long Island Dental Office we will be happy to discuss your options for replacing missing teeth.

What is The Bonded Bridge?

The Bonded Bridge is another option for replacing missing teeth. The bonded bridge is sometimes called a Maryland Bridge.  The bonded bridge consists of an artificial tooth connected to porcelain or metal wings that bond to the back of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. The Bonded Bridge is less costly than the conventional bridge or implant, but it is not as strong.  It has the advantage that the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth do not have to be reduced for crowns.  The procedure usually does not require anesthesia and it is reversible and non-invasive.  The bonded bridge is sometimes a good interim or more long-term solution to replace missing teeth.

Missing central incisor
Missing central incisor replaced with a Maryland Bridge 
Missing lateral incisor.
 
Bonded bridge in place.
Missing lower bicuspid.
 
Bonded bridge in place.

 


You can learn more about us and cosmetic dentistry on this website. You can also see more before and after photos of smiles we have created and read our patient testimonials.