Crowns and Bridges
You might think that fixing damaged or missing teeth is all about esthetics. And while you might feel self-conscious about your tooth — or the gap left behind if it is missing — there is more at stake here than just looks.
A damaged tooth can easily become a missing tooth if it is not repaired. A missing tooth leaves behind a gap in your mouth that can negatively impact the healthy teeth surrounding it. When teeth do become damaged, it is important to address the problems and fix the tooth as quickly as possible. Our caring Manchester, NH dental team will gladly take a look at your injured tooth immediately to help you determine the best course of action.
Depending on the nature of your problem, a dental crown or bridge might be the answer to restore proper chewing function and preserve the health of the rest of your mouth.
Talk to Amoskeag Urgent Dental Care of New Hampshire about whether or not you need a dental crown or bridge to repair your missing or damaged teeth. Our practice is not limited to just emergencies; we can treat most of your dental needs!
- Replacing Missing Teeth With a Dental Bridge
- Repairing Damaged Teeth With a Dental Crown
- The Dental Crown Procedure
- Find Out More About Dental Crowns and Bridges
Replacing Missing Teeth with a Dental Bridge
It is important to fill in the spaces left by missing teeth to keep the healthy teeth in your mouth from starting to shift. If a shift does occur, it will affect your bite and likely lead to the loss of more teeth. Protecting your natural teeth is always our goal. We want to preserve as many of your teeth as possible to give you the best chance for success. Our Manchester Amoskeag Urgent Dental Care office is here to help you protect your smile in any way we can!
In the event that natural teeth are lost, however, you will need to replace those teeth. If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, we might recommend a bridge to fill in the space that remains. A natural-looking bridge will blend in with your existing teeth, restoring your self-confidence. It will also mean you can chew normally again.
Bridges are cemented into place and attach to either your natural teeth or artificial dental implants. Permanently attaching bridges in this way prevents teeth shifting, which preserves your oral health.
Repairing Damaged Teeth with a Dental Crown
If you have a damaged tooth, the good news is that it likely can be repaired very easily! Thanks to modern technology, dental crowns are now both beautiful and durable.
At Amoskeag Urgent Dental Care of New Hampshire, we routinely use dental crowns to repair damaged teeth. Crowns are used to treat a variety of tooth injuries. Several common uses for crowns are discussed below:
Covering large fillings
One of the most common uses for a dental crown is fixing a molar that has a very large filling. Over time, the filling becomes worn down. But because so little of the natural tooth structure is left, we cannot replace the filling itself. In situations like these, a crown is typically the best option. Crowns help restore the function of the tooth and prevent further damage.
Strengthening teeth after root canal procedures
After root canal treatment, a crown is usually placed to protect the tooth. Since the tooth pulp is removed during a root canal, the crown helps prevent the tooth from succumbing to fracture. A tooth is naturally weaker after a root canal treatment, but the crown helps add strength and stability back into the area.
Repairing cracked or chipped teeth
Sometimes, a small portion of a tooth will become chipped or cracked while the remainder of the tooth is still healthy. Rather than extracting a viable tooth, our Manchester, NH dental team can cover the tooth with a dental crown. The crown will cover the damaged area of the tooth while still leaving the healthy root intact.
Anchoring a dental bridge
Dental crowns are also used to hold dental bridges in place. Sometimes, dental bridges have to be placed in areas of the mouth where there are many missing teeth — and there is not enough natural tooth remaining to safely anchor the bridge. This is where dental crowns come in! Crowns are either attached to dental implants or attached to an existing tooth if there is one available for one side of the bridge.
Camouflaging unsightly teeth
In addition to their structural and supportive functions, dental crowns can also serve cosmetic purposes! Teeth that are stained or misshapen but otherwise healthy can be covered up with a dental crown. This approach leaves the healthy tooth where it should be to function in the mouth while still allowing the tooth to look beautiful and to match the neighboring teeth.
The Dental Crown Procedure
What is it actually like to have a dental crown placed? Dental crowns are typically made in a high-tech dental labs and are customized to match the size and whiteness of your other teeth. Usually, you will receive a temporary dental crown to wear while your permanent one is being made.
If you need a dental crown placed, we will first take an x-ray to check the health of the tooth root and jawbone. If a crown is needed, the tooth receiving the crown will be prepared. This involves shaping the tooth along the top and sides to make room for the restoration. Because crowns sit on top of the existing tooth, there has to be enough room to accommodate all the material.
After taking an x-ray, we will then make an impression of the remaining tooth structure so the lab can create a custom-made crown. Creating a new crown typically takes a few weeks. When your crown is back from the lab, it will be cemented permanently in place. We’ll make any needed adjustments beforehand to ensure it is comfortable for chewing.
At Amoskeag Urgent Dental Care of New Hampshire, patient comfort is our top priority. Our Amoskeag dentists are skilled and experienced when it comes to working with crowns and bridges. Our team believes in working quickly and efficiently without compromising patient comfort and quality care. Throughout the whole process of receiving your dental crown, we want you to feel safe and relaxed. If there is anything we can ever do to help you feel more at-ease while you are visiting our office, do not hesitate to ask.
Find Out More about Dental Crowns and Bridges
Our dental offices are truly the first of their kind in New England. While we specialize in emergency dental treatment in the Amoskeag, NH area, we also regularly treat patients for their non-emergent, general dentistry needs! We are able to help whether you simply need a dental cleaning or a more comprehensive restorative treatment.
We are knowledgeable about dental crowns and bridges, and we can help you make the best decision for your smile. Don’t let damaged or missing teeth compromise your oral health. If some areas of your mouth need restorative attention, talk to us about getting a dental crown or bridge. Call us today!
