If you have a tooth that is broken or cracked, a dental crown can be used as a restoration option to repair the shape and appearance of the tooth. Dental bridges are inserted between teeth if one or more has been lost.
Both dental crowns and dental bridges require an appointment with Drs. Icard or Strein, at our dentist’s office in Harrisburg, NC. During your visit, we’ll discuss which option is best for you based on your individual needs. Before your scheduled appointment you can review below some of the common questions we’re asked during the initial consultation. Our answers should help guide your decision and the conversation on the day of your appointment.
1. What Are Dental Crowns?
Crowns are a dental restoration option that covers the entire surfaces of the teeth to provide support and protection from fractures, cracks, and other damages caused by chips, breaks, and tooth decay. Dental crowns also correct discoloration and structural damage such as misshapen teeth.
2. Are Dental Crowns Temporary or Permanent?
Dental crowns are typically considered permanent dental restorations. However, some crowns may be bonded onto the tooth surface and then removed after the dentist fits you for a new crown if you are ever in need of one. If you’re unsure whether temporary dental crowns are an option, we can surely discuss this further during your consultation appointment.
3. What Do I Need To Know About Caring For My Dental Crown?
Since dental crowns are designed to last, take care of them in order to keep them looking their best. While brushing and flossing will always remain part of good oral hygiene habits, how you care for your teeth when wearing dental crowns is determined by whether they are porcelain-fused to metal or all-porcelain crowns.
4. What Are The Benefits Of Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns restore the strength and health of a tooth. Dental crowns can be used to strengthen teeth with large fillings or correct structural damage such as chips, cracks, and breaks. They also prevent further damage from occurring on natural teeth and help dental work like braces fit better.
5. What Is The Difference Between Gold And Porcelain Crowns?
Dental crowns are generally made of several different materials including porcelain, gold, ceramic and all-metal alloy. Dental crowns made entirely of metal typically don’t require the same level of care as dental crowns made with porcelain because they’re more durable than their all-porcelain counterparts. However, both types of dental crowns can last about 10+ years before needing to be replaced due to wear and tear.
6. How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
With proper care, a fine quality dental crown should last 10+ years depending on your oral health and habits like smoking. If you take care of your teeth, floss daily, and visit the dentist regularly for cleanings, this can increase the life of dental crowns.
7. Who Can Provide Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are typically provided by dental specialists known as prosthodontists to ensure the structures are proportionate to other structures in your mouth so they look natural yet provide adequate support.
8. Do Dental Crowns And Bridges Require Root Canals?
Root canals are not required for dental crowns or dental bridges.
9. What Are The Benefits Of Getting A Dental Bridge Instead Of A Single Crown?
The benefit of getting a bridge rather than an individual crown is that it requires less tooth preparation because several teeth are used for support instead of just one individual tooth. However, there is one downside too which is that dental bridges must be anchored to supportive teeth which can then weaken the anchor teeth.
10. What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth attached to surrounding natural teeth in order to support an implant-based restoration typically made up of one or more false teeth attached together in the center. A dental bridge replaces missing teeth by joining replacement teeth to abutment (anchor) teeth adjacent to either side of the space where the missing tooth once was located.
11. How Long Does A Dental Bridge Last?
Most dental bridges can last 20+ years with proper care. However, each person’s oral health is different and will vary the length of time a bridge lasts in their mouth. If you can practice good hygiene habits like brushing twice a day and flossing daily your dental bridge will likely last longer in your mouth.
12. How Long Does It Take To Get A Dental Bridge?
The time it takes to get a dental bridge varies based on the procedure needed for each person’s case. Sometimes filling out dental insurance forms can take longer than necessary due to certain requirements that must be met. However, most of the time the process only takes about two weeks or less which includes taking impressions of your teeth and waiting for the dentist to fit you for your custom-made dental bridge.
13. How much does a dental bridge cost?
The cost of getting a dental bridge varies depending on the type of material used, size of your smile gap/missing tooth space, the severity of damage to surrounding teeth, if any are damaged beyond repair, if additional procedures are required such as extractions.
14. Which Option Should I Choose
Both dental crowns and dental bridges are excellent options for restoring teeth that are broken, cracked, or have lost a significant amount of structure. If you’re considering either option, it’s important to discuss your needs with either Dr. Icard or Dr. Strein at our Harrisburg Family Dentist Office. Crowns and bridges can both restore the shape and appearance of your smile while providing protection from further damage. If you’re interested in learning more about dental crowns or dental bridges, be sure to get an appointment with us today.
Our Harrisburg NC Dentist Office
To learn more about dental treatments from Icard & Strein Family Dentistry, or to schedule an appointment, call our Harrisburg, NC dental office today at 704.455.5003.
