What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown, or a cap, is a thin prosthetic that can cover a number of dental imperfections to restore the health, aesthetic, and function of your smile. Crowns are crafted with beautiful porcelain to cover your tooth above the gum line for a seamless, natural-looking appearance.
Dr. Stockdale creates custom-designed crowns by taking a high-quality impression of your tooth and sending it to a special lab. We’ll attach a temporary crown to protect your tooth until your permanent crown is ready for placement. Once your crown is ready, Dr. Stockdale will attach your porcelain crown with a special dental resin that bonds to your teeth.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge also referred to as fixed partial dentures, is a durable, natural-looking solution for patients with one or more missing teeth. Bridges fill in gaps between your teeth and restore the proper bite alignment between your upper and lower teeth.
Bridges are built from customized replacement teeth called pontics. They’re secured with beautiful dental crowns or implants that are attached to your natural teeth at the end of each gap.
Dr. Stockdale may need to reshape the neighboring teeth to make sure your temporary crowns fit perfectly. Once your bridge is ready, we’ll contact you to schedule an appointment so he can place it and complete your smile.
Taking Care of Your Crown or Bridge
With the right care, a dental crown or bridge can last up to eight years or more. This means brushing twice a day and flossing regularly to prevent debris and plaque from building up. It’s also important to schedule regular check-ups and cleanings with Dr. Stockdale every six months.
Bruxism, or persistent teeth grinding, along with jaw clenching, can damage your new restoration. Dr. Stockdale recommends wearing an oral appliance to protect your teeth and prevent further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dental crown is another word for a dental cap, so they’re the same type of restoration. They’re custom-made to cover several dental imperfections such as a broken, cracked, or damaged tooth. Contact our Rancho Cucamonga office at (909) 987-0040 to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Stockdale and achieve the smile of your dreams.
We’ll provide you with a temporary bridge after your teeth have been prepared and while your permanent bridge is being created. Dr. Stockdale will remove your temporary bridge once your beautiful, permanent restoration is ready to be placed.
To learn more about the bridge process, give us a call at (909) 987-0040 and a member of our staff will answer any questions you may have.
Generally, a dental crown or bridge is designed to last anywhere from five to fifteen years with good oral hygiene and care. This means brushing twice a day and flossing daily, as well as scheduling regular cleanings with Dr. Stockdale to help your restoration last for years to come.
Unfortunately, regular teeth whitening treatments won’t work on a dental crown. Here at Renaissance Dental Care, our crowns are crafted to match the color of your natural teeth and they’re resistant to staining or discoloration. If your natural teeth begin to yellow, Dr. Stockdale offers whitening treatments to ensure they blend in with your porcelain crown or bridge.