Crowns & Bridges

Crowns and bridges are some of the most popular treatments in modern dentistry. These versatile restorations are among the services available from Suzette Nikas, DDS, and her team at Hazel Dell Dentistry in Carmel, Indiana. To learn more about what crowns and bridges can do for you, schedule a consultation online or over the phone today in just a matter of moments.  

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are restorative treatments that cover all visible surfaces of a tooth. They’re a great way to protect your remaining natural tooth tissue and avoid extraction. 

You have choices when it comes to the material used to fabricate your crown. Porcelain is an excellent choice and creates a lifelike, beautiful finish. Zirconia crowns are crafted from a type of ceramic and are both attractive and durable. Some people prefer gold crowns for their aesthetic appeal.

Crowns are very versatile and can correct a number of different dental issues, including:

• Protecting a worn down tooth
• Improving the appearance of a misshapen tooth
• Addressing discoloration that teeth whitening can’t correct
• Providing structural support to a tooth weakened by multiple procedures
• Protecting a fractured or broken tooth

Dental crowns are also the visible portion of dental implants, the final step in root canals, and the anchoring structure for dental bridges.

What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is a restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. Unlike partial dentures, which are removable, a bridge or bridgework is affixed to the adjacent teeth using two dental crowns.

This creates a strong restoration that’s also very natural-looking. A bridge allows you to eat a full range of foods, including nuts, seeds, and other foods that are difficult to chew when you’re missing teeth.  

What is the process for getting a dental crown or bridge?

Getting a dental crown requires a few visits. During your initial visit, your dentist gathers imaging of your tooth and surrounding tissues. This information, along with a dental exam, determines whether a crown is the right treatment approach. 

If you decide to move forward with a crown, your dentist administers an injection of numbing medication to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, they remove a small portion of your natural tooth tissue to make room for the dental crown. 

Impressions are used to gather information about the precise size and shape of the prepared tooth and guide the fabrication process. A temporary crown protects the prepared tooth until the new custom crown arrives from the dental lab. At that point, you return to have the new crown cemented into place, completing the restoration. 

Getting a dental bridge follows much the same procedure. With bridgework, the impressions guide the creation of one or more false teeth, held in place by a crown on either side. 

To learn more about dental crowns and bridges, call the office today or schedule an appointment online.