What Are Dental Crowns and Bridges?
What are dental crowns and bridges? If you are asking yourself this question, then we have the answers for you. Here's everything you need to know in Tarrytown NY.
Maybe you have a severely chipped tooth? Perhaps one of your teeth has experienced severe decay? If so, you might very well need dental crowns and bridges.
What you might be wondering, though, is: what are dental bridges and crowns? We're going to answer that question in detail below, telling you everything you need to know about bridges, crowns, and their place in dental care.
Let's go!
Dental Crowns and Bridges: What Are They?
Dental crowns and dental bridges are synthetic entities that are used to replace or supplement broke or missing teeth. The two entities serve slightly different purposes. We'll discuss the specifics of both below.
Dental Crowns
Also known as dental caps, dental crowns are synthetic teeth restorations that encircle damaged portions of existing teeth. A crown provides a tooth with an enhanced aesthetic and makes it look whole again. In addition, dental crowns stop the spread of tooth decay, ensuring that cavities aren't able to grow worse over time.
Unlike dental bridges, crowns are designed to cover one tooth a piece. So, if you have 3 affected teeth, you will use 3 crowns in order to treat them.
Dental crowns are semi-permanent, usually lasting for around 15 years. Note, though, that they can last shorter or longer than that depending on the type of abuse that's inflicted upon them.
Crowns are bonded to teeth with the use of dental cement. Therefore, they're extremely secure and almost impossible to break or disturb.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer the same general benefits as dental crowns. That is to say that they enhance the look of the teeth over which they're laid. Not to mention, they help to stop the spread of tooth decay.
What's different about dental bridges, however, is that they come in a series of false teeth as opposed to just a single false tooth. They contain 2 to 5 false teeth, all of which sit directly next to one another.
This makes them highly beneficial for patients who have lost or damaged several teeth in a specific portion of their mouth. The dental bridge can literally bridge the gap where the teeth are missing, making it look like the patient has a full set of teeth once again.
Dental bridges don't tend to last as long as dental crowns. Generally speaking, they need to be replaced every 10 years or so. That said, you could conceivably use dental bridges to treat your teeth in perpetuity.
Reasons You Might Need Crowns or Bridges
There are a number of situations that could trigger the need for dental crowns or bridges dental services. The most common of these situations include the following.
You Have a Particularly Large Cavity
If one of your teeth has an exceedingly large cavity, there's a chance that it won't be able to be filled in the conventional method. Instead, the drilled tooth will need to be covered with a dental crown. The crown will not only cover the affected area entirely but will also prevent decay from spreading further.
Your Teeth Are Chipped
Whether it's from teeth grinding, direct physical trauma, or otherwise, your teeth have the potential to become chipped. Should this happen, there's a chance that you'll need a crown in order to cover the chipped area. The crown will not just improve the look of the tooth but will also ensure that the
chip doesn't worsen over time.
You're Missing Teeth
If you're missing any teeth, a dental bridge can be a good way to fill in the gaps. This is particularly true in situations in which the missing teeth sit right next to one another.
The bridge can be connected to the two peripheral teeth and can serve to fill in the area between them with false teeth. This not only improves the functional capabilities of the patient but the aesthetic characteristics as well.
Your Teeth Have Experienced Severe Decay
Bridges can also be beneficial in situations where a tooth has experienced severe decay. If the decay has reached a certain severity, it can be detrimental to the other teeth in the mouth. Therefore, it becomes necessary to remove the affected tooth entirely.
When this occurs, you must fill in the gap of the missing tooth. A bridge, along with a number of other dental entities, can be used to do this.
Your Teeth Are Highly Discolored
Slightly yellowed teeth can be whitened with the use of dental whitening procedures. Unfortunately, if your teeth are exceedingly yellowed, these procedures won't provide satisfying results. Instead, you'll have to cover the tooth with a synthetic model.
This is where crowns and bridges come in. Crowns and bridges can be used to hide the tooth's discoloration, all the while providing the tooth with impeccable size and shape.
You've Received a Dental Implant
Dental crowns and bridges are most commonly used to cover existing teeth. However, you don't necessarily need to have a tooth present in order to get a dental crown. If you undergo a dental implant, you can simply have the crown placed on top of the implant itself.
Dental implants are much more permanent than crowns and bridges. In fact, in many cases, they last for the remainder of the patient's life. So, if you'd rather get an implant than a simple crown or bridge, bring it up to your dentist at your next appointment.
Looking for a Dentist in Tarrytown NY?
Are you interested in getting dental crowns and bridges? Looking for a dentist in Tarrytown NY? Look no further than Broadway Cosmetic Dentistry.
Our skilled and experienced dentists are well-versed in the implementation of crowns and bridges. Regardless of the type of dental care you require, our seasoned team can accommodate you.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Dr. Rohit Z Patel
D.D.S
After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Patel continued his postgraduate studies in endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. He was appointed to assistant clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University and later moved on to teach at the Montefiore Medical Center’s Department of Dentistry. Westchester Magazine recognized Dr. Patel as a “Top Dentist for 2012.”
Dr. Yung Kim
D.D.S
Dr. Yung Kim is a double board certified Periodontist and board certified Prosthodontist, educated to treat many extremely complex disorders involving gum disease, tooth decay, and oral pathology. His focus is on full-mouth, complex, surgical, and reconstructive dentistry. He has extensive knowledge of implant dentistry and advanced surgical procedures, specializing in teeth in a day and All-on-Four implants. He is also Invisalign certified and experienced with CAD/CAM restorations and dentures.
Dr. Brendan Gallagher
D.D.S
Dr. Brendan Gallagher is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and reliable surgical care while keeping communication clear and timely with referring offices. He values building strong partnerships with colleagues to ensure the very best care for patients. Outside of practice, Dr. Gallagher enjoys mentoring upcoming dentists through social media and podcasting. He also enjoys running, trying new craft beers and spending time with friends and family. You can find Dr. Gallagher at our Brewster, Tarrytown and Mount Vernon locations.
Dr. Santvana Vyas
D.D.S
Dr Vyas attended NYU College of Dentistry and earned DDS in 2016 at the top of her class. She was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society and earned Outstanding Achievement Award in study of Prosthodontics.
Dr Vyas is an active member of American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) and American Dental Association (ADA). She is appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is married and is blessed with two sons.
Dr. Gianna DeMase
D.D.S
Dr. DeMase received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University where she double-majored in Biology and Spanish. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in periodontics. After dental school, Dr. DeMase completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. Here, she participated in community outreach in the women’s health clinic and taught medical students how to do oral exams. She also worked with special needs patients in Jacobi’s Rose F. Kennedy Center. Dr. DeMase remains committed to being active in the community.
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Dr. DeMase has experience in cavity restoration, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, and prosthodontics including implant restorations.
She highly values patient education and always ensures your comfort and understanding of the treatment. She strongly believes in patient centered care and therefore tailors each treatment plan to you and your needs. As a member of the American Dental Association, Dr. DeMase is always aware of the latest studies and developments in the dental field and strives to apply them to her practice. In her spare time, she can usually be found with a book in her hands.
