Dental Crowns and Bridges – Somerville, NJ
Prevent Issues Later. Restore Damaged Teeth Today!
Teeth can be damaged for many reasons. One of the most common reasons is tooth decay, but they can also be damaged due to a dental injury. Regardless of your situation, you don’t have to lose hope (or your tooth) just to make your mouth healthy and functional again. With dental crowns and bridges from Somerset Dental Arts, Dr. Digrazia can restore damaged teeth and fill the gap in your smile. To learn more or get started saving your smile, contact our dental office to schedule an appointment!
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns, also known as caps, are dental devices designed to cover damaged teeth. These restorations are customized not just to fit over your teeth and rebuild your smile, but fit properly with your existing bite. The shape and size of the crown needs to be carefully taken into consideration to prevent jaw issues later. Once fabricated and placed, you won’t have to worry about the tooth breaking apart further, nor becoming infected. As long as you commit to regular oral hygiene and avoid using your teeth as a tool, your crown will last you well over a decade.
The crown you choose will largely depend on your personal preference as well as recommendations from Dr. Digrazia. She’ll help you understand the difference between gold, metal-fused-to-porcelain and all-porcelain crowns, each of which carry their own unique characteristics.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge takes dental crowns to the next level by combining three to four dental crowns to create one larger restoration. The crown on either side is hollowed out just like dental crowns so it can be fitted onto adjacent natural teeth. Once the natural teeth are altered, the bridge will be placed on top, effectively bridging the gap in your smile. The pontics, (or replacement teeth) fill the space in your arch.
By filling this empty space, you prevent neighboring teeth from shifting and misaligning your bite. If your bite is misaligned, it’s more likely to cause issues with your jaw and temporomandibular joint as you chew.
Am I a Candidate for a Dental Crown or Bridge?
Many patients are candidates for dental crowns if they have damaged teeth. For example, If you currently have extensive tooth decay, they can help restore your tooth’s normal functions. If your tooth is cracked, broken or fractured, a dental crown can prevent future oral health issues, avoid potential infections and make chewing, biting, and smiling easy again. If you are pursuing root canal therapy, a crown will be required to restore your tooth once all infected tissue is removed.
A dental bridge is more appropriate if you’re missing one or multiple consecutive teeth and are looking for a more long-term solution to tooth loss. With proper care, bridges last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. They are also ideal for individuals who are not interested in or eligible for dental implants.