Dental Crowns & Bridges
An Aesthetically-Pleasing and Functional Restoration
The crown of the tooth is the part that is visible above the gum line. For various reasons, it can become worn, damaged or dislodged. When this happens, it places you at a great disadvantage, as each tooth relies on those surrounding it to maintain its position. Thankfully, whether you’re missing one or more teeth, Dr. Allan J. Milewski has a replacement option for you: a dental crown or bridge. To find out which option is best to restore your smile, contact us at Medina Family Dentistry to schedule a visit today!
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a prosthetic tooth that is custom-designed by Dr. Milewski to fit perfectly into your smile line, while restoring the functionality you’ve been missing. It provides remedy for a broken, decayed or missing tooth via either a porcelain, ceramic, gold or metal alloy cap that fits snugly into the vacated space.
When you visit our Medina office, Dr. Milewski will conduct a careful examination before providing any restorative care. Furthermore, he’ll work with you to determine which type of crown is best-suited to fit your personal preference and budget. After any initial dental work is completed, we’ll capture bite impressions that will be used to design your new crown. A smile plan will be sent to our lab partners who will fabricate the restoration according to Dr. Milewski’s specifications. Meanwhile, you’ll be fitted with a temporary crown to ensure your tooth is protected while you wait.
Once the permanent crown returns to our office, we’ll invite you back to have it bonded into position. While you visit, we’ll also make sure the new fixture fits perfectly so you can experience the maximum longevity.
What is a Bridge?
If you have one or more teeth missing, then Dr. Milewski can design a dental
bridge. The apparatus consists of a series of consecutive porcelain crowns
that are bonded into position to fill a gap in your smile. In preparation
for the procedure, Dr. Milewski will remove a thin layer of enamel from the
surrounding teeth so they can be capped with new crowns that will act as
anchors (abutments). This will allow the new bridge to be bonded to them to
create a sturdy and attractive restoration.
With a new dental bridge, here is what you can look forward to:
- The ability to eat normally
- Improved smile aesthetics
- A way to stabilize your surrounding teeth
- Better pronunciation and smile confidence
How to Care for a Crown or Bridge
Once your smile is restored, the focus must shift to how to maintain it. The
good news is that with the proper care, your new crown or bridge can last up
to 15 years.
Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Brush and floss at least two times a day.
- Limit your intake of sugar to protect your gum health.
- Be sure to always thoroughly clean around the base of the new restoration to protect your gums.
- Make it a habit to visit Dr. Milewski every six months for cleanings and examinations so any issues can be nipped in the bud early, and your teeth and gums can remain plaque-free.