The beauty of these restorations lies in their versatility and durability. A well-crafted crown or bridge can last fifteen years or longer with proper care, making them reliable long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes that’ll need constant attention.
Understanding Dental Crowns
Think of a crown as a protective cap that covers your entire tooth down to the gumline. Dentists recommend crowns when a tooth has suffered significant damage—whether from decay, cracks, fractures, or wear—that makes it too weak to function reliably on its own. The crown essentially becomes the new outer surface of your tooth, taking on all the pressure from chewing while protecting what remains of your natural tooth structure underneath.
When You Might Need a Crown
Several situations call for crown placement. A tooth with a large cavity that’s compromised too much structure for a simple filling to work reliably often needs a crown. Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy typically require crowns because the procedure removes the internal blood supply, making the tooth more brittle and prone to fracturing. Severely worn teeth from grinding, cracked teeth that threaten to break apart completely, and teeth with old fillings that have finally failed after decades of service all benefit from the comprehensive protection crowns provide.
Some people also choose crowns for cosmetic reasons when a tooth has severe discoloration or an awkward shape that doesn’t respond well to other treatments. The crown can match your surrounding teeth perfectly while giving that problem tooth a complete makeover.
How Bridges Fill the Gaps
While crowns restore individual teeth, bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A traditional bridge uses crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap—called abutment teeth—to support one or more artificial teeth (pontics) that fill the empty space. The entire restoration becomes a single connected unit that’s permanently cemented in place, so it feels and functions like your natural teeth rather than something removable you have to take out and clean separately.
Why Missing Teeth Need Attention
You might think that losing a tooth only affects that specific spot, but the consequences ripple throughout your mouth. The teeth on either side of the gap gradually shift toward the empty space, tilting inward and creating new gaps elsewhere. The tooth that previously bit against the missing tooth starts to over-erupt, growing longer because nothing stops it anymore. These changes affect your bite alignment, make cleaning more difficult, and can eventually lead to additional tooth loss.
Bridges prevent this domino effect by maintaining proper spacing and supporting your remaining teeth. They also restore your ability to chew effectively on that side of your mouth, distribute bite forces more evenly, and prevent the sunken facial appearance that sometimes develops when multiple teeth go missing.
The Process of Getting Crowns and Bridges in Canton
Getting a crown or bridge typically requires two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth (or teeth) gets prepared by removing damaged structure and reshaping it to accommodate the crown. This preparation creates a stable foundation with enough space for the restoration to fit properly without feeling bulky. Detailed impressions of your prepared teeth, your bite, and the surrounding teeth ensure the final restoration fits precisely.
You’ll leave with a temporary crown or bridge that protects the prepared teeth while the lab fabricates your permanent restoration. These temporaries look decent and function reasonably well, though you’ll want to be a bit careful with sticky or very hard foods during this interim period.
Your second appointment happens once the lab completes your custom restoration—usually within two to three weeks. The temporary gets removed, the fit and appearance of your permanent crown or bridge gets checked, any minor adjustments get made, and then it’s cemented permanently in place. Most patients adapt to their new restoration within a few days as it starts feeling like a natural part of their mouth.
Materials That Match Your Needs
Modern crowns and bridges come in several material options, each with specific advantages:
- Porcelain fused to metal combines strength with aesthetics, featuring a metal substructure for durability and a porcelain exterior that matches your tooth color.
- All-ceramic or all-porcelain provides the most natural appearance and works beautifully for front teeth, where aesthetics matter most.
- Gold alloys offer exceptional durability and require less tooth reduction, making them excellent choices for back molars where appearance matters less than function.
- Zirconia delivers both strength and aesthetics, resisting chips and stains while maintaining a natural look.
Your dentist will recommend the best material based on which tooth needs restoration, how much natural tooth structure remains, your bite forces, and your aesthetic preferences.
Caring for Your Investment
Crowns and bridges don’t require special cleaning products or complicated routines—regular brushing twice daily and flossing once a day keep them in great shape. The key with bridges is learning to clean underneath the pontic where it meets your gumline. Floss threaders or water flossers make this easier and prevent bacteria buildup that could compromise the supporting teeth.
Avoid using your restored teeth as tools to open packages or crack nuts, and if you grind your teeth at night, wearing a nightguard protects your investment from excessive wear.
Rebuild Your Smile With Confidence
Damaged or missing teeth don’t have to dictate your quality of life or limit what you can eat and how you interact with others. Crowns and bridges in Canton provide durable, natural-looking solutions that restore full function and help you feel like yourself again. Schedule a consultation at Smile Builders in Canton to explore how these restorations can transform your smile and give you back the confidence that comes from knowing your teeth work the way they should.