Crowns and bridgework are permanent, non-removable restorations that either partially or completely cover an individual tooth or multiple teeth. Typically a crown is made on a heavily restored or root canal treated tooth to prevent it from possible future fracture. If a patient is missing teeth and has teeth on either side of the area where the tooth is missing a bridge can be fabricated to replace the missing tooth or teeth.
Dental crowns are also placed to:
- Restore a tooth with a broken cusp or heavily worn tooth
- Provide cuspal coverage for a cracked tooth
- Restore a tooth that has a large amount of decay
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a severely discolored tooth
- Build up a misshapen tooth like a peg shaped lateral or microdont.
- Replace hypo-calcified tooth enamel
- Realign a mal-positioned tooth visa vie ‘instant orthodontics’
- Splint two or more teeth together for increased anchorage and periodontal support.
The teeth to be restored with a crown or bridge are prepared by the Dentist using his hi speed drills. An experienced Dentist such as Dr. Willoughby pays particular attention to the internal and external retention of his crown preparation. Sometimes when there is a lack of clinical crown height Dr. Willoughby will suggest the use of his Lasers to help re-contour the tooth and expose more clinical crown height. An impression is then made of the tooth preparation created by the Dentist and a stone model of the patient’s mouth is then made from these impressions. The restoration is then created on the model by a dental lab technician.
Before graduating as a Dentist, Dr. Willoughby was trained as a dental lab technician so, Dr. Willoughby and his staff are very proud of the beautiful work their dental lab produces and will always take the time to show you the details of his crown preparations and the fit of these restorations on the working models. The accuracy of the Dentists preparation and the dental lab technician’s work cannot be over-emphasized because this is, in large part, what will determine the long term success of your crown and bridgework. Many of you have seen Dr. Willoughby show you these models before the crown or bridgework is permanently cemented onto your teeth.
Dr. Willoughby and his team take great pride in designing dental crowns and bridges to closely match the shape and color of your surrounding natural teeth. If you think you may need a dental crown, please feel free to contact our offices.