The Role of Dental Bridges and Crowns: Restoring Your Smile and Bite

When it comes to restoring smiles and fixing bites, dentists have many different options. Not only do the treatments help boost a person’s confidence, but it also improves their bite and, therefore, chewing ability. Two of these options include bridges and crowns. If you don’t like your smile or you find it hard to eat, reach out to a reputable dentist for the proper treatment.

What’s a Dental Bridge?

As a fixed restoration treatment, a bridge works by closing a gap between teeth. For example, if you had one or more teeth extracted, or perhaps they fell out due to gum disease, you want to have the void space filled.
 

Otherwise, your teeth can shift and become misaligned. Not only would that compromise your smile, but it would also increase the risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay. In addition, it could cause your teeth to fall out. Simply put, a bridge eliminates the gap and, therefore, additional problems.

What’s a Crown?

A crown, which is also called a “cap,” is a cover, usually made out of porcelain, composite resin, or ceramics, that fits over an existing tooth. If you have a broken, cracked, misshapen, or discolored tooth, a crown is an excellent option. When finished, the crown will look perfectly natural. Even its color will match your other teeth.

If possible, dentists try to keep a person’s natural teeth as opposed to pulling them. Crowns make that possible. However, before fitting you with one, you would need a root canal. That entails two things. First, they’ll remove the nerves underneath the tooth. Second, they shave and shape your existing tooth so it can accommodate the crown.

While a crown works amazingly well, a dentist might make other recommendations. For instance, if the problem involves a front tooth, you might make a good candidate for veneers.

With that, they’ll prepare the tooth and then rebuild it using a special type of dental filling. Again, if it’s just one tooth, they’ll match the color of your existing teeth. On the other hand, they can choose a brighter white if you need two or more front teeth treated.

Dental Examination and Assessment

When meeting with a dentist, they’ll examine your teeth and gums and assess their condition. This helps them determine if you have additional problems that require treatment. At the same time, they’ll know if you would benefit more from a dental bridge or a crown.

Regardless of which solution you end up with, don’t hesitate to visit a dentist as soon as a problem arises. If you wait, it could worsen, or you could face a secondary issue. The exciting part is that both dental bridges and crowns restore smiles. At the same time, they improve the bite, thereby making it easier and more enjoyable to eat.

Excellent Dental Services

At Today’s Family Dental, we treat all of these conditions and more. To have your teeth and gums examined or for a routine cleaning, you can call either one of our Florida offices. For Tampa, dial 813-370-1700. For the Lutz location, call 813-212-2700.