Dental crowns, also known as dental caps, are versatile restorations that can transform the appearance and function of damaged or weakened teeth. At Smiles for Maple Valley, we specialize in providing high-quality dental crowns that restore both the aesthetics and strength of your smile.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, encasing it to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Our skilled dentists use advanced materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia, to create dental crowns that mimic the natural look and feel of your existing teeth.
Dental bridges are reliable and effective restorations that can fill the gaps created by missing teeth, restoring your smile's appearance and functionality. At Smiles for Maple Valley, we specialize in providing high-quality dental bridges to help our patients regain their confidence and enjoy a complete, natural-looking smile once again.
A dental bridge is a custom-made prosthetic device that consists of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) suspended between two dental crowns. The dental crowns are placed on the natural teeth or dental implants adjacent to the gap, providing stability and support to the bridge. The pontics are carefully designed to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and harmonious integration with your existing smile.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, encasing it to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Our skilled dentists use advanced materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia, to create dental crowns that mimic the natural look and feel of your existing teeth.
Dental bridges are reliable and effective restorations that can fill the gaps created by missing teeth, restoring your smile's appearance and functionality. At Smiles for Maple Valley, we specialize in providing high-quality dental bridges to help our patients regain their confidence and enjoy a complete, natural-looking smile once again.
A dental bridge is a custom-made prosthetic device that consists of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) suspended between two dental crowns. The dental crowns are placed on the natural teeth or dental implants adjacent to the gap, providing stability and support to the bridge. The pontics are carefully designed to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and harmonious integration with your existing smile.
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How Crowns and Bridges Work
Porcelain Crowns
- Explanation of the dental crown procedure, including the materials used and the benefits and considerations of each type.
- Discussion of the aesthetic and functional expectations, as well as color matching to adjacent teeth.
- Review of the timeline, number of appointments required, and cost estimation.
- Administration of local anesthesia to ensure a painless and comfortable experience.
- Tooth preparation, which involves removing decay or old restorations, shaping the tooth, and creating space for the dental crown.
- Taking impressions (either traditional or digital) of the prepared tooth for the creation of a custom-made dental crown.
- Placement of a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being fabricated in a dental lab.
- Instructions on how to care for the temporary crown and what to avoid during this interim period.
- Sending the dental impressions and specific instructions to a dental lab.
- Collaboration with skilled technicians to ensure the accurate creation of a custom dental crown that matches the desired shape, size, and color.
- Removal of the temporary crown and thorough cleaning of the prepared tooth.
- Evaluation of the fit, color, and aesthetics of the custom-made dental crown.
- Precise placement and bonding of the dental crown using dental cement or adhesive.
- Bite adjustment to ensure proper occlusion and comfort.
- Polishing and final adjustments to achieve a seamless and natural appearance.
Dental Bridges
- Explanation of the dental bridge procedure, including the different types of bridges available (traditional, cantilever, Maryland, or implant-supported) and their benefits and considerations.
- Discussion of the aesthetics, materials, and color matching for the dental bridge.
- Review of the timeline, number of appointments required, and cost estimation.
- Administration of local anesthesia to ensure a painless and comfortable experience.
- Preparation of the abutment teeth (the natural teeth or dental implants that will support the bridge) by reshaping them to accommodate dental crowns.
- Taking impressions (either traditional or digital) of the prepared teeth and the surrounding dental arch for the creation of a custom-made dental bridge.
- Placement of a temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth and maintain the functionality and aesthetics of the smile during the fabrication of the permanent bridge.
- Instructions on how to care for the temporary bridge and what to avoid during this interim period.
- Sending the dental impressions and specific instructions to a dental lab.
- Collaboration with skilled technicians to ensure the accurate creation of a custom dental bridge that matches the desired shape, size, and color.
- Removal of the temporary bridge and thorough cleaning of the prepared teeth.
- Evaluation of the fit, color, and aesthetics of the custom-made dental bridge.
- Precise placement and bonding of the dental bridge using dental cement or adhesive.
- Bite adjustment to ensure proper occlusion and comfort.
- Polishing and final adjustments to achieve a seamless and natural appearance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Porcelain Crowns
What are porcelain crowns?
Porcelain crowns, also known as ceramic crowns, are dental restorations that completely encase a damaged or decayed tooth, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance.
Why choose porcelain crowns?
Porcelain crowns offer a natural and lifelike appearance, closely mimicking the color and translucency of natural teeth. They are also a durable and long-lasting solution for various dental issues.
What dental issues can porcelain crowns address?
Porcelain crowns are versatile and can be used to address a range of issues, including tooth decay, fractures, discoloration, misalignment, and to cover a dental implant.
How are porcelain crowns placed?
The process involves removing a portion of the natural tooth, taking impressions, and placing a temporary crown. The final porcelain crown is custom-made in a dental laboratory and then permanently bonded to the tooth during a second appointment.
How long do porcelain crowns last?
With proper care, porcelain crowns can last for many years, often a decade or more. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices contribute to their longevity.
Are porcelain crowns noticeable?
No, porcelain crowns are designed to blend seamlessly with natural teeth. The color and translucency of porcelain closely resemble that of surrounding teeth, creating a natural and aesthetically pleasing result.
Dental Bridges
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
Why choose a dental bridge?
Dental bridges are chosen to restore the appearance, function, and bite alignment compromised by missing teeth. They can improve aesthetics, speech, and the ability to chew comfortably.
How is a dental bridge placed?
The process involves preparing the adjacent teeth (abutments) to support the bridge, taking impressions, and placing a temporary bridge. A custom bridge is then created and permanently bonded during a subsequent appointment.
Can a dental bridge be used to replace multiple missing teeth?
Yes, dental bridges can be designed to replace one or more missing teeth. The number of pontics and abutments depends on the specific case and the patient's oral health.
How long does a dental bridge last?
With proper care and regular dental check-ups, dental bridges can last for many years, typically a decade or more. Good oral hygiene practices and preventive care contribute to their longevity.
Is the placement of a dental bridge painful?
The process is generally not painful. Local anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient's comfort during the preparation of the abutment teeth. Patients may experience some soreness afterward, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Disclaimer: Please note that the provided information above is based on general knowledge, and it's always recommended to consult with our dentists at Smiles for Maple Valley for personalized advice and recommendations regarding your or your child's specific dental needs and conditions. For any questions or concerns, please call our Maple Valley dentist office at (425) 432-0561.
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