A crown is usually recommended when there is a broken or fractured tooth, severely decay tooth, after a root canal, or to enhance the look of a tooth. Each crown is customized to your individual tooth in shape, size, and shade.
The normal procedure for a crown consists of two appointments. The first to prepare the tooth for a crown as well as take an impression and make a temporary crown. At Westport Dental there are not traditional “messy” impressions, instead we have the latest technology digital scanner that takes pictures of your tooth in order to make your customized crown. After the initial appointment, the digital scan will be sent to a local lab and the turn around time is about two weeks. The second appointment will consist of cementing/bonding the final crown onto the tooth. It is recommended that you regularly (twice a year) get a checkup to make sure the new crown remains in working order.
A Bridge is one option to replace a missing tooth. It is required that the missing tooth have a tooth on both sides. The same steps are involved as a crown but instead of only one tooth, a bridge involves three or more teeth. It will replace the missing tooth as well as make that tooth look natural and restore the function again.
The technology in materials that are used at Westport Dental are second to none. All porcelain crowns and bridges don’t show a metal line if you have recession (gum shrinkage) are the optimal choice in most situations.