As we age, our teeth begin to change, becoming more prone to decay, and, at the same time, harder to repair. There is any number of reasons why: lifelong bruxism (grinding your teeth), cracked fillings, old root canals, and extensive previous restorations all take their toll. If your tooth cannot be treated properly with a filling, it’s likely that we will recommend a crown (sometimes called a “cap”) as the next best option for saving the tooth. Crowns completely cover your tooth, restoring it to its original shape, size, and function.
If you need a crown, we’ll help you decide which type of crown best suits your needs, both functionally and cosmetically. Options range from full porcelain crowns, porcelain and metal crowns, and gold crowns. Whichever is best, you can rest assured that your new crown will be structurally stable, virtually unnoticeable, and will flawlessly complement the rest of your smile.
Crowns typically require two or three appointments for completion. At the first appointment, we will remove all of the decay and prepare your tooth to receive the new crown. We’ll also take impressions, so it will fit seamlessly and achieve the most aesthetic possible result, and place a temporary crown until your permanent crown arrives. At your second appointment, the permanent crown is placed for a beautiful, lasting restoration.
A bridge is one of the few available options for dealing with a missing tooth or teeth, treatment for which is imperative. While certainly unattractive, missing teeth cause far more structural than cosmetic damage, since they can lead to bone loss that compromises the jaw and surrounding teeth. It can affect the way you eat, speak, and the alignment of other teeth in your mouth.
A bridge, by definition, is a link or connection between two permanent structures. A dental bridge is very similar, in that it attaches the restorative teeth (bridge) to the natural teeth on either side of the gap.
In order to seat the bridge, the teeth on either side must be crowned; the bridge consists of the two crowns connected to the artificial teeth that fill the gap. After we take impressions, our lab will craft a bridge that will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. As with crowns, bridges typically take two to three appointments, and you’ll have a temporary restoration during the short period between the two.
While bridges are a viable option for the replacement of missing teeth, dental implants may be a preferable, longer-lasting alternative. Please see our section on implants for more information.
Diagnosis, treatment, and comfort to ensure our patients have positive experiences and beautiful smiles.
Uptown Park Shoprring Center is situated just north of the Houston Galleria, our beautiful office is a peaceful oasis in a central, easily-accessible location.
Offering a complete spectrum of general and cosmetic services, we provide comprehensive dental care under a single roof in a relaxing, comfortable environment.
