Crowns And Bridges

What are crowns?

A dental crown is placed on a prepared tooth This is done to restore the tooth to its natural shape, size, or strength. Crowns are also used to help improve the appearance of tooth irregularities.

At Monica Muñoz, DDS in Monrovia, CA, your dentist can place crowns to reinforce teeth that have a high likelihood of breaking, or those that are already too broken down to adequately restore using fillings. One of the most common reasons patients get crowns is to seal and strengthen the hole made after a root canal treatment.

What are bridges?

When one or more teeth are missing, the remaining teeth are in jeopardy of shifting or rotating into the empty spaces. The end result is a bad dental bite. This shift can also result in painful TMJ disorders of the temporomandibular joint. A bridge is inserted in order to replace those missing teeth and fill the gaps. They are attached to existing teeth or to implants that have been surgically placed in the jawbone.

What to expect when getting crowns and bridges?

A crown is placed over the course of two separate appointments. During the first visit, the tooth is rid of any existing decay and properly shaped to accommodate the crown. Afterward, an impression will be made of the tooth in order to manufacture a customized crown. While the crown is being made, patients will have a temporary crown in place.

The process for placing bridges is quite similar. Also, patients can choose from a selection of materials from which their bridges can be manufactured. These materials may include ceramic (zirconia, porcelain), gold alloy, or porcelain bonded to metal alloy.

If you have a tooth that is breaking down or completely missing, don’t jeopardize the integrity of the remaining teeth. Protect your overall oral health and improve the appearance of your smile by requesting an appointment with Monica Muñoz, DDS for crowns and bridges.