
Dentistry is both an art and a science; dental crowns provide a perfect example of this. A dental crown is a covering that fits over a damaged or unattractive tooth. It can even replace a lost tooth altogether as part of a dental bridge. Dental crowns in our East Hartford, CT dental office can be made out of various materials, but when they are crafted out of high-quality porcelain, they are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. When you visit us for your restorative consultation, we will recommend the type of crown that we believe is best for your unique circumstances.
After we finish preparing the tooth, we will take some impressions of it, either digitally or with reliable, putty-like impression materials. We send the impressions, along with detailed notes, to a dental laboratory. There, the technicians will use the data we provide to make models of your teeth for the creation of a crown. The models will serve as guides during the creation of your new crown. The experts at the laboratory will pay great attention to detail and work hard to ensure that your new restoration both enhances your smile and functions well within your unique bite.
Before your first appointment in the crown process ends, we will attach a temporary crown to your tooth to protect it from sensitivity and potential damage until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, our team will verify your crown’s fit before we attach it to your tooth. To ensure that the crown stays in place, we may use either a resin that hardens when exposed to a special light source, or a type of permanent dental cement. Once your crown is in place, your treated tooth will once again provide you with reliable function.
The number of abutment teeth necessary to support a bridge is affected by the number of missing teeth; the size, length, and strength of the abutment tooth roots; the amount of bone support each abutment tooth has; and where in the mouth the missing tooth (or teeth) is located. For example, if you have three missing teeth in a row, four abutment teeth may be necessary, resulting in a seven-tooth bridge. The engineering and designing of dental bridgework require an in-depth understanding of how to replace teeth, as well as knowledge of the biology of the supporting gum and bone tissue.
Some patients are candidates for implant-supported bridges, which do not require the support of any abutment teeth because they gain all of their strength from prosthetic tooth roots that are inserted into the jawbone. We strongly recommend that patients who are candidates for implants choose this treatment option over a traditional dental bridge.