Crowns, Bridges and Dentures

Dental crowns, bridges, and dentures are some of the most widely used tooth restorations. Since these restorations are made from tooth-colored ceramic, they are widely used for cosmetic dental purposes. Patients who wish to get oral aesthetics and functionality restored back to normal can benefit from them.

What are crowns?

Ceramic restorations that are shaped to resemble the contour of natural teeth are called crowns. They would be hollow from the inside as they are placed on the teeth. Since they cover a tooth in its entirety, they are also referred to as dental caps. Crowns are widely used to restore teeth that are broken, chipped, cracked, naturally misshapen, worn out, or too weak to stay intact by themselves.

Bridges

Dental bridges are known to be the most simple tooth replacement solution. They are ceramic structures that are bonded in place of the missing teeth. Bridges are known to be simple as they do not require surgery to be bonded in place. Instead, they are held by crowns on either side. They are customizable to a great extent, making them resemble the exact appearance of natural teeth.

Dentures

Dentures are a prosthetic set of teeth that are used to restore multiple missing natural teeth. They are composed of ceramic tooth-like structures that are used to replace the missing teeth along with an acrylic base that mimics the appearance of the gums. Dentures are removable prosthetics. Whenever you go to bed, they can be taken off and stored in a jar of clean water. Their removable nature also allows them to be easily cleaned using a regular toothbrush and toothpaste.

Treatment procedure

The treatment procedure for crowns and bridges is quite similar to each other. During the initial visit, the dentist would screen the teeth to understand the severity of the condition. Next, the teeth will be cleaned thoroughly before preparing them from the restoration. For this, the dentist would remove a thin layer of enamel from the teeth by buffing it to make space for the restoration. Next, the dentist will take a digital mold to serve as a reference for fabricating the restorations. Also, it helps to determine the spacing available, the size of the restoration required, etc.

Once the restorations are fabricated, the dentist would clean the teeth and prepare them for the procedure. The surface of the teeth will be roughened using an etching solution. This helps the restoration adhere well to the surface of the tooth and prevents it from slipping away. Dental adhesives will be used to bond the restoration, after which the curing light will be used to harden it. Any minor adjustments that need to be made will be taken care of by the dentist to give you the perfect smile.

When it comes to dentures, a digital mold of the oral cavity will be taken to serve as a reference for fabricating perfectly fitting dentures. Once they are ready, the dentist will place them in your mouth and check for fit and comfort. If any changes are required, they will be made so that the dentures are perfectly functional.

We serve the area of San Mateo and Burlingame Terrace. To schedule an appointment, call us at (650) 348-5424, and we will be happy to help.