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Are you missing one tooth or multiple teeth? Or maybe you have damaged a tooth due to trauma or age? If so, dental crowns and bridges are often used to help cap off damaged teeth and bridge the gap where teeth are missing. With new technology today, the effectiveness of crowns and bridges has advanced to offer results that remedy dental problems safely and restore a full, attractive smile. Porcelain crowns and bridges are durable, long-lasting, custom-made restorations that look and feel like natural teeth. Crowns and bridges can improve your smile by replacing missing teeth, filling gaps and spaces between teeth, whitening severely discolored teeth and repairing small cracks and chips in your teeth. Dental Crowns Preserve Damaged Teeth A dental crown is a restoration that covers and protects a damaged tooth or a tooth too weak to support a filling. Also known as caps, dental crowns preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. A dental crown may be used to protect cracked teeth, restore function to a tooth with excessive decay or to replace a pre-existing crown. The main purpose of a crown is to encase your needy tooth with a custom-designed material. If tooth decay is so severe or damage is so extensive that veneers, bonding or other conservative treatments are not viable treatment options, your dentist will consult with you about dental crowns. During your dental crown procedure your dentist will prepare your tooth and make a molded impression of your teeth to send to a dental laboratory. Once completed, the crown is permanently placed on your damaged tooth. Dental Bridges Replace Missing Teeth If you have one or more missing teeth it can significantly affect the appearance and function of your smile, shifting your teeth and causing a change in your bite. Additionally, missing teeth can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, an increased risk for periodontal disease, speech impediments and a greater chance of tooth decay. Dental bridges are similar to implants and dentures because they are used to replace missing teeth. When you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth, it shows when you smile. Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Since they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of your teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between your upper and lower teeth. Sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, dental bridges are semi-permanent and are bonded to your existing teeth or implants. Some bridges are removable and can be cleaned by the wearer, while others need to be removed by your dentist. Porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials are usually used to make your bridge appliances. Whether you have one or more missing teeth, or your existing teeth are severely damaged, rest assured that your dentist in Lexington can restore your smile with the latest in dental technology and treatment.
While crowns and bridges can potentially last a lifetime, it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene in order to ensure longevity. As with other cosmetic procedures, crowns and bridges are not suitable for everyone. Proper consultation with your dentist in Lexington can ensure optimal results for the restoration of your smile.
Established in 1989, Lansdowne-Merrick Family Dentistry is owned and operated by Dr. Allen Castle, dentist in Lexington. A solo practitioner, Dr. Castle, Lexington dentist, provides personalized care with a focus on the use of implants to replace lost teeth and to stabilize dentures.
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