Dental crowns are caps that restore the shape and size of teeth after they have been damaged. They are also a versatile treatment which can protect a weak tooth from infection, restore a damaged tooth, cover a dental implant, hold a dental bridge in place and provide a great, natural appearance. At Ready 2 Smile Dental Group, dental crowns are a standard procedure and great option for restoring damaged teeth.

Dental Crowns, Explained

A dental crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth. We typically use a crown to restore a damaged tooth, but they can also use it to improve the appearance of a smile. A crown can consist of three different materials, all-metal, ceramic-on-metal and all-ceramic. The location of the crown in the teeth will determine the best material to use. For example, front teeth need to have an all-ceramic crown, if possible, since it looks the most natural. Patients may often use ceramic-on-metal crowns since they look natural but have the durability that only metal can provide.

Dental Bridges, Explained

A dental bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth. At Ready 2 Smile Dental Group, we provide clients with dental bridges if they want to replace a tooth without wearing dentures or undergoing surgery. The new tooth is held in place by two crowns. It looks natural and consists of a ceramic or porcelain material to match the surrounding teeth.

How To Get Ready for a Crown or Bridge 

If you are getting dental crowns or a dental bridge for cosmetic reasons, we recommend that you whiten your teeth first. At Ready 2 Smile Dental Group, we offer teeth whitening procedures that can improve the appearance of your smile quickly and easily. It is important to have this procedure done first because the material that crowns and bridges are made out of are both stain and bleach resistant. That means that if it is created to match yellow teeth, it will remain yellow even if you have your teeth whitened at a later date. When you have the procedure done first, your new crown or bridge will be made to match your new brilliantly white teeth.

When preparing for the procedure, we recommend that patients take a day off of work. If possible, you may want to take a couple of days off. It is normal for teeth to be somewhat sensitive, and it is easier if you don't have to worry about meeting clients and keeping up with your busy schedule.

Our Crown Process

When placing a dental crown around a tooth, Ready 2 Smile Dental Group starts by preparing the tooth. We will need to remove a portion of the enamel so that there is room for the new crown to surround the tooth without pushing other teeth out of place. Once complete, we will clean the tooth and secure a temporary crown to it using removable glue. Patients typically wear a temporary crown for around two weeks while waiting for a permanent one to be created in the lab. During this time, it is important to be careful with what you eat and how you brush your teeth since the temporary is designed to come off.

When the dental restoratives are complete, patients return to our Temecula dentist office, so that we can remove the temporaries and bond the permanent ones to the tooth. For a dental crown, we will secure the cap around the tooth and complete it through dental bonding. With a bridge, a crown is placed on the two teeth that are surrounding the missing one. On top of the crown is a piece that looks like natural gums that will hold the new tooth in place. These two crowns serve as anchors for this synthetic "bridge" and makes a new tooth as durable as it can be. Patients depend on this procedure as a way to replace missing teeth in a way that looks natural and restores the functionality of the missing tooth.

We Treat Teeth Like Crown Jewels

At Ready 2 Smile Dental Group, we are very familiar with how to provide and repair both dental crowns and bridges. If you are looking for a professional dentist in the Temecula, CA area to help achieve your dental dreams using high quality cosmetic dental services, contact us today. We can't wait to get started!