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Crowns & Bridges services offered in Miami, FL
If you want to stop hiding damaged, missing, or decayed teeth - crowns and bridges could be your secret to getting a smile you can’t wait to show off. Not all damaged or decayed teeth need to be pulled, and Evelyn Estefan, DDS, at Dora Dental Boutique & Spa in Miami, Florida, uses crowns and bridges to restore the function and appearance of damaged teeth or replace a missing tooth. Learn more by calling the office or scheduling an appointment online today.
Crowns & Bridges Q & A
What are crowns and bridges?
Dental crowns make it possible to save a decayed or damaged tooth. Used together, crowns and bridges replace one or more missing teeth with natural-looking, non-removable replacements.
Crowns
Dental crowns are custom-made caps of porcelain, metals, resin, or ceramics. Crowns restore the functionality of a damaged or decayed tooth and improve its appearance. Crowns fit securely over your existing tooth and protect it against future damage.
Bridges
True to their name, a dental bridge “bridges” the gap between your teeth caused by one or more missing teeth. A prosthetic tooth sits on the gumline in place of the missing tooth and is attached to crowns or dental implants on either side. The bridge keeps your teeth in their proper positions, eliminates the problem caused by the missing tooth or teeth, and restores your beautiful smile.
Missing teeth can present more than just cosmetic issues. Your remaining teeth may move out of position, and your bite may change due to missing one or more teeth, both of which can make chewing or speaking more difficult.
How many office visits are needed for crowns and bridges?
Most people will visit the office twice for crowns and bridges. If you’re getting a crown, Dr. Estefan carefully removes the decay from your tooth during your first appointment to prepare the tooth for the crown. She’ll take an impression of your teeth to send to the lab for creating your crown, along with radiographs of the area. When you leave the office after your first crown appointment, you wear a temporary crown to protect the tooth.
If you’re getting both a crown and bridge, Dr. Estefan prepares the teeth by removing the decay, making an impression of your mouth, and taking X-ray images. The laboratory uses the impression to create your prosthetic tooth to replace the missing tooth or teeth, and the crowns for the teeth on either side of the replacement tooth.
During your second crown appointment, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown or bridge is placed. Dr. Estefan adjusts the fit as necessary to ensure it fits securely and comfortably and then cements the crown to your existing tooth or attaches the bridge.
Is caring for crowns and bridges different from natural teeth?
There isn’t much you need to do differently to care for your crowns or bridges that you aren’t already doing for your natural teeth. Brush and floss twice daily to keep all of your teeth, including crowns and bridges, clean. Keep up with dental cleanings and exams twice each year.
Flossing under a bridge is slightly different from flossing your natural teeth since you need to get between the prosthetic tooth and the gums. A special flosser helps guide dental floss under the crown so you can keep the area clean.
Crowns and bridges are nearly as strong as your natural teeth, but avoid hard foods and ice which can crack or break them.
To find out if dental crowns and bridges can restore your teeth and give you a smile to be proud of, call Dora Dental Boutique or use the online tool to schedule an appointment. .