Bridges

Care You Can Count On

Dr. Raffi Yessayantz DDS

Bridges

A bridge may be a good choice for you if you have one or more missing teeth that are surrounded by healthy teeth on either side. The bridge itself is a custom-made device with artificial teeth that are attached to a gum-colored plastic base that fills the gap left by missing teeth. Most bridges have a standard life of 10-20 years if they are properly cared for.

Types of Bridges

Bridges come in two forms, removable and fixed. A removable bridge can be removed by the wearer on a daily basis for cleaning, while a fixed bridge is permanently anchored in the mouth and can only be removed by a specialist.

The Process

The process of creating and securing a bridge is two-fold. In the first visit, a local anesthetic is administered so the Dentist can prepare the abutments (a support structure for the bridge) and then a putty-like material is used to create a mold of your teeth so the bridge can be made. The Dentist will secure a temporary bridge at this point to protect your teeth and gums until your personalized bridge is completed. The second visit is when the Dentist will fit and properly attach your custom bridge.

Crowns

A crown may be the right choice for you if you need to restore and protect a tooth that is misshaped, decayed, severely discolored, worn, cracked, or broken. Crowns are also used to cover a dental implant or hold a dental bridge in place.

Types of Crowns

There are three types of crowns: full porcelain, full-metal, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. The proper crown for you will be determined by your Dentist. All crowns are permanent and with proper care can last between 5 and 15 years.

  • Full porcelain crowns offer the best match to your teeth’s natural color and are strong, resistant to wear, stable, and attractive. They are unlikely to cause adverse reactions because they are completely void of metal.
  • Full metal crowns are most often used on the back teeth, where the force exerted from chewing is the greatest, as they rarely chip or break. However, these types of crowns can cause allergic reactions and gumline discoloration in some individuals due to their metal construction.
  • Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer a natural surface color that matches the rest of your teeth with a strong metal substructure, but they require the removal of more tooth structure than other crowns and can cause increased discomfort during the application procedure.

The Process

Metal and porcelain-metal crowns

These types of crowns are created and applied in two visits. During the first visit, the Dentist uses a putty-like material to make a mold of your teeth for the crown to be fabricated from and then applies a temporary crown to protect your tooth/implant and gums. At the second visit, your permanent crown is bonded to your tooth/dental implant and you’re free to go.

Porcelain crowns

  • These crowns are available in two treatment methods: CEREC CAD/CAM and Lava.
  • CEREC CAD/CAM: This method can be completed in just one office visit. Your unique crown is created in office using CEREC CAD/CAM technology and is applied the same day.
  • Lava: This method can be completed in two office visits. During the first visit, your crown will be designed using our CEREC CAD/CAM technology to guarantee the highest level of natural translucency and a temporary crown will be applied to protect your tooth/gums. When you return for the second visit, your Dentist will fit and permanently bond your custom crown.

Request An Appointment Contact Us: 818-243-5888

Services

Hillside Dental Group