Dental Bridges in University Place, Washington

Bridges

Dental porcelain is remarkable in its ability to replicate both the form and function of original teeth. Whether you’re looking at porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or a fixed bridge in University Place, WA, Puget Sound Dental Clinic can provide the longevity, durability, and esthetic you desire.

A porcelain fixed dental bridge is very useful when replacing a tooth or a couple of teeth that are no longer viable. The porcelain can be sculpted to replicate the look of natural tooth enamel and using this durable material gives your bridge a strong base to rely upon.

Porcelain is so flexible in its design capabilities that it can be used not only to replace lost teeth, but also to improve the original appearance of those teeth and create a flawless replacement.

PORCELAIN FIXED DENTAL BRIDGE CONSULTATION

There are different ways to replace missing or damaged teeth, so a dental health professional should be contacted if this is a problem you are facing. Your teeth will carefully be examined and the right course of treatment will be pursued.

If you think a porcelain bridge is an avenue you want to explore, be certain you raise this with your AACD member dentist. He or she will explain the benefits of using porcelain and the few pitfalls you may run across. Make sure you express your concerns and if the main reason you’re seeking porcelain is cosmetic, don’t be ashamed to admit it; you will quickly discover that porcelain is excellent for esthetic reasons, but also has some highly desirable functional benefits as well.

THE HOWS AND WHYS OF A PORCELAIN FIXED BRIDGE

A porcelain fixed bridge replaces missing teeth by using the surrounding teeth as a foundation. This creates a literal “bridge” between the remaining teeth and the missing teeth.

Dental porcelain is a great product because it can be shaped to replicate original teeth and fit comfortably within the established bite pattern. Porcelain is also very durable, will withstand most natural tooth functions, and can vividly mimic tooth enamel with its glass-like whiteness and translucence, which allows light to penetrate and scatter as it does with natural organic teeth.

MAINTENANCE OF A PORCELAIN FIXED BRIDGE

Maintaining a porcelain bridge is actually quite simple. Treat your bridge in the same manner as you would original teeth, with routine brushing with non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and regular flossing.

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to evaluate your bridge shortly after it’s placed, so the dentist can review his or her handiwork and see how your mouth is reacting to the treatment. Even if you think everything feels perfect, this appointment is vital to your future oral health.

Crowns

Dental porcelain can be sculpted to closely replicate the look of natural tooth enamel, while providing desirable strength and resilience. Porcelain dental crowns are an excellent choice when recreating the form and function of a damaged tooth, because a crown basically replaces the entire external portion of the tooth down to the gum level. Crowns are not limited to simply replacing the original tooth, but can be designed to create an even better esthetic appearance.

COSMETIC INLAYS AND ONLAYS

Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations that can be used to help an otherwise healthy tooth with a large filling. Inlays are placed within the grooves between the cusps (points) of a tooth, whereas onlays are placed within the grooves and over the cusp tips. Your AACD member dentist can help determine which restoration is better for you. Inlays and onlays can be used to replace old filings, and are more esthetically pleasing because they can be made to match a tooth’s natural color. Aside from improving a tooth’s appearance, inlays and onlays can strengthen the structure of a tooth because of their durability and longevity.

DENTAL CROWN CONSULTATION

Dental Crowns can be selected for necessity or cosmetic reasons. No matter what the case, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your AACD dental professional. The dentist will examine your teeth and in some cases will immediately see that a tooth crown is the best option. In other situations where the problems aren’t so obvious, you may need to express your concerns and discuss your future smile goals so both you and your dentist have all the facts.

THE HOWS AND WHYS OF PORCELAIN DENTAL CROWNS

Porcelain dental crowns replace the exterior portion of a tooth to reestablish its original function and to create a natural appearance. Crowns are the treatment of choice in situations where tooth decay has destroyed most of the original tooth, when a traumatic event has caused damage, or in cases of severe enamel erosion. They are also an option for people who grind and clench their teeth so much that the original structure of their teeth has been compromised.

The great benefit to porcelain crowns is they can not only replicate the original tooth in function, but can be designed to look like the original–or even better. When patients select a porcelain veneer for cosmetic reasons, they’re usually covering up the front portion of the tooth that has some esthetic flaw. A porcelain crown is thicker than a veneer and, in some situations, this thickness is needed. A porcelain crown can be used for cosmetic reasons, but it’s best to seek the advice of an AACD member dentist.

Crowns and veneers are situated and secured in the mouth in a similar fashion, using a light-sensitive resin placed between the original tooth and crown, and then hardening that resin with a special curing light.

Partial crowns, often referred to as onlays, are a type of restoration or filling that covers one or more cusps. An inlay is similar to a filling but the work resides completely within the cusps on a tooth’s chewing surface. These restorations are much more conservative than crowns, and can be imperceptible from your natural tooth.

POTENTIAL CROWN DOWNSIDES

Porcelain dental crowns do require some laboratory time to be created and times vary according to the laboratory and its distance from your dentist, so expect to be fitted with a temporary, or provisional, crown for a while.

Some patients may experience sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures after porcelain crowns are attached. It’s best to consult with your dentist for more information about your individual case.

While porcelain crowns are very durable, they do not have the flexibility of natural teeth, so avoiding certain foods may be necessary. Chronic tooth-grinders and jaw-clenchers will need to be fitted with a nighttime mouth guard to protect the porcelain from unnecessary and excessive pressure and use.

MAINTENANCE OF A PORCELAIN CROWN

Maintaining porcelain dental crowns is actually quite simple. Much like your original teeth, they require routine brushing with non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and regular flossing.

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to evaluate the crowns shortly after they’re placed, so the dentist can review the work and see how your mouth is reacting to the crowns. Even if you think the crowns are successful, this follow-up appointment is an important part of your future oral health.

Sources:
http://yoursmilebecomesyou.com/procedures/porcelain-fixed-bridges/
http://yoursmilebecomesyou.com/procedures/porcelain-crowns/

If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (253) 627-2648.