We are proud to offer our patients lifelike, sturdy, dental crowns and bridges. Our custom-made crowns can restore damaged teeth, and bridges replace missing teeth. Dr. Miranda provides natural-looking crowns and bridges to blend seamlessly with your natural smile. To learn more about dental crowns and bridges, contact our dental office today.
A dental crown is a full-coverage restoration of damaged or decayed teeth. It is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over the tooth to cover it, to improve appearance and restore shape, size, and strength. When cemented in place, a crown fully encases the entire portion of the tooth visible at and above the gumline.
Temporary crowns are usually made in the dentist’s office, while permanent crowns are typically fabricated in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns made of acrylic-based materials or stainless steel can be used as a temporary restoration while the permanent crown is being constructed in the lab.
Dr. Miranda will mold a cap to fit on top of a damaged tooth that is custom-made to match and work perfectly with your surrounding teeth. A dental crown may help with the following:
Help strengthen weakened or damaged teeth
Covering cavities too large for traditional fillings
Restoring damaged or decayed teeth
Enhancing the aesthetic look of oddly-shaped teeth or small teeth
Restoring balance to your bite
Concealing cosmetic flaws
Covering a dental implant
Holding a dental bridge in place
A crown typically takes two separate dental appointments. In the first appointment, the dentist prepares and shapes the tooth, takes an impression, and places a temporary crown. The tooth is usually numbed in advance of this procedure.
The way the tooth is shaped plays a role in retention and stability. The larger the remaining portion of the tooth that extends into the interior of the crown, and the more parallel its sides, the more stable the crown will be and the better it will remain in place.
After the first visit, the dental laboratory will fabricate the crown using the impression provided by the dentist. When the crown is ready, the patient returns for a second visit in which the crown is cemented into place. This final step is performed without anesthetic.
When placing a crown, Dr. Miranda reshapes the damaged tooth. By trimming away a small amount of your tooth, a strong base is created for the crown restoration. Impressions and photos of your teeth are taken and sent to a professional dental lab. Dr. Miranda then provides a temporary crown until your final crown is ready to install. Dr. Miranda will attach your uniquely-fitted crown using a specialized dental cement. Dr. Miranda also offers the option of dental implants to create a stable, permanent restoration by securing crowns to the jawbone.
A crown may be needed protect a weak tooth, restore a broken or decayed tooth, cover a misshapen or discolored tooth, create cosmetic modifications, hold a bridge in place, or cover an implant. A dental crown may be appropriate when:
For children, a crown may be used on primary (baby) teeth in several possible situations:
A dental bridge may be recommended if you have a tooth missing, or a severely decayed or broken tooth that is not stable enough to hold a dental crown. A bridge can be supported by natural teeth, implants, or a combination of the two.
A bridge is typically made by creating a crown on either side of the space where a tooth is missing or needs to be removed and placing a false tooth (or teeth) between the crowns. This tooth replacement technique may be appropriate if adjacent teeth have large fillings and will need crowns or caps in the future.
Dental crowns and bridges are now available in a variety of materials. During your consultation with Dr. Miranda, he will help you decide which material is best for your aesthetic aims, health needs, and what fits your budget or your dental insurance program. Your choice of materials used in crowns and bridges include:
This is the most natural-looking option. Crowns can be shaded to match your real teeth. Some types of porcelain crowns are as strong as metal, and highly durable.
These crowns are long-lasting and can be color-matched to your natural teeth. Over time, the darker color of the metal under the porcelain may start to show through.
Most commonly used metals are silver, gold, and other very durable metals. Metal teeth will NOT aesthetically blend in with your natural smile.
Prefabricated crowns made of stainless steel can be used on the teeth temporarily. In the initial visit for placement of a crown, the dentist trims and shapes the tooth and takes an impression to send to a dental laboratory. The stainless steel temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent crown is being fabricated in the lab.
Patients who suffer with one or missing teeth need a strong, long-lasting option other than dentures. Dental implants might be the right choice for you. Contact the dental office of Dr. Miranda today to discuss how dental implants might benefit you. He and his qualified, dedicated staff are ready to help you get the easy, confident smile you want.
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*THE CONTENT/IMAGES ON THIS WEBSITE ARE NOT A GUARANTEE OF INDIVIDUAL RESULTS. INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS SITE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND DOES NOT REPLACE THE NEED FOR A FORMAL CONSULTATION.
