Crowns & Bridges

Broken, misshapen, or missing teeth can impact your tooth function and appearance. Ginger Rome, DDS, Laura Santo Salvo, DDS, and the team at The Dentists at North Cypress in Houston, Texas, use crowns and bridges to restore the health and beauty of your smile. These custom restorations blend in seamlessly with your teeth and protect them from damage. Call the dental clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are crowns and bridges?

Crowns and bridges are restorations designed to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. They can work together, or crowns can function on their own. 

Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped covering that fits over the crown, the visible portion of your tooth. Crowns can restore damaged or decayed teeth to their natural appearance and function. They can cover individual teeth or connect to bridges and dental implants.

Bridges

Bridges replace missing teeth. These custom-made devices include two crowns and artificial teeth in the middle. The crowns fit over your supporting teeth, called abutments, which help hold the bridge securely in place.

After a comprehensive dental evaluation, the team can determine whether you’re a candidate for crowns, bridges, or both.

What can crowns and bridges treat?

Dental crowns can restore the function and appearance of your teeth if you have:

• Chipped teeth
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Severe tooth decay
• Worn teeth
• Teeth treated with root canal therapy
• Missing teeth

At The Dentists at North Cypress, the team offers porcelain crowns to color-match the natural shade of your teeth. Porcelain is a durable and stain-resistant material that can enhance your smile.

What happens during the crowns and bridges process?

Crowns and bridges take at least two visits to plan and place. During the first appointment, the team cleans your teeth and performs a dental exam complete with digital X-rays. The planning process allows the team to determine which type of bridge is right for you. While there are several types, the most common is a traditional fixed bridge.

Next, the team administers a local anesthetic to numb your mouth while they reshape your teeth. Reducing your tooth size ensures your crowns fit comfortably in your mouth. After taking digital impressions, the team sends your scans to a dental lab to create your crowns and bridges. It takes about two to three weeks, so you’ll wear temporary restorations while you wait.

At your final visit, the team places your permanent crowns and bridges. They work with you to make sure the devices fit comfortably before they cement them in place. You can start eating and drinking about one hour after your visit.

Call The Dentists at North Cypress today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about crowns and bridges.