Missing or damaged teeth can affect your confidence, comfort, and oral health. At Aventura Dentistry, dental crowns and bridges provide reliable, long-term solutions to rebuild your smile and restore proper chewing and speaking function. These restorations are custom-designed to look natural, feel comfortable, and protect your remaining teeth.
Whether you are repairing a weakened tooth or replacing one or more missing teeth, crowns and bridges can help you smile with confidence again.
Why Might You Need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are recommended when a tooth is too damaged to be restored with a filling alone. They act like a protective cap that fully covers the tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance.
Dental crowns are commonly used to:
- Protect teeth weakened by large or old fillings
- Restore teeth after root canal therapy
- Repair cracked or broken teeth
- Rebuild teeth severely damaged by decay
- Improve the appearance of misshapen or discolored teeth
Once placed, a crown allows you to eat, brush, and floss comfortably while preserving the remaining natural tooth structure.
Why Might You Need a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. It works by anchoring artificial teeth to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
Benefits of dental bridges include:
- Restoring your ability to chew and speak properly
- Preventing nearby teeth from shifting out of position
- Improving facial balance and smile appearance
- Offering a fixed, non-removable tooth replacement option
- Providing an alternative when dental implants are not suitable
Bridges help restore both function and aesthetics, making everyday activities easier and more comfortable.
Types of Dental Bridges Available
Several bridge designs may be recommended based on your oral health needs:
- Traditional Dental Bridge: Uses crowns on adjacent teeth to support one or more replacement teeth in between.
- Cantilever Bridge: Anchored to a single adjacent tooth; used only in select cases due to bite stress.
- Maryland Bridge: Uses a metal or ceramic framework bonded to the backs of nearby teeth rather than crowns.
- Implant-Supported Bridge: Secured by dental implants instead of natural teeth for added strength and stability.
Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate option based on tooth location, bite forces, and long-term health.
Types of Dental Crowns Available
While all crowns serve the same purpose, materials vary to suit different needs:
- Stainless Steel Crowns – Commonly used as temporary or pediatric crowns
- Metal Crowns – Highly durable and often used for back teeth
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) – Combines strength with a natural appearance
- All-Resin Crowns – Tooth-colored and cost-effective
- All-Ceramic / All-Porcelain Crowns – Highly aesthetic and ideal for visible teeth
Material selection depends on durability needs, tooth location, and cosmetic preferences.
How Are Dental Crowns and Bridges Placed?
The placement process typically requires two visits.
First Visit – Preparation
- The tooth (or teeth) is numbed for comfort
- Decay or damage is removed
- The tooth is reshaped
- Digital or physical impressions are taken
- A temporary crown or bridge is placed for protection
Second Visit – Final Placement
- The temporary restoration is removed
- The permanent crown or bridge is carefully fitted
- Adjustments are made for comfort and bite
- The restoration is permanently secured
The result is a strong, functional, and natural-looking restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns and Bridges
Restore Your Smile Today
If damaged or missing teeth are holding you back, dental crowns and bridges can help restore both function and confidence. Contact Aventura Dentistry today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward a healthier, more complete smile.
