Philadelphia, PA dentist discusses the importance of dental crowns and bridges for teeth restoration
Dr. David Spilkia is a dentist in Philadelphia, PA with a practice dedicated to improving the health and appearance of patients’ smiles. Individuals may encounter a variety of dental concerns over the course of their lifetime, some that can have a significantly negative impact on oral health. When patients need restorations, dental crowns and bridges are a common solution. Crowns and bridges are effective, affordable, and natural looking ways to improve the health, function, and appearance of a damaged smile.
Patient in the Philadelphia, PA area should call the office of David Spilkia Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at (267) 463-2777 to schedule a visit and learn more about dental crown and bridges.
What are crowns?
Dental crowns are a type of restoration that is custom fabricated to protect, strengthen, or cosmetically alter a compromised tooth. Sometimes called caps, crowns are most commonly used when a tooth has been affected by serious decay or trauma. One example is a tooth that has recently undergone root canal therapy. Root canals are very effective at removing infected tooth pulp and preventing extraction, however they leave the natural tooth brittle and prone to breakage. By placing a dental crown over the natural tooth, patients can bite and chew without the risk of the tooth cracking under pressure.
Other situations in which a dental crown may be recommended include:
- When a tooth requires a large filling due to a cavity
- When a tooth has been cracked or broken due to facial injury
- When a tooth is severely misshapen or discolored
- When a dental implant is placed
- When a dental bridge needs to be held in place
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The dental crown process
Dental crowns are designed to fit over a natural tooth after a small portion of the structure is removed. This allows the crown to sit at the same height as the neighboring teeth. The dental crown process begins with this removal of enamel and then impressions are taken of the tooth or teeth. These molds are then sent to a dental laboratory along with color specifications to fabricate the crown to look natural within the smile. During the interim, patients will be fitted with a temporary crown to protect the tooth. When the final restoration is complete, patients will return to have the temporary crown removed and the, permanent crown placed. Small adjustments can be made to the color, size, shape, and length of the crown to ensure that it fits properly.
What are dental bridges?
Dental bridges are used to fill the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. When a patient loses teeth, they must be replaced as soon as possible to preserve oral health. When gaps are left in the smile it can lead to the shifting of remaining teeth and deterioration of the jawbone.
A dental bridge is made up of dental crowns attached to artificial teeth known as pontics. The crowns are placed on healthy teeth adjacent to each side of the gap. The entire bridge appliance is held in place by the crowns for an affordable and long-lasting solution to missing teeth. With dental bridges, patients can eat, smile, and speak with confidence and ease.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
There are many benefits to dental bridges from David Spilkia Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. The biggest, most obvious benefit is a smile that looks and feels complete. Other advantages of dental bridges include:
- Natural looking
- Fast
- Durable
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
Learn more about dental crowns and bridges at David Spilkia Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Dr. Spilkia and his team have one major goal: for all their patients to have a beautiful, healthy smile that they can enjoy. Dental crowns and bridges are two restorations that are used frequently to meet that goal. If you have damaged teeth or are missing teeth, dental crowns and bridges can help restore health to your mouth and leave you with the confidence to smile again. In addition to crowns and bridges, we also provide comprehensive cosmetic, restorative and general dentistry services to keep your smile looking and feeling great. If you are in Philadelphia, PA and have questions about our services, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, we invite you to call us today at (267) 463-2777.
Dr. David Spilkia - David Spilkia Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Among the range of cosmetic and general dentistry procedures provided by Dr. Spilkia are restorative dentistry, dental implants, smile makeovers, and Invisalign orthodontics.
