Tooth-Coloured & Real-Looking Dental Crowns & Dental Bridges in Kansas City

Crown and Bridge FAQs

What Is A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are one way that dentists can replace a damaged or missing tooth. The dental crown is referred to as a cap and can look like a natural tooth. So if you have a damaged tooth, a dental crown can restore your smile to normal in no time. 

Dental crowns are actually fixed prosthetic devices, unlike dentures which you can take out daily. These devices are cemented into existing teeth or dental implants and can only be removed by a dentist. 

You can strengthen a damaged tooth by capping it with a crown. This will reduce the likelihood of the tooth needing to be removed altogether. 

Like implants, dental crowns are tooth-shaped and tooth-colored. Made from either porcelain or ceramic, they look like your remaining teeth and add functionality back. 

A dental crown can:

• Replace a large filling when there wasn’t enough tooth left
• Protect a weak tooth to keep it from fracturing
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant, a discolored or poorly shaped tooth, or a tooth that has a root canal

How Does a Dental Crown Procedure Work?

The dental crown procedure is essentially fitting an artificial tooth over a damaged tooth to protect it. But how does the dental crown procedure work?

The procedure for a dental crown requires multiple visits. At first, you’ll need to X-ray the tooth that is getting the crown to prepare the crown and surrounding areas. Work may be needed to remove tooth decay with a root canal, especially if there is an infection or injury to the tooth’s pulp.

Once the preparation and any repairs are completed, the tooth is filed down on the sides and the top to allow room for the crown. This fitting portion will be unique to each person’s mouth, so it varies. 

Once it’s reshaped, putty or paste is applied to the tooth, also called an impression, which will receive the crown. The impression of the teeth above and below the tooth also is completed to receive the crown properly and not affect your bite. The impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory where your crown is made.

A few weeks later, your permanent crown can be placed. This placement checks that the fit is right and everything is okay. If so, then you can get the crown added. Applying a crown often only requires a local anesthetic or numbing agent, if any!

It is also possible to get a same day crown, made with a scanning device that creates a 3D model of the tooth from the pictures, and the crown is generated using a CAD machine and 3D printing in 15 minutes.

Dental Crown Costs and Expectations

Because dental crowns can be made out of several materials, including ceramic, porcelain, gold, metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic, it can be difficult to understand the cost fully. It’s best to schedule an appointment to fully understand the costs and insurance coverage for your situation.

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What Is A Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are often used together with a dental crown. The dental bridge is very similar to the dental crown except that it is covering more than one tooth, typically. 

Bridges also use abutments or anchor teeth to secure the bridge. The replacement tooth or pontic is attached to the crowns that cover the abutment. Similarly, there are many different types of materials used for bridges, and they improve the overall aesthetic appearance.

Gaps left by missing teeth can cause structural problems, so a dental bridge can fill that larger cap and keep your teeth evenly spaced. This can also reduce the imbalances that missing teeth cause, like gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorders or disorders of the TMJ.

How Dental Bridge Procedure Works

The dental bridge procedure is a multi-stage process similar to the dental crown. Since there is more than one space for teeth to be adjusted, this may take a little longer. The dentist must first prepare the space around the teeth for the bridge. If more than one tooth is being removed due to decay, this, too, can add more time. 

Same as the crown, the fittings are mounted onto the teeth and teeth gap and then fitted properly. Bridges are normally attached to the teeth next to where the bridge will go to ensure they stay in place. Sometimes, you may have to turn to implant dentistry and get an implant supported bridge. 

Dental Bridge Costs and Expectations

The cost of your dental bridge can vary depending on several factors. Most importantly, the materials.

Crowns and bridges can be made with resin, pressed ceramic, all-ceramic, all-porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or metal. 

Depending on which crown or bridge material you use, this will affect the cost and how long it takes for the crown to be ready.

All of these factors will determine the cost of your dental bridge, as well as the number of bridges you need or the size. 

Schedule an appointment in our Kansas City office today to discuss your dental bridge or crown today.

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