Crowns & Bridges in Scarborough, Toronto, ON

Crowns

Many dental procedures serve multiple functions, such as crowns, which can protect and enhance your smile simultaneously. Dental crowns are synthetic “caps”, placed on top of a tooth to improve its strength, appearance, shape and/or alignment. Crowns are custom-made in a laboratory to fit your unique mouth and smile, and are usually fabricated using  zirconia, pure porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal.

Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore and strengthen the damaged tooth and prevent the new filling from breaking off. 

Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, and to prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse. Additionally, porcelain crowns are often  used for aesthetic purposes and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.

Bridges

A bridge is a natural-looking dental appliance used to “bridge” the gap between missing teeth. A dental bridge serves a variety of functions  including improving the appearance of your smile, restoring the ability to chew and speak, maintaining the shape of your face, and preventing teeth from moving out of position. Custom-made bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.

Bridges are bonded to existing teeth or implants, and are usually made with porcelain-fused-to-metal, zirconia or pure porcelain. A well-constructed bridge can last many years with proper oral care.

Both crowns and bridges completely cover the teeth above the gum line. When crafted from today's high-tech porcelains (dental ceramics), crowns and bridges are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth, and can even be designed to improve upon a tooth's original appearance. 

Your Crown or Bridge Procedure  

Your crown or bridge procedure typically takes two visits to complete.

At your first visit, we’ll work with you in selecting the colour and shade of your new crown or bridge to match beautifully with your adjacent teeth.  We’ll then prepare and shape your tooth/teeth to make the crown or bridge. After taking an impression of your teeth, we’ll fit you with a temporary crown/bridge  while your permanent one is being fabricated, which usually takes approximately 2 weeks.

At your second visit, after removing the temporary crown/bridge, your new crown or bridge will be fitted properly and then bonded to your teeth. We’ll make any adjustments necessary to ensure your bite is balanced and feels comfortable. Welcome to your new smile!  

The Crown Procedure

At the first visit, your tooth is prepared to receive its new crown. First, it is shaped to fit inside the new covering. If there is very little tooth structure left to begin with, the tooth may need to be built up with filling material, rather than filed down, to support the crown. 

After the tooth is prepared, impressions of your teeth are taken. The impressions are used to make models of your teeth, which are sent to the dental lab. The models will serve as guides to the highly skilled lab technicians, who will ensure that your new crown is designed to enhance your smile and function well within your bite.

Before you leave the office, we'll fit you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent crown is ready. At the second visit, your permanent crown will be bonded to your tooth and we'll make sure your bite is balanced .

The Bridge Procedure

A bridge is used to “bridge” the gap between missing teeth by using connected "crowns" to  span the space. This usually requires at least three crowns.  

A bridge is used to "bridge" the gap between missing teeth by using connected "crowns" to span the space. This usually requires at least 3 crowns.  

Two of those crowns will be placed over healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth; these existing teeth are referred to as abutment teeth. The two crowned abutment teeth become supports for a third crown placed in between them; that third crown is referred to as a pontic. If more than one tooth is missing, more crowns will be needed to bridge the gap in between the abutment teeth.

Engineering and designing of the bridge requires an understanding of how to replace teeth, as well as the biology of the supporting gum and bone tissue.

Caring for Your Crowns & Bridgework

Crowns and bridgework require the same conscientious care as your natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss between all of your teeth every day to reduce the buildup of dental plaque or collection of debris around the teeth. When you have crowns or bridgework, it is even more important to maintain your regular cleanings at your dental office. 

Certain behaviors can significantly shorten the life of your restoration. Long-term teeth grinding can damage your crown or bridge. This can be prevented by wearing a nightguard during sleep. Biting on hard foods such as nuts, bones, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion or even chip your crown or bridge. With proper care, your new crown or bridge can last up to 10 -15 years or longer. 

Want to repair your smile with our Crowns & Bridges services?
Then call our Scarborough, Toronto, ON office today at (416) 321-9500
for more information or to book an appointment!