Porcelain Crowns and Bridges

At Media Dental Associates, we use porcelain crowns and bridges to return strength to damaged teeth and to replace missing teeth. While the two are different dental prostheses, crowns are an integral part of every bridge. Both play a role in our Smile Makeovers.

We use only porcelain for our crowns and bridges, as it mimics the reflection characteristics of natural enamel and is exceptionally strong and durable. Our restorations will look completely natural and will give you renewed confidence. You’ll have a smile you’ll be proud to show off!

What Is A Porcelain Crown?

When a tooth either has extensive decay or inherent problems such as a crack or chip, we use a crown to return function and strength. A crown is a porcelain restoration that covers a cracked or chipped tooth to help your tooth function and gain back strength. In addition to damaged teeth, crowns can be used to cover misshapen teeth or to fill uneven gaps. They also serve as the anchors for dental bridges.

What Problems Do Porcelain Crowns Correct?

At Media Dental Associates, we use porcelain crowns for these dental problems:

• Teeth with overly large fillings
• Severely worn teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Broken or fractured teeth
• Heavily decayed teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Severely discolored teeth
• Teeth that have had a root canal
• Teeth on both sides of a bridge

Am I A Candidate For A Porcelain Crown?

If you have cracked, chipped, misshapen teeth, or if you have a dental bridge, then you may be an ideal candidate for a porcelain crown. During your initial consultation, we will be able to better determine whether or not a porcelain crown is right for you.

How Are Porcelain Crowns Placed?

Placing a porcelain crown requires two visits. During your first visit, we prepare the tooth. Decayed or damaged areas of the tooth are removed and the tooth is thoroughly cleaned. To make room for the crown, we then shave off a portion of the tooth enamel. Following that, we take impressions and photos to send to the dental lab to create your porcelain crown. Fabrication takes about one week, and we place a temporary crown on your tooth in the meantime.

When your crown is finished you return for your second appointment. First, we check the fit and color match of your crown. We may make some minor adjustments to ensure the perfect fit. Then we cement the crown onto your tooth permanently.

How Long Do Crowns Last?

With proper care, there is no upper limit to how long porcelain crowns from Media Dental Associates can last. Their lifespan is often contingent upon the health of the underlying tooth and surrounding gums, which will depend on your home hygiene.

Porcelain Crowns Maintenance Near Delaware County

Taking care of your dental crowns is pretty straightforward. Just like you usually would, make sure to brush and floss your teeth and dental crowns at least twice a day, and come into Media Dental Associates every six months for preventative dental cleanings. If your crown chips or breaks at any point, schedule an appointment with our office and we will get it taken care of.

Porcelain Crowns VS Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain shells that are applied only to the fronts of the teeth. They are typically only used as part of a cosmetic smile makeover. A crown completely covers the tooth and returns strength to a tooth that is damaged or heavily decayed.

What Is A Porcelain Bridge?

At Media Dental Associates, we use porcelain bridges to literally “bridge the gap” between one or more missing teeth. A porcelain bridge is a dental prosthesis that is most commonly used to replace missing teeth and is cemented to either your natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. During this process, dental crowns are traditionally placed over your natural teeth on both sides of the gap to act as anchors to support the false teeth.

How Is A Porcelain Bridge Placed?

Placing a porcelain bridge requires two appointments. At first, the teeth on each side of the gap are prepared for their crowns. As described above, this involves removing some of the enamel to make room for the crown. Once this is done, we take impressions for the fabrication of your bridge.

When the dental lab has finished your bridge, you return for the second appointment. We then test the fit and the color match with your adjacent teeth, making adjustments as necessary. Sometimes, we’ll place your new bridge with temporary cement to allow you to test the fit during normal use before we permanently cement it into place.

How Long Do Bridges Last?

With proper care, there is no upper limit to how long a dental bridge can last. The key is the health of the supporting teeth that secure the bridge.

Porcelain Bridge Maintenance

Maintenance for a porcelain bridge is basically the same as with a porcelain crown. Make sure that you are brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day and that you are getting regular preventative dental cleanings from Media Dental Associates located near Philadelphia. Additionally, try to avoid chewing on things like straws that can chip your teeth.

Why Porcelain?

There are many benefits of both porcelain crowns and porcelain bridges. One of the biggest advantages is that porcelain is exceptionally durable and can last an entire lifetime in some instances. Additionally, porcelain is relatively affordable, safe for your mouth, and can even be matched to your existing teeth.

How Do Bridges Compare With Dental Implants?

A bridge fills the gap from a missing tooth or teeth with a false tooth that covers down to the gumline but not below. Patients with bridges need to floss and clean beneath the false tooth to keep bacteria from building up. Bridges require that crowns cover the teeth on both sides of the gap to support the false tooth or teeth filling the gap.

A dental implant fully replaces a missing tooth. A dental implant is anchored by a titanium implant that is screwed down into the jawbone in the space formerly occupied by the tooth root. Then the jawbone is given time to accept and grow around the implant, making it a part of the jawbone. Following the healing process, a post is attached with a false tooth (crown) atop that. An implant replaces a missing tooth and doesn’t impact the adjacent teeth. Also, dental implants can last the remainder of the patient’s life.

Schedule A Consultation

Porcelain crowns and porcelain bridges are two of the most popular treatments that we offer at Smile Texas here near the Houston area. If you have a cracked, chipped, damaged, or missing tooth, let us help restore your smile and gain back your confidence! To learn more about Porcelain Crowns & Bridges or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call (610) 565-0525.