If you are missing teeth, you are probably wondering what your options are for completing your smile. Your St. Petersburg dentist may have mentioned both dental bridges and crowns, but it can be difficult to know which option is best for you. At Dolphin Dental, we want to clear up any confusion you might have, and we want to help you make the right decision for your dentition.
Crowns, typically made of either gold or porcelain, are a cap placed over a tooth to restore its overall appearance. They can be used on teeth that are decayed, broken, discolored, or extremely worn down. Crowns that are to be placed in the back of the mouth may have a gold substructure under the porcelain or may be completely made of gold in certain situations, while the visible, up front ones will be made of more natural looking porcelain.
Dental bridges are permanent false teeth that will close a gap where the missing one(s) originally was. The false tooth is held in place by attachments to the surrounding ones. They are aesthetically pleasing, allow you to chew normally, maintain your face shape, and keep remaining teeth in their proper position. The most important thing your dentist will tell you about bridges is that you must keep up with oral hygiene to ensure the attachments stay healthy and free from plaque and other debris. As long as you floss and brush twice a day, your dental bridge will continue to look natural.
Both dental bridges and crowns typically last around 15 to 20 years, but should be regularly checked by your St. Petersburg dentist. Regardless of which option you think is best for you, when you come to Dolphin Dental, you can feel confident that your new smile will look amazing.
The Process
If you decide that a bridge is the best for you, we will need two appointments to complete the process. The initial one will consist of preparation of the teeth and creating a mold of where it will go to ensure a perfect and comfortable fit. We will also give you a temporary one to wear until the second appointment, at which time the permanent dental bridge will be put into place. Some adjustments may be necessary so that it feels completely comfortable.
Regardless of if you are still unsure about which you should choose, call us today at 727-393-9334. We would be happy to sit down with you and discuss the advantages of each option, and which we think you would benefit from most.
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