Metal-Free Crowns And Bridges in Orange County, Anaheim, Laguna Woods & Mission Viejo

The crown of a natural tooth is that portion which is covered with enamel and is generally above the gum line. If the enamel is defective because of discoloration, decay, or a crack, the defective enamel is usually removed and replaced with a new covering which is also called a crown. This is the type of crown referred to in these answers.

Crowns can be made of all metal, porcelain fused to metal, all porcelain, and ceramic material. Some people choose metal crowns because they are nearly indestructible, whereas porcelain crowns may chip or crack. On the other hand, they are quite expensive, being made from all gold or a mixture containing gold. Porcelain crowns are more attractive than metal, matching the natural tooth color. The porcelain fused to metal crowns are stronger than the all porcelain crowns, and they require less tooth reduction.Ceramic crowns made of a type of zirconia are the newest type. They are stronger than porcelain and also considerably more expensive.

The patient is anesthetized, and the tooth is prepared by grinding it down. The tooth is prepared below the gum line so the metal margins of the crown will not be visible when the final crown is inserted. After the preparation, an impression is taken of the teeth in the arch where the prepared tooth lies and one of the opposing teeth. This impressions are sent to a lab which specializes in making dental crowns. In about three weeks, a finished crown will come back from the lab. The finished crown is then cemented to the prepared tooth using a cement appropriate for the type of crown being used.

For the first day after the crown is placed, your dentist may recommend not chewing sticky or very hard foods with that tooth. Otherwise, crowns should be considered part of your teeth and subject to regular oral hygiene, such as correct brushing, flossing and regular dental exams.

A bridge is a restoration that fills the space where one or more teeth have been lost. A fixed bridge is bonded or cemented in place. It is attached to the teeth on either side after they have been prepared.Some bridges have a metal base covered with tooth colored porcelain and others are all porcelain.Nowadays dental porcelain is very strong and all-porcelain bridges are esthetically superior to those with a metal base.

On the patient’s first visit, the dentist will shape the teeth on either side of the gap and take an impression of these and the space between. This is sent to the lab for fabrication of the bridge. The dentist will place a temporary bridge to protect the exposed teeth in the interim. The bridge made at the lab consists of a “pontic” replacing the lost tooth and crowns that cover the prepared teeth on each side. On the second visit, it will be cemented in place. Occasionally, the procedure will require three visits.