Dental Crowns & Bridges – Charlottesville, VA
Give Your Damaged Teeth a Second Chance!
If you’re experiencing dental disease, our Charlottesville dentistry practice can help. Restorative dentistry procedures can return oral health and give you a new lease on life. In addition, you’ll experience the confidence a beautiful smile provides. If you’re missing a tooth or have a severely compromised tooth and aren’t a candidate for dental implants, talk to Dr. Lippard about dental crowns and bridges.
There are many causes of tooth loss. When a tooth is heavily affected by decay, it may not be salvageable through more conservative methods, such as a filling, a dental crown, or root canal. To make sure the disease does not spread to the surrounding teeth and tissues, the tooth may need to be extracted. Trauma is another common reason for tooth loss. Additionally, patients with advanced gum disease may suffer from tooth loss.
In order to replace the missing tooth and restore integrity, Dr. Lippard may suggest a fixed, non-removable bridge. The crown and bridge uses a handcrafted prosthetic tooth, called a pontic, which spans the gap and is attached to the adjacent healthy teeth by the way of crowns. As with dental crowns, Dr. Lippard offers a choice of material for your crown and bridge and will help you decide which is best based on the location of your missing tooth.
Why Choose Hal M. Lippard, DDS for Dental Crowns & Bridges?
- Long-Lasting, Durable and Designed to Last
- Tooth-Colored Options for Better Esthetics
- Ideal for Replacing Single or Multiple Teeth
Dental Crowns
There are a number of reasons why you may need a dental crown. Our Charlottesville dental practice sees many professional, adult patients, and a common issue is decay around an existing filling. If it’s a large filling to start, or if the area of decay is large, a dental crown may be needed. Dental crowns restore strength and viability to a tooth where more structure must be removed due to decay.
In addition, you may require a dental crown if you tooth has been compromised by a crack or break. By supporting the remaining tooth structure, a dental crown returns the function of your tooth. Dr. Lippard will provide an all-porcelain dental crown for a front tooth where biting forces are less. When providing a dental crown for a back tooth, we may suggest porcelain-fused metal for additional strength.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are designed to replace missing teeth, either as a result of tooth decay or physical injury that left them knocked-out. Whether you need to replace a single tooth or you need to replace multiple consecutive missing teeth, it can be done with dental bridges. We’ll make sure that your bridge feels comfortable and looks as natural as possible, so you can show your smile off to friends and family with confidence.
How are Crown and Bridges Made?
The first step in the creation of your bridge is to prepare the tooth or teeth it will attach to for a proper fit. Dr. Lippard will reduce the enamel on the abutment tooth or teeth, and then take an impression. This allows our dental lab to create a crown and bridge that mimics the size and shape of your existing teeth. Our partner dental lab offers exceptional, aesthetically pleasing restorations that are matched to blend with your smile. You will receive a temporary crown and bridge while your custom prosthetic is being crafted. When the permanent bridge arrives, which is usually in about a week, Dr. Lippard will permanently bond the prosthetic and complete the process.
How Long Will My Crown and Bridge Last?
How long your crown and bridge lasts will depend mostly upon how well you take care of your teeth. Make sure to practice good oral hygiene, brushing twice daily and flossing once. It’s also important to visit our Charlottesville dentistry practice for regular checkups and professional hygiene. You can also prevent damage to your new crown and bridge by staying away from hard foods like ice.