Dental Crown and Dental Bridge in Williamsburg, VA
When you have a damaged or missing tooth, your dental health is at risk. A damaged tooth can lead to toothaches and an imbalance in your bite pattern. While a missing tooth can cause teeth shifting and negatively affect your speaking or chewing capabilities, it can also effect your overall and oral health. Untreated missing teeth increase patients risk of developing gum disease and jaw bone deterioration.
To resolve these issues, we offer dental crowns and dental bridges to help restore your mouth and oral health. If you suspect you may have dental damage, Dr. Stacey Hall is here to help you decide what kind of tooth repair you will need to renew your smile.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a prosthetic tooth that takes the place of your natural tooth. Your dentist will shave down your natural tooth to its core so the crown can take its place. This protects your natural tooth without requiring tooth extraction. The crown itself is custom-made to meet your needs.
Our dentist will color-match it to your surrounding teeth to blend in seamlessly. We will ensure that the crown is matched to the exact color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. We will fully restore the natural look of your tooth, so that it appears natural to the naked eye. Crowns can also accompany other treatment options, like supporting a dental bridge or capping a dental implant.
Dental crowns offer patients a variety of benefits. These benefits include:
- Strengthen your bite pattern
- Restoring the look of natural teeth
- Preventing further tooth loss or damage
- Concealing discoloration
- Enhance the support of dental implants and bridges
What is an Implant-Supported Crown?
An implant-supported crown is a dental restoration technique that replaces a missing tooth. This method involves Dr. Hall surgically placing a titanium post into the jawbone. The implant will act as a root for the artificial tooth. The implant will integrate with the surrounding jawbone to create a strong base for the dental crown. Our team will create a custom dental crown that Dr. Hall will secure to the implant to replace your tooth.
Implant-supported crowns offer many benefits over a traditional dental bridges and dentures. This missing tooth replacement method provides superior stability, mimicking the function and appearance of natural teeth while preventing bone loss and maintaining facial structure. Using a dental implant to support your dental crown provides added structure and support typically not seen with bridges and dentures.
This missing tooth technique is beneficial if you are seeking a long-term solution that enhances both oral health and aesthetics. An implant-supported crown reduces your risk of other oral health issues such as jaw bone deterioration and gum disease. Although the healing time is longer when Dr. Halls secures a crown with an implant, it extends the longevity of the restoration.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges help patients who are seeking tooth replacement for one or more consecutive teeth. With dental bridges, your surrounding teeth will support the prosthetic tooth. It holds the bridge firmly in its place. Your dentist will also need to shave down your surrounding teeth to make space for the dental bridge.
A dental crown can cap the bridge to provide additional support. Unlike a dental implant, a dental bridge does not involve a surgical component while still restoring your bite pattern and looks. Restoring your bite pattern as soon as possible after losing a tooth is important because imbalances in your bite can lead to tooth shifting, jaw pain, or further tooth loss.
Dental bridges offer patients a variety of benefits. These benefits include:
- Restoring the beauty of your smile
- Restoring the ability to properly chew and speak
- Prevents facial sagging
- Balances your bite pattern to prevent discomfort
- Prevents teeth from shifting out of place
What is an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge?
Dr. Hall can also secure a dental bridge with dental implants. An Implant-Supported Dental Bridge is an advanced dental restoration technique we use to replace multiple missing teeth. This missing tooth solution is beneficial if you have several consecutive missing teeth and you want to replace them with the most natural option. Dr. Hall will surgically place at least two dental implants on each end of the gap and they will fuse to the bone. Then, she will design a custom dental bridge to secure to the implants to replace your teeth.
Unlike traditional bridges that rely on adjacent natural teeth for support, this method uses dental implants as the anchor points. An implant-supported dental bridge does not require reducing adjacent teeth in size nor does it place any stress on your natural teeth. The restoration will distribute chewing forces more evenly across the jaw, reducing the strain on individual teeth and enhancing overall oral health.
Additionally, securing a bridge with an implant also helps the restoration to function more like your natural teeth. With the addition of dental implants, you will preserve the jawbone and stimulating bone growth. With an implant-supported bridge, you will have improved functionality and aesthetics, making it the best solution for replacing multiple teeth and supporting your long-term dental health.
High-Tech Dental Bridge and Dental Crown in Williamsburg, VA
No messy impressions here! Lengthy, uncomfortable crown and bridge procedures are a thing of the past because Dr. Hall employs the CEREC 3-D impression system. An in-office design and milling system, CEREC can be used to create a custom ceramic crown while you wait.
How does the 3-D CEREC System Work? The procedure is simple: An intra-oral camera takes a digital scan of your teeth. Then, we convert the image to a 3-D model on the computer. Dr. Hall uses this to design the restoration work you need. The computer sends the data to a milling machine at a dental lab.
They place a ceramic block matching your tooth shade in the milling machine to create the restoration. All that’s left is ensuring proper fit, polishing, and bonding. Bottom line: The 3-D CEREC method is a modern and economical system that dental professionals and patients appreciate.
Dental Crown FAQs
Do you have questions about dental crowns or bridges? Continue reading to find answers to questions that patients frequently ask us about crowns and bridges in our office.
What should I do if my dental crown or dental bridge falls out?
If your bridge or crown falls out, you need to act fast to avoid further complications. First, retrieve the fallen bridge or crown and keep it in a safe place. Then, contact Williamsburg Center for Dental health to schedule an emergency appointment. We will do our best to schedule an appointment quickly.
Until you can see your dentist, avoid chewing on the side where the restoration fell out. Also, keep the area clean by rinsing your mouth out often. You may use dental cement or a temporary dental adhesive available at pharmacies to reattach the crown temporarily. If you have concerns about caring for the tooth until your appointment, please call us. Your dentist will attempt to reattach the bridge or crown. However, if this is not possible, we will take the steps to fabricate a new one.
How long will I be numb?
Your lips, teeth, cheek, and/or tongue may be numb for several hours after the procedure. To avoid injury, you should avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness completely wears off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue, cheek, or lip while you are numb.
Is it normal for my gums or jaw to be sore?
Irritation of the gum tissue can occur from dental work. Rinsing your mouth 2 to 3 times per day with 1⁄2 tsp of warm salt water can help to alleviate discomfort. Injection sites can be sore for several days after your appointment. Over-the-counter pain medications work well to alleviate the tenderness.
My bite feels off; is this normal?
If your bite feels uneven, please call our office so we can make a quick adjustment to the temporary or final repair. Do not assume your bite will get better over time. If you do not address it, you may feel irritation and a toothache. It may also cause an increase in temperature sensitivity in the tooth.
Is it normal for my tooth to be sensitive?
It is normal to experience some sensitivity to heat, cold, sweets, and pressure after your visit. It is common for the sensitivity to last several weeks after treatment. Usually, deeper cavities will be more sensitive. Again, make sure that your bite feels even.
Can I get my teeth whitened after I get a dental crown?
A dental crown cannot be whitened with professional teeth whitening. Therefore, if you undergo a whitening treatment, the color of the crown will not change while the surrounding teeth will whiten. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, we suggest doing it before having the dental crown placed.
Schedule a Consultation for a Dental Bridge or Dental Crown in Williamsburg, VA
If you need a dental crown or dental bridge in Williamsburg, VA, please contact Williamsburg Center for Dental Health. Our expert dentists will evaluate your dental health and prepare a treatment plan to restore your smile. You can reach our office by calling 757-216-9873 or you can request an appointment online by filling out the form.