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(931) 645-8000 |

Jennifer J. Cornell | DDS, FAGD
Caleb T. King | DMD

Crowns and Bridges

When there is not enough tooth structure remaining to hold a filling or a full coverage restoration such as a crown will be recommended. Crowns are also recommended to protect root canalled teeth from future fracture and breakage. Crowns can be made of ceramic, ceramic fused to metal or all metal. For higher esthetics or appearance a fully ceramic crown are the most pleasing to the eye.

A “smile makeover” can be done with all ceramic crowns in the front six to eight teeth. This is further discussed under the cosmetic tab.

Gold crowns are still used today but mainly in the very back teeth for individuals who may strongly grind or clench their teeth or those who do not have enough clearance for the material thickness needed for other types of crowns.

The area around the tooth and the tooth itself will be numbed with local anesthetic. The compromised portion of the tooth will be removed. A core build up will be used to build the tooth back up. The tooth will be reduced to a smaller version of itself, shaped and smoothed. An impression of the tooth, teeth next to and apposing be made and your bite recorded. If at all possible we make a digital impression using our digital scanner and either design and mill your crown in the office or upload it to a digtally accreditaed dental laboratory. If needed a temporary crown will be made and temporarily cemented on the tooth so that you will be comfortable until your crown is returned from the lab ready to be permanently cemented.
Every effort will always be made to attempt to shade match your existing tooth color. If you hope or plan to whiten your teeth you should do that prior to any front tooth restorations as dental materials do not change color with whitening. If custom shading is necessary we will schedule a time for your to visit the dental laboratory we use so that they can customize the color of your dental restorations.

Dental bridges are a way to fill in the space of a missing tooth. The area around the tooth and the tooth itself will be numbed with local anesthetic The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth will need to be reduced to a smaller version of itself, shaped and smoothed. An impression of the tooth, teeth next to and apposing be made and your bite recorded. The bridge will be designed and ordered by the dentist from a dental laboratory. Depending on the situation a temporary bridge may be made and temporarily cemented on the tooth so that you will be comfortable until your crown is returned from the lab ready to be permanently cemented.
Crown and bridge dentistry is an art. The dentist is highly trained in how to reduce the tooth, the clearance needed and how the restoration should blend into the soft and hard tissue in that space. Radiographs are used to assure the restoration seats all the way and there are no open margins associated with it. Once these restorations are cemented the excess cement is removed and most often a radiograph is taken to assure all excess cement is removed.
Post op: After the initial procedure it is normal for the area we worked in to be sore and tender. The gums may feel sore and often the use of warm salt water rinses will help along with over the counter pain medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. There may also be tooth sensitivity while in a temporary restoration and for a short period after your permanent restoration is seated. We always ask that you contact the office should there be a lingering sensitivity or discomfort.
We work hard to exceed your expectations by providing the highest level of surgical and restorative excellence as well as a fun and pampering environment for all patients. This outstanding combination of skill and attentive concern for every patient’s comfort makes Back 2 Basics Dentistry the best choice, where our goal is always to help you Smile More!