Crowns and bridges help restore a smile that has gaps in it. A person can feel more confident smiling and not worry that they will show their missing teeth.

What are Dental Crowns?

A crown is a covering that is placed over a damaged tooth in order to give it stability and to keep it from crumbling or breaking. Basically, a crown protects a tooth that has been affected by a crack, filling, decay, or cavity from breakage. Its job is to save a damaged tooth. Crowns give the damaged tooth the stability it needs to function close to a normal tooth, so the patient can chew and speak normally. Having the ability to chew is important for your digestion. And saving a tooth is important not only for a beautiful smile, but also to keep the mouth, the bone and tissues healthy.

Many people think that crowns are only used on back teeth, but that is because the majority of cavities form on back teeth. Crowns can be used on both front and back teeth. When you get a filling and a significant part of the tooth structure is missing, we put a crown over the tooth to prevent it from breaking down further.

Crowns are a common dental restoration used by the dentists at Plaza Dental Group in Des Moines, Iowa. They are used for a variety of reasons, but are most often utilized in order to protect a tooth from damage or to change the appearance of a tooth.

Dental crowns are made from porcelain and are made to cap the top of a natural tooth. Patients who have undergone root canal therapy will benefit from a dental crown, as it can be placed over the top. This is done to the tooth in order to keep it from cracking or chipping after the removal of the dental pulp, which causes the tooth itself to become brittle and more susceptible to damage. The same can occur with teeth that have extensive fillings and are no longer as strong as they once were. Additionally, crowns can be a wonderful alternative to porcelain veneers when it comes to covering a chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth. Protecting the tooth, while still making it appear natural-looking and beautiful, is the primary function of a dental crown.

The dental crown procedure is quite simple. Dental crowns are placed over the top of a tooth once it has been filed down slightly and roughened in order to help it bond. Dental bond is then used on top of the tooth, and the crown is placed. This bond will essentially cement the crown to the top of the tooth in order to keep it in place for several years.

Dental crowns are a long-lasting restoration that can help give strength to damaged or weakened teeth, and is often the first consideration when looking to address teeth that have been compromised or damaged. The dental crown procedure is quick and easy, and can provide protection for a tooth for a decade or longer with proper care and maintenance.

The dentists at Plaza Dental Group in Des Moines have a primary focus on cosmetic dentistry and dental restorations to help restore and rejuvenate smiles. 

What are Dental Bridges?

A bridge is used when a patient has one or more missing teeth. Basically, a bridge is a set of crowns that are connected together, and provide the same benefits as a single crown, to give stability and function. A dental bridge works the same way a bridge on a road would. There are two supports, which are the teeth next to the missing tooth. The bridge covers those supporting teeth and replaces the tooth or teeth in between. The missing teeth are replaced and supported so that the patient can chew and speak properly. The added support from the adjacent teeth gives the bridge the strength to function with the rest of the teeth and the mouth.

People wearing crowns and bridges have to take extra care when eating and cleaning their teeth. It is best to avoid chewing hard and sticky substances with teeth that have crowns or bridges on them, as they might crack or come off. You also need to clean properly underneath bridges in order to prevent bacteria from forming, which is vital in preventing cavities and decay.