Do you have weakened or broken teeth? Are you missing one or more teeth? If the answer to these questions is yes, you could benefit from dental crowns or bridges. These dental restorations can revitalize your smile, allowing you to save your natural teeth from extraction and fill in the gaps left behind by already missing teeth. Understanding when crowns and bridges are needed is easy with help from your Keizer, OR dentist.

What are crowns?
A crown is a cap-like cover which fits over and around a tooth. A crown strengthens a tooth, giving a tooth which could not function on its own a second chance. Aside from strengthening a tooth, a crown restores its shape or size and improves the color or appearance. Crowns are permanently attached to the tooth using dental cement. Crowns come in several different materials but are mostly made from zirconia.

What are bridges? 
Bridges fill the gap left behind by a missing tooth. A fixed bridge uses the healthy teeth around the gap to anchor the restoration into place using crowns on either side of a prosthetic tooth. A removable bridge uses metal clasps to attach to the surrounding teeth.

When are crowns needed? 
Crowns are needed in the following situations:

• to stabilize a broken tooth
• a tooth with a large filling that could not stand up to everyday use on its own
• to hold a dental bridge in place
• to cover a dental implant
• to revive a worn tooth
• to improve the appearance of a tooth

What are the benefits of bridges? 
Bridges are built to last, with most restorations lasting longer 15 years. Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefit, bridges can also:

• restore proper chewing and eating
• fill out the facial tissue
• restore and correct bite
• prevent the teeth surrounding the gap from moving to compensate

It is important for you to keep your crown or bridge clean and decay-free by brushing twice daily, flossing underneath bridges and flossing all the teeth at least once a day. See your dentist at least twice a year to ensure that your natural teeth and dental restorations are as healthy as possible. For more information on crowns and bridges, please contact Dr. LeBaron at Keizer Smile Center in Keizer, OR. Call (503) 393-9106 to schedule your appointment today.