Dental Crowns and Bridges
It can be draining to live day-to-day with dental problems like broken, decayed, or missing teeth. Chewing the foods you enjoy can be difficult or impossible, and even speaking clearly may be a challenge. If it’s been going on for a while, you may not even realize the toll it takes on you.
As disruptive as damaged or missing teeth can be to your daily life, the solution is often less complicated than patients think. Dr. Andrew Atchison is an experienced dentist in Moorhead who offers solutions like dental crowns and bridges that restore your smile, confidence, and quality of life.
Dental Crowns: When a Tooth Filling Isn’t Enough
Sometimes, a tooth is broken or decayed to the extent that a filling wouldn’t provide adequate protection. In this case, our dentist would recommend a crown, which is a tooth-shaped jacket of porcelain or other durable material.
Since the crown is designed to cover the entire tooth down to your gums, you can comfortably chew on it again. Dr. Atchison commonly recommends crowns when:
- A tooth is badly broken tooth, and a filling won’t be enough to repair it
- Tooth decay is so widespread that a filling won’t fix it
- A tooth has had a root canal and needs extra strength and protection
- A tooth is extremely worn from teeth grinding (bruxism) and needs a crown to rebuild it
We also use dental crowns as part of bridgework when replacing teeth and to restore function and appearance to a dental implant.
Dr. Atchison has researched all the various materials available for dental crowns and chooses durable zirconia because it is more durable than porcelain and has a beautiful, realistic appearance.
How Does a Bridge Replace Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth are a widespread problem, but fortunately, modern dentistry offers numerous tooth replacement solutions, including dentures, implant dentures, and dental bridges.
A dental bridge is a prosthetic used to replace one or two teeth missing from the same location in your mouth. Also called a fixed bridge, it consists of an artificial tooth that sits in the open space and dental crowns on either side that attach to adjacent teeth for support.
How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?
Our crowns and bridges are designed to last ten years or longer if you care for your teeth properly. Brush twice a day, floss once, and be sure to schedule exams and cleanings with our hygienist every six months.
If you have a tooth grinding habit, Dr. Atchison will prescribe a nightguard to protect your teeth and dental work from the extreme grinding forces.
Do You Need a Crown or Bridge?
If you have missing and broken teeth, we don’t need to tell you that it can diminish your quality of life, but don’t give up hope. We would like to show you how we can restore your smile with natural-looking dental crowns and bridges that blend seamlessly with your smile.
Call Northland Dental in Moorhead, MN to schedule an appointment with Dr. Atchison to get started.
