Dental Crowns & Bridges – Newark, DE
Custom-Made, Lasting Solutions for Hurting Teeth
Are you missing one or more teeth? If so, you should consider having them replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantages of one or more missing teeth, structural changes to your mouth and jaw also occur. Patients can experience more difficulty eating or speaking properly. Similarly, patients with a damaged or decayed tooth should consider restorative treatment.
At White Clay Dental Associates, we offer two great solutions for patients with either of these problems—dental bridges and crowns. If you'd like to learn more about these excellent services, continue reading or contact our office to reserve a consultation.
Why Choose White Clay Dental Associates for Dental Crowns & Bridges?
- High-Quality Porcelain Materials for Superior Cosmetics
- Precise & Lasting Customization With Trusted Dentists
- Implant-Retained Crowns & Bridges Available
Dental Crowns
As we age, our teeth tend to become more likely to experience such common issues as stains, fractures, or decay. If the damage is too severe to correct with a filling, a dental crown may be needed to strengthen the overall structure of the tooth and protect it from further damage. Our office can provide crowns made from porcelain, gold, or a mixture of porcelain and metal. If you’re determined to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance, an all-porcelain crown is the best choice, as it can be shaded to perfectly match the color of your natural smile.
The creation and placement of a crown usually requires two to three appointments. During your first visit, one of our dentists will give you anesthetic so that you don’t feel any discomfort and then carefully reshape the damaged or decayed tooth. Once this is completed, we’ll create a detailed mold of the teeth in the area. We’ll then send this information to a nearby dental lab so that they can craft a durable, permanent restoration. In the meantime, we will provide you with a temporary crown that closely mimics the real restoration.
Once two to three weeks have passed, we'll welcome you back so that we can securely attach your brand new crown to the appropriate tooth. Our team will be sure to numb the treated area and use a special cement to ensure that your procedure is as smooth and easy as possible. Our crowns can last up to 15 years and should be cared for like a natural tooth with proper oral hygiene.
Dental Bridges
Want to replace your missing teeth? Our Newark dental office can help you replace what you've lost with a custom-made dental bridge. A dental bridge uses your existing teeth to literally create a bridge across an area where you have a missing tooth. To ensure the strength and durability of your prosthetic, your bridge may be made from gold, metal, or porcelain.
The process of creating a bridge begins with Dr. Bond or Dr. Ganfield turning the teeth around your gap into abutments, or supports for the prosthetic teeth. Once these abutments have been created, we'll take a mold of the area and send it to our dental lab. Our lab will create a bridge that fits properly and feels as close to your natural teeth as possible. Most dental bridges consist of one or more replacement teeth and two crowns on either end that are placed over your abutment teeth.
While our lab crafts your permanent bridge, you'll wear a temporary one. Your temporary will protect your abutments and the exposed gum tissue. When your permanent bridge is complete, you’ll return to our office to have it placed. Then, Dr. Bond or Dr. Ganfield will use a bonding agent to ensure that your bridge is set.
It may take a little time for you to adjust to your new bridge, but after a few days, it should feel like you have your own teeth back. We recommend eating soft foods for the first few days after having a bridge placed. After this initial phase, you’ll be able to eat whatever you want without worry.