“Dr. Bodak, I have been told I need a crown or cap for my tooth.”

Cosmetic Restorations:  Crowns and Bridges

Crown: A crown (or “cap”) is an esthetic restoration used to cover, protect and strengthen a tooth that has been weakened by previous decay or damage.  Covering a weakened tooth may prevent further damage and save you from a more expensive restoration later.

Patient 1: Absent Lateral Incisors

We make an impression or mold made from your teeth, and the crown is custom-made for you.  After the first visit, a temporary crown covers your prepared tooth. You will return in two weeks for the final restoration.  Depending on your needs, the final crown may be porcelain fused to metal, a porcelain-ceramic substrate or a metal-free, all-ceramic Zirconia crown.

Today’s cosmetic restorations closely resemble natural tooth enamel, and are available in a color to match your other teeth.  Many patients prefer all-ceramic crowns because they produce a beautiful, cosmetic restoration without a dark line at the gum.

Patient 1: After Wing Bridge

Before completing the cosmetic restoration of your crown, I regularly recommend professional whitening of your teeth.  Professional whitening can help you achieve your brightest smile in a short time, and your crown will match the new lighter, whiter shade of your other teeth.  It is my belief that your crown should fit precisely and should appear to be a healthy natural tooth.  Your satisfaction is our concern, and I will take the time to ensure that you are pleased with the result.

Patient 2: Before Standard Bridge

Bridge to Replace Missing Teeth:  Many patients prefer the convenience and stability of a bridge, rather than a removable partial denture, to replace missing teeth.  A bridge is a series of fixed, non-removable cosmetic restorations used to replace a missing tooth.  At either end of a standard bridge is a crown covering and supporting an existing tooth.  Between the crowns, there is a pontic, or artificial tooth, in place of the missing tooth.  In addition to standard bridges, I use a variety of cosmetic bridge restorations, including wing bridges and inlay bridges.  Relying on my experience and versatility, I can recommend the most appropriate restoration for you.

Bridges may be all-ceramic and metal-free, or porcelain fused to metal.  They are custom-made for each patient, from an impression or mold made from your teeth.  Porcelain closely resembles the appearance of the natural tooth enamel, and is available in a variety of shades to match your other teeth.  All-ceramic bridges produce a aesthetic, natural restoration without a dark line at the gum.

Patient 2: After Standard Bridge

Before completing the cosmetic restoration of your bridge, I regularly recommend professional whitening of your teeth.  Professional whitening can help you achieve your brightest smile in a short time, and your new bridge will match the new lighter, whiter shade of your other teeth.  Your non-removable bridge should fit precisely, and should look and function like natural, healthy teeth.  Your satisfaction is always our concern, and I will take the time to ensure that you are satisfied with the result.

Judith, patient since 2009