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When are Fillings, Crowns and Bridges Necessary?

Wed, Dec 11th, 2019

When are Fillings, Crowns and Bridges Necessary?

Oral hygiene is an essential aspect of overall health; Brushing, flossing, dental visits, etc. But if it turns out you need a procedure completed to sustain a healthy mouth, it’s important you take care of that as soon as possible. Procedures that we successfully perform on a daily basis, whether basic or a little more intensive, provides both comfort in your mouth and stops the affected area from getting worse. In this blog, we’ll discuss the difference between fillings, crowns and bridges and explain when each of these are necessary.

Fillings

Did you know there are 175 million dental fillings completed each year? Making it the most common dental procedure in the United States. Fillings come in all sizes, depending on the severity of the cavity. With modern technology at our disposal, this is a very basic procedure.

  • The first step in the "filling" process is to remove the entirety of the decayed tooth material.
  • Next, the empty space is cleaned thoroughly.
  • Then it is filled with a filling material.

The most commonly used filling materials are silver, amalgam and composite. Although every situation is unique, composite fillings are usually the best option because they are durable, tooth-colored and offer a more natural and visually-appealing result than silver or amalgam.

Dental Crown

A dental crown becomes a viable option when the tooth decay is too severe to be mended by a filling. The process of placing a dental crown normally requires two appointments.

First Appointment: Arnold Dentistry will prep the tooth to receive the crown then take several precise impressions that will be used to create your custom crown. Then an additional mold will be used to create a temporary crown which will be placed onto the tooth while the new crown is being formed.

Second Appointment: Approximately two weeks later, the temporary crown is removed and the surface of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned. They new crown is then carefully placed in the designated space, ensuring that the spacing and bite are comfortable and properly aligned.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth. These crowns are attached to artificial teeth known as "pontics" that are used to fill-in any gaps or spaces that were left by one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge is the way to go if you are missing teeth and would like to restore the ability to chew and speak properly.

A bridge is a non-removable appliance, so it’s critical to schedule your dental appointments every 6 months to keep it cleaned and maintained.

Arnold Dentistry

Arnold Dentistry is dedicated to providing our patients with attentive professional dental care. We will find the perfect solution for your oral care needs and make sure you are comfortable every step of the way.

(813) 689-1529