Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and bridges in Des Moines, IA, are common dental restorations that Dr. Anthony De Lancey or Dr. Zachary Kouri may recommend to preserve your oral health. We understand that you probably have a lot of questions if you have scheduled an appointment to receive a crown or bridge. Below are brief descriptions of both types of restorations and what you can expect when receiving them.
Dental Crowns
At Ingersoll Dental Group, our goal is always to preserve a patient’s natural teeth whenever possible. Crowns are the most appropriate way to do that in each of the situations listed below.
- Broken or worn-down tooth
- Covering a badly stained or misshapen tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Securing a dental bridge
- Weak tooth
Dr. De Lancey and Dr. Kouri also place crowns after a patient has had a root canal or to cover dental implants. The typical crown lasts between five and 15 years before it requires replacement. The most important thing you can do to extend the longevity of a dental crown is to follow a consistent oral healthcare routine at home.
What to Expect When Receiving a Dental Crown
At the first of two appointments, Dr. De Lancey or Dr. Kouri prepares your tooth to have a crown placed on top of it by removing a portion of the tooth structure. Your tooth will take on a cone-like appearance to ensure that your dentist has plenty of room to place and seal the crown over your natural tooth. Some patients also need filling material applied to their teeth to add bulk for the crown to fit properly.
The next step involves Dr. De Lancey or Dr. Kouri taking impressions of your tooth. Your dentist will obtain digital impressions or place putty-like material in your mouth. After obtaining the necessary impressions, your dentist sends them to our laboratory where a technician will create a customized crown for you. Dr. De Lancey or Dr. Kouri will fit you with a temporary crown in the meantime.
When your new crown is ready approximately two to three weeks later, someone from Ingersoll Dental Group will reach out to you to schedule a second appointment. Your dentist removes the temporary crown at this session and bonds your permanent crown to your tooth after checking to ensure that the color, shape, and fit of the crown are exactly what you want.
Dental Bridges
Bridges replace missing teeth that our dental team could not preserve. When you lose a natural tooth due to trauma or dental disease, it is critical to replace it as soon as possible. Bridges are one of several tooth replacement options that restore your chewing ability and improve your oral health and appearance. You may be interested in this option if you have a single missing tooth or several consecutive teeth.
Bridges come in several forms, depending on the location of your missing tooth. Traditional dental bridges rely on the support of the teeth to the left and right of the missing tooth. Your dentist affixes small metal wings on the back of each tooth to hold the dental bridge in place. Dr. De Lancey or Dr. Kouri will choose a different type of restoration, such as a Cantilever bridge if you only have one available nearby tooth to provide support.
Feel free to contact us with additional questions about crowns and bridges in Des Moines, IA, or to request an initial consultation.
