Crown & Bridge

Dental health is an essential part of overall well-being, and restorative treatments like crowns and bridges play a crucial role in maintaining the functionality and aesthetics of your teeth. Crown and bridge in San Francisco, CA, is a popular solution for patients who have damaged or missing teeth. These dental restorations provide long-lasting, durable, and natural-looking results. Whether you need to strengthen a weakened tooth or replace a missing one, a skilled dentist in San Francisco, CA, can help restore your smile with the latest crown and bridge technology, including using digital scanners for precise and comfortable treatment.

Understanding Crowns

A crown, also known as a cap, is a dental restoration that completely encases a damaged tooth. Crowns are used when a tooth is too decayed, cracked, or damaged to be restored with a filling but still has enough healthy structure to support the restoration.

When You Might Need a Crown 

Crowns serve several purposes, including:

• Strengthening weakened teeth: If a tooth is cracked, decayed, or has undergone root canal treatment, a crown can provide the necessary strength to prevent further damage.
• Restoring appearance:Crowns are custom made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth, restoring the aesthetics of your smile. 
• Supporting dental work: Crowns are often placed on top of dental implants or used to support a dental bridge.

Types of Crowns

• Porcelain crowns: These are the most popular due to their natural appearance. Porcelain crowns can match the color of your surrounding teeth, providing a seamless look.
• Metal crowns: These highly durable crowns are made of gold or other metals. While not as aesthetically pleasing as porcelain crowns, they are typically used for molars where strength is more important than appearance.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns: These crowns offer the strength of metal and the appearance of porcelain. However, they may show a dark line at the gumline as the metal base becomes visible over time.
• Zirconia crowns:Zirconia is a strong, tooth-colored material that provides both durability and aesthetics. These crowns are ideal for patients seeking a metal-free option that is long lasting. 

The Crown Procedure

Getting a crown usually requires two visits to your dentist in San Francisco, CA. During the first visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing decay and reshaping it to accommodate the crown. Afterward, the dentist will take digital impressions using a state-of-the-art digital scanner, ensuring precise crown measurements.

Unlike traditional impression methods that can be uncomfortable and messy, digital scanners capture a detailed 3D image of your teeth without needing physical molds. This image will be sent to a dental lab, where your custom crown will be fabricated. 

On your second visit, the dentist will place the permanent crown and make any necessary adjustments to ensure perfect fit and bite alignment. 

Understanding Bridges

A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth (pontics) to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Bridges "bridge" the gap created by missing teeth, restoring function and appearance.

When You Might Need a Bridge 

Dental bridges serve to:

• Replace missing teeth: Bridges fill in gaps left by missing teeth, restoring your ability to chew and speak properly.
• Maintain facial structure: Missing teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift and lead to bone loss, changing the shape of your face. Bridges help maintain your facial structure and prevent these issues.
• Improve aesthetics: Like crowns, bridges are custom designed to match your natural teeth, giving you a complete and natural-looking smile.

Types of Bridges

• Traditional bridges: These are the most common type of dental bridge and involve placing crowns on the adjacent teeth to support the artificial teeth.
• Cantilever bridges: A cantilever bridge is used when only one adjacent tooth is available to support the bridge.
• Maryland bridges: These bridges use a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth rather than crowns. Maryland bridges are a more conservative option as they require less alteration of the surrounding teeth.
• Implant-supported bridges: Instead of being supported by natural teeth, these bridges are anchored to dental implants. This is the most secure option, but dental surgery is required to place the implants.

The Bridge Procedure

Like crowns, getting a dental bridge requires multiple visits to your dentist in San Francisco, CA. First, the adjacent teeth are prepared by reshaping them (or implants are placed in the jawbone) to support the crowns that anchor the bridge. Then, using a digital scanner, the dentist takes precise measurements of your teeth and gums to design the bridge. 

The digital scanner provides a quick, painless, and highly accurate impression, eliminating the discomfort often associated with traditional molds. The digital impressions are sent to the dental lab, where your custom bridge is crafted. Once it is ready, your dentist will bond the bridge and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits comfortably and functions properly.

The Role of Digital Scanners in Crown & Bridge Treatment

Digital scanners have revolutionized the way dental restorations are designed and fabricated. Traditional dental impressions required patients to bite down on a tray filled with impression material, which could be messy and uncomfortable. Digital scanners, in contrast, use advanced imaging technology to capture detailed 3D images of your teeth and gums, eliminating the need for physical molds. 

The benefits of digital scanners in crown and bridge in San Francisco, CA, include: 

• Increased comfort: Digital scanning is noninvasive and comfortable for patients, making the process more pleasant.
• Improved accuracy: Digital impressions provide precise measurements, leading to better-fitting crowns and bridges.
• Faster turnaround: Digital technology reduces the time required to design and fabricate your restorations, meaning you'll get your new crown or bridge faster.
• Enhanced communication: Digital scans can be instantly shared with dental labs and specialists, improving communication and ensuring that your treatment plan is executed precisely.

Caring for Your Crown & Bridge in San Francisco, CA

Once your crown or bridge is placed, it's essential to care for it properly to ensure it lasts for many years. Here are some tips for maintaining your dental restorations:

• Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque around your crown or bridge. This helps prevent decay in the surrounding teeth.
• Use a fluoride mouthwash: Rinsing with fluoride mouthwash can help protect your remaining natural teeth from decay.
• Avoid hard foods: While crowns and bridges are durable, avoid biting down on hard objects like ice or using your teeth to open packages, as this can damage the restorations.
• Regular dental checkups: Visit your dentist in San Francisco, CA, regularly for checkups and cleanings to ensure your crown or bridge remains in good condition. 

To get the perfect pearly whites, contact us at Van Ness Family Dentistry for the best crowns and bridges for the brightest and most beautiful smile that you have always wanted.

Conclusion

A damaged or missing tooth doesn't have to disrupt your daily life or affect your confidence. Crown and bridge in San Francisco, CA, offers an effective solution to restore your smile and improve the functionality of your teeth. With modern technology, such as digital scanners, you can expect a comfortable and precise treatment that provides long-lasting, natural-looking results. Whether you need to strengthen a weakened tooth or fill in gaps from missing teeth, our dentist in San Francisco, CA, can help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

So schedule an appointment with us at Van Ness Family Dentistry, 1336 Van Ness Avenue, #1, Lower Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA 94109. For bookings and consultations, call (415) 487-1500. Please visit our official website to learn more about our various services.