Crowns & Bridges

At Allin Family Dentistry in Ocala, FL, we understand how essential a healthy, beautiful smile is to your overall well-being. Damaged or missing teeth can affect not only your appearance but also your ability to eat, speak, and maintain proper oral health. That’s why we offer cosmetic dentistry solutions like dental crowns and bridges as effective solutions for restoring the function and aesthetics of your smile.

What Are Dental Crowns in Ocala, FL?

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire visible portion of a damaged or decayed tooth. Crowns are designed to restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. They are commonly used when a tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a filling but still healthy enough to avoid extraction.

The Purposes of Dental Crowns in Ocala, FL

Dental crowns serve several purposes, including:

• Restoring Damaged Teeth: Crowns can repair teeth that have been weakened by decay, trauma, or large fillings.
• Protecting Weak Teeth: Crowns provide a protective barrier for teeth that are at risk of breaking, such as those with cracks or severe wear.
• Supporting Dental Bridges: Crowns are used to anchor dental bridges, which replace one or more missing teeth.
• Improving Aesthetics: Crowns can enhance the appearance of teeth that are discolored, misshapen, or misaligned.
• Covering Dental Implants: Crowns are placed on top of dental implants to restore missing teeth.
• Restoring Function: By covering a damaged tooth, a crown restores the tooth’s ability to function properly. Call us to learn more.

What Are Dental Bridges in Ocala, FL?

A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges consist of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) that are anchored by crowns placed on the adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Bridges help restore the function and appearance of your smile by filling the gaps left by missing teeth.

The Purposes of Dental Bridges in Ocala, FL

Dental bridges serve several key purposes, including:

• Restoring Your Smile: Bridges fill in the gaps created by missing teeth, helping to restore the appearance of your smile.
• Maintaining Facial Structure: By preventing the remaining teeth from shifting out of place, bridges help maintain the natural shape of your face.
• Improving Function: Bridges allow you to chew and speak more effectively, as missing teeth can affect your ability to perform these functions.
• Preventing Tooth Shifting: When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth can shift out of position, leading to misalignment. Bridges help keep your remaining teeth in their proper place.
• Enhancing Oral Health: Replacing missing teeth with bridges can help prevent issues such as gum disease and further tooth loss.

Types of Dental Crowns

At Allin Family Dentistry, we offer a variety of dental crown materials to suit your specific needs and preferences. Each type of crown has its unique advantages:

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are highly popular due to their natural appearance. They are made from a ceramic material that closely resembles the color and translucency of natural teeth. Porcelain crowns are an excellent choice for front teeth or other visible areas of the mouth.

Advantages

• Aesthetic appeal with a natural look
• Biocompatible, reducing the risk of allergic reactions
• Suitable for patients with metal allergies

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns

PFM crowns combine the strength of a metal core with the aesthetic appeal of a porcelain exterior. The metal base provides durability, while the porcelain coating offers a natural appearance.

Advantages

• Strong and durable
• Provide a balance between aesthetics and strength
• Suitable for both front and back teeth

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns are made from various metal alloys, including gold, platinum, and base metals. These crowns are known for their strength and durability, making them an excellent choice for molars or teeth that endure heavy chewing forces.

Advantages

• Extremely durable and long-lasting
• Resistant to chipping and cracking
• Require less removal of tooth structure

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are made from a strong, biocompatible ceramic material known as zirconium dioxide. These crowns offer a combination of strength and aesthetics, making them suitable for both front and back teeth.

Advantages

• Highly durable and resistant to wear
• Natural appearance with good color-matching
• Suitable for patients with metal allergies

All-Ceramic Crowns

All-ceramic crowns are made entirely from ceramic material and are free of metal. They provide an excellent aesthetic result and are often used for front teeth.

Advantages

• Natural appearance with excellent color-matching
• Biocompatible and metal-free
• Ideal for patients with metal allergies

Types of Dental Bridges

At Allin Family Dentistry in Ocala, FL, we offer several types of dental bridges to address your specific dental needs:

Traditional Bridges

Traditional bridges are the most common type and involve placing crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap (abutment teeth) with the artificial tooth (pontic) in between. This type of bridge is used when natural teeth are present on both sides of the missing tooth.

Advantages

• Benefit from the strong support of natural teeth
• Long-lasting with proper care
• Can be used to replace one or more missing teeth

Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever bridges are used when there is only one natural tooth adjacent to the gap. The pontic is anchored to a single crown placed on the adjacent tooth.

Advantages

• Require fewer teeth for support
• Can be used in areas with limited space

Maryland Bridges

Maryland bridges, also known as resin-bonded bridges, are held in place by a metal or porcelain framework with wings that are bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth. This type of bridge is less invasive as it does not require the adjacent teeth to be crowned.

Advantages

• Conservative treatment with minimal alteration of adjacent teeth
• Aesthetic result with natural-looking pontics
• Cost-effective option

Implant-Supported Bridges

Implant-supported bridges are anchored by dental implants rather than natural teeth. This type of bridge is ideal for patients who are missing multiple teeth in a row and do not want to or cannot rely on natural teeth for support.

Advantages:

• Provide strong support and stability
• Prevent bone loss by stimulating the jawbone
• Do not affect adjacent natural teeth

The Procedure for Crowns and Bridges at Allin Family Dentistry

The process of getting crowns and bridges at Allin Family Dentistry involves several steps to ensure the best possible outcome. Here’s what you can expect:

Initial Consultation

Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with our experienced dentist in Ocala, FL. During this visit, we:

• Examine your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
• Take digital X-rays or impressions to assess the condition of the affected teeth and surrounding structures.
• Discuss your treatment options, including the type of crown or bridge that best suits your needs.
• Answer any questions you may have about the procedure.

Tooth Preparation

For crowns, the affected tooth is reshaped to create space for the crown. This involves removing a portion of the tooth’s enamel and, in some cases, filling any cavities or damage.

For bridges, the adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) are prepared by reshaping them to accommodate the crowns that will support the bridge.

Impressions

After the tooth or teeth are prepared, impressions of your teeth are taken using digital scanning technology or traditional molds. These impressions are used to create a custom-fit crown or bridge that matches the shape and size of your natural teeth.

Temporary Crowns or Bridges

While your permanent crown or bridge is being fabricated in a dental laboratory, a temporary crown or bridge is placed to protect your prepared teeth and maintain the function and appearance of your smile.

Fitting and Placement

Once your custom crown or bridge is ready, it is time to return to Allin Family Dentistry for the final fitting. The temporary crown or bridge is removed, and the permanent one is carefully placed and adjusted for proper fit and bite.

For crowns, the crown is bonded to the prepared tooth using dental cement. For bridges, the crowns on the abutment teeth are bonded in place, securing the pontic in the gap.

Final Adjustments

After the crown or bridge is placed, our dentist makes any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable and precise fit. We also check your bite to ensure that your new restoration does not interfere with your natural bite alignment.

Conclusion

Dental crowns and bridges are reliable, long-lasting solutions for restoring the function and appearance of your smile. Whether you need to repair a damaged tooth or replace missing teeth, our team at Allin Family Dentistry in Ocala, FL, is here to provide you with personalized care and high-quality restorations that will help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Take the next step toward a healthier smile with Allin Family Dentistry! New patients can call (352) 309-2685 to schedule an appointment, and existing patients can reach us at (352) 789-6968 . Visit us at 1325 NE 42nd St, Ocala, FL 34479, for personalized dental care.