Dental crowns, commonly known as “tooth caps,” are used in both general and cosmetic dentistry procedures. Hilton Head Island cosmetic dentist Dr. Timothy Gross uses dental crowns for teeth that are:
- Chipped, cracked, or broken
- Weakened by decay
- Need restoration after a root canal
- Missing
If you need to replace missing teeth, dental crowns can be used either as part of a dental bridge, or part of a dental implant.
Our Dental Crowns
As a mercury-free dentistry practice, we offer all-porcelain crowns to our patients. These types of dental crowns are not only the most natural-looking option available, they also have the advantage of not being affected by temperature fluctuations in your mouth. This helps them provide a long-lasting, functionally superior solution.
Our dental crowns are created by a local dental lab master ceramist, who will customize them according to Dr. Gross’s specifications. Your crowns will be sized, shaped, and colored to perfectly match your surrounding teeth. Permanent dental crowns usually take two office visits to place, but you will enjoy superior results compared to crowns that are created and placed in a single office visit.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges use crowns to hold replacement teeth in place. The crown “caps” are placed over the adjacent teeth as an anchor for the new artificial teeth. Although they are not as durable as dental implants, dental bridges are still capable of providing a strong foundation for replacement teeth. If you do not have enough bone density to support a dental implant, dental bridges are a good alternative.
Dr. Gross uses all-ceramic bridges whenever possible. However, each smile has unique needs, and no single solution is right for every individual. Because of this, Dr. Gross offers Zirconium and CAD/CAM bridges when appropriate. The materials used to build your dental bridge will be determined based on a thorough examination of your teeth.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
When you are missing one or more teeth, your surrounding teeth will begin to shift out of place. This can change the tension of your bite and even the structure of your jaw, making missing teeth a major functional issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later.
With porcelain crowns and dental bridges, Dr. Gross can quickly and effectively replace missing teeth, restoring both the strength and appearance of your smile.
If you live in the Hilton Head Island or Bluffton areas of South Carolina and would like to learn if dental crowns or bridges could improve your smile or bite function, please contact Dr. Timothy Gross today to schedule an initial consultation.
