Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges in Coral Gables, FL

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we provide dental crowns and bridges for patients in Coral Gables, FL and the surrounding area. These procedures are extremely effective for restoring a tooth that has become infected or damaged or has fallen out. Crowns and bridges at Gables Exceptional Dentistry restore function while looking and feeling completely natural.

If you live in Coral Gables, FL call (305) 614-2438 to schedule your appointment to learn more about dental crowns and dental bridges.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A crown is a prosthetic that surrounds a tooth to restore structure and appearance. Many people call crowns “caps” because they fit over the top of the tooth.

We typically use crowns to restore damaged teeth, but we also use them to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile. A crown can be made three different ways: all metal, ceramic on metal, and all ceramic. The location in the mouth determines which type of dental crown will work best. For example, front teeth should have all-ceramic crowns since they look the most natural. A patient may choose a ceramic-on-metal crown for the natural look of dental-grade ceramic plus the added strength of metal.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we use dental bridges to replace a tooth when a patient does not want to wear dentures or undergo surgery. A dental bridge consists of two crowns with a prosthetic tooth or teeth in the middle. The two crowns serve as anchors for a synthetic tooth or teeth, making a bridge. The results are natural looking and durable. As a cosmetic dentist in Coral Gables, FL, Dr. Mirtha Amador has many years of experience restoring patients’ smiles with dental bridges.

When placing a dental crown around a tooth at Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we start by preparing the tooth to make room for the new crown to surround the tooth without pushing other teeth out of place. We will then clean the tooth and place a temporary crown using removable glue.

Before the Procedure

If you are getting a dental crown or a bridge for cosmetic reasons, we recommend that you whiten your teeth first. At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we offer teeth whitening treatments that can improve the appearance of your smile quickly and easily. It is important to have this procedure done first because the materials that crowns and bridges are made of are stain and bleach resistant. That means, if your crown or bridge is created to match your teeth before whitening, it will remain the same shade if you whiten your teeth at a later date. When you whiten your teeth beforehand, your dental crown or bridge will be made to match your new, brilliantly white teeth.

When preparing to get a dental crown or bridge, we recommend you take the day off work or, if you do not work, clear your schedule for the day. In fact, you may want to take two days off to rest and recover after treatment. It is normal for teeth to be somewhat sensitive after getting a dental crown or bridge, and it will be easier if you do not have to worry about meetings or other commitments.

Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges in Coral Gables, Florida

The Process

For the best results, you should work with an experienced cosmetic dentist, like Dr. Mirtha Amador. At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we restore smiles with natural-looking, strong dental crowns and bridges, and we keep our patients as comfortable as possible with sedation dentistry.

The procedures for getting a dental crown or bridge are fairly similar. Before we get started, we will take digital impressions of your teeth so the new crown or bridge can be created in a professional dental lab.

When placing a dental crown around a tooth at Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we start by preparing the tooth to make room for the new crown to surround the tooth without pushing other teeth out of place. We will then clean the tooth and place a temporary crown using removable glue.

You will wear your temporary crown for approximately two weeks while the dental lab fabricates your permanent one. With your temporary dental crown, it is important to be careful with what you eat and how you brush your teeth, since it is only held in place with glue and not bonded to your tooth.

When your crown or bridge is complete, you will return to our Coral Gables dentist office so we can remove the temporary and bond the permanent restoration into place. For a dental crown, we will secure it around the tooth and complete it with dental bonding. With a bridge, we place crowns on the two teeth surrounding the gap in your smile. On top of the prosthetic is a piece that looks like natural gum tissue and will hold it in place.

After the Procedure

Your teeth will be somewhat sensitive after they have been prepared, which is why you need to wear a temporary crown while waiting for the dental lab to make your permanent one. We offer sedation dentistry to ensure you will not experience any discomfort during the procedure. At home, you can take over-the-counter pain medication as needed to manage any residual discomfort.

Because a crown surrounds the tooth, it provides protection and adds strength. Regardless of how damaged the tooth was before your dental crown treatment, you will be able to eat your favorite foods without fear of discomfort. A crown will restore your ability to eat, drink, and speak normally and is ideal for people with severe sensitivity or a cracked or chipped tooth or who have had a root canal. Similarly, a bridge makes it possible to eat and speak normally without having to worry about your new restoration becoming loose or falling out. Both are ideal for people with active lifestyles who want to improve their oral and overall health rather than be limited by missing or damaged teeth.

When a Crown is the Better Choice

Dr. Amador explains why sometimes a simple filling isn’t enough to fully protect your tooth. Learn when a crown may be recommended, how it strengthens and preserves your smile, and why each treatment plan is designed with your long-term health in mind.

To find out if a dental crown or bridge is right for you, call (305) 614-2438 to schedule an appointment with us and discuss your options. At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we make it easy for patients in Coral Gables to restore their smiles with beautiful and functional dental crowns and bridges.

If you live in the Coral Gables area, call (305) 614-2438 to schedule your smile makeover consultation.

Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology

Allograft

A graft of tissue from a donor within the same species as the patient but not a genetic relative.

Alveolar Ridge

The bony ridge for one of the jaw ridges, located on the roof of the mouth or the bottom of the mouth.

Autograft

A graft of tissue from one portion of an individual’s body to another.

Bleachorexia

When someone abuses teeth whitening solutions without consulting a dental professional, causing significant damage to their tooth enamel and gums in the process.

Cap Splint

A plastic or metallic device that your dentist may use to treat mandible or maxillary fractures and cover the crowns of teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums, and/or bite.

Crown Lengthening

A surgical procedure that increases the extent of a tooth structure for restorative or esthetic purposes.

Dental Crown

An artificial tooth, usually made of porcelain, that covers the top of a dental implant or severely damaged tooth to provide an aesthetically pleasing and fully functional restoration.

Dentin Hypersensitivity

When tooth enamel wears down enough to expose the dentin, which makes it painful to apply pressure to the tooth or drink hot/cold beverages.

Dentist

A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.