Crowns
Dental crowns, also known as “caps,” preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. Crowns may be used to protect a cracked tooth, restore functionality of a tooth with excessive decay, or replace a pre-existing crown. The purpose of a dental crown is to encase a needy tooth with a custom-designed material. At Rivergate Dental Care in Goodlettsville, we specialize in placing crowns.
The Clinical Procedure
During the crown procedure, we will prepare your tooth and make a molded impression of your teeth to send to a dental laboratory. A fitted, temporary crown is created during your visit to temporarily protect the tooth while the final restoration is being made in the dental laboratory. Once completed, the crown is cemented or adhesively bonded at a later visit.
Dental Bridge (aka Fixed Partial Dentures), Dental Implants and Crowns
Dental bridges (aka fixed partial dentures) are an extension of the dental crown treatment for replacement of missing teeth. Crowns are placed on your teeth adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth and connected to a missing tooth-like replica. Although fixed partial dentures may serve as a functional and esthetic restoration, today’s treatment-of-choice for a missing tooth or teeth is with dental implants. A dental implant replaces missing teeth with a titanium root replica. A crown is then placed on the implant above the gumline. Dental implants are a very predictable treatment choice, returning support to the bite and preventing the need for the unnecessary crowning of adjacent teeth.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns provide for a strong, durable, and esthetic treatment option. One of the key factors for the esthetic and functional success of this type of crown is ensuring the preparation of the underlying tooth structure provides adequate space for the appropriate thickness of the material selected.
Gold Crowns
Although not as popular a treatment choice for esthetic reasons, gold crowns are still indicated in some instances. For example, patients with strong bites and those with parafunctional habits (such as grinding or clenching) might be better served with a gold crown. The traditional restorative material can provide stronger support to the remaining healthy tooth structure. Gold crowns offer a level of durability that is appropriate for teeth located in the back of the mouth (such as the molars), where they will not be highly visible. Gold crowns tend to offer greater longevity and require less preparation than porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. When chewing, gold tends to be less abrasive to the opposing tooth than porcelain. This helps to prevent wearing of the teeth.
At Rivergate Dental Care, we’ve treated patients from all over the Nashville area – including Goodlettsville, White House, Madison, Hendersonville, Gallatin and beyond! Give us a call today and soon you will be waking up to a new smile! 1 800 FIX MY TEETH
