Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers
Sometimes teeth are damaged enough where they need a stronger material than a filling. We may recommend stronger restorations such as an inlay, onlay, crown, bridge, or veneer. Inlays, onlays, and crowns all serve similar purposes of fixing a large problem, the difference is how conservative the restoration is.
Inlay:An inlay is one solid piece of resin or ceramic that fixes your tooth if only the inside part is effected, which is the most conservative option.
Onlay: If a cusp is involved then you might need an onlay to protect the cusp.
Crown: If you have multiple cusps involved or the damage is very large then you might need a crown.
Veneers: Veneers are a less invasive alternative to giving you the smile you have always wanted, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.
Bridge: Finally a bridge is an option to replace a missing tooth that you might have. Often it is healthier to have an implant if possible as they are a newer treatment option that does not damage the adjacent teeth like a bridge will do.
All of these options are custom-fitted tooth colored prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth.
Crowns, Inlays, & Onlays
A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. We recommend this procedure for those who have an intact tooth without root decay. The tooth may be damaged or decayed on the surface. We are happy to offer Same-Day Crowns/Inlays/Onlay’s so you don’t have to worry about wearing a temporary and returning for the permanent crown. Also, no messy goo in your mouth:). We proudly offer Cerec Primescan® digital intraoral scanners in our offices.
Bridges
To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area). Dental implants could also be a healthier alternative to bridges, depending on the damage to the other teeth.
Veneers
If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, you might be interested in veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape to give you the smile you have always wanted. They are minimally invasive and porcelain veneers are resistant to future stains.