Crowns & Bridges Restore Your Healthy Smile
Over time, teeth can become weak, loose, and possibly decayed for a number of reasons. When your teeth weaken, a dental crown can help restore the tooth’s function and prevent further damage. Dental bridges, however, can replace missing adjacent teeth and help restore the function of your smile. Crowns & bridges can both help restore your smile without the time-consuming, invasive procedures necessary for dental implants.
Dr. Ramirez is proud to offer these restorations to patients looking to regain their healthy smiles. If you want a strong, long-lasting restoration, crowns & bridges can help you smile your brightest again.
What Are Crowns?
Dental crowns are cap-like restorations that cover the natural tooth to restore its look and function. They serve as an integral part of dentistry and are often used alongside restorations and procedures like root canals, bridges, and dental implants.
Crowns can be used as singular restorations, or as part of a multi-tooth bridge restoration. For added convenience, we offer same day CEREC crowns. No matter what procedure you require, you can rest assured knowing your dental crown will blend seamlessly with your smile.
What Are CEREC Crowns?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Unlike traditional crowns where you may have to wait before your permanent restoration is ready, CEREC crowns are manufactured in-office using a high-tech milling device. You can now receive your crowns the same day as your appointment.
How Do CEREC Crowns Work?
Imaging
After you undergo a routine consultation with Dr. Ramirez, we’ll create the blueprints for your CEREC crowns by taking digital images and impressions of your mouth. Dr. Ramirez will use these images and impressions alongside Computer-Aided Design software to draft the plan for your new crown.
Crafting
Once Dr. Ramirez has finished designing your crown, the milling machine will precisely measure and begin crafting it from specially engineered materials. Crafting one CEREC crown usually takes between twenty minutes to two hours.
Preparation
Before attaching your crown, we’ll numb the surgical site using a local anesthetic and ensure it’s working properly before proceeding. Dr. Ramirez will remove a portion of your tooth’s enamel to make room for the crown.
Installation
Dr. Ramirez will bond your CEREC crown to your tooth using a special dental adhesive. You’ll then be able to leave our San Luis Obispo office with your new smile that same day.
Benefits of CEREC Crowns
Aside from being quick and easy to manufacture on-site, CEREC crowns are:
- Created in-office to save you time and money
- Personally designed by Dr. Ramirez to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth
- Stain resistant, which helps them stay pristine and natural-looking for years to come
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are ideal for patients who want a more secure restoration than dentures but don’t currently qualify for dental implants. Dental bridges use crowns placed over the teeth on either side of the missing teeth’s gap to provide “anchors” for the teeth that will fill that gap. These false teeth, known as pontics, are manufactured to fill the space and are connected to the “anchor” crowns permanently.
How Do Dental Bridges Work?
Imaging
After a consultation with Dr. Ramirez, we’ll take digital images and impressions of your teeth to use as blueprints for your bridge. You’ll return to our San Luis Obispo office for your procedure once your bridge is ready to be installed.
Preparation
Before your procedure, we’ll numb the surgical site using a local anesthetic and make sure it’s working properly before proceeding. Then, Dr. Ramirez will gently remove a portion of the enamel from the teeth that will serve as the “anchors” for the bridge.
Installation
The crowns of the bridge will be cemented onto the anchor teeth with a special dental adhesive. Once finished, you’ll leave our San Luis Obispo office with a fully restored smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average lifespan of CEREC crowns is 10 to 15 years. However, with proper oral hygiene and regular dental exams with Dr. Ramirez, they can last up to thirty years.
Our dental bridges are built to last. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your bridge can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Good oral hygiene includes brushing and flossing twice a day along with rinsing between meals. It’s also essential to schedule biannual appointments to our San Luis Obispo office for routine cleanings and exams.
Crowns & bridges tend to cost less than more permanent options like dental implants. The cost of your restoration will also depend on several factors, such as how many crowns you need.
We encourage you to call your dental insurance provider beforehand to learn what your plan will cover. We also offer various financing options to help make your chosen restorative option more affordable.
Customized Crowns & Bridges Restore Your Smile
Your crown or bridge will be made to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. With bridges and crowns, even patients who don’t currently qualify for dental implants can restore function to their teeth and start smiling with confidence again.
To learn more about what crowns & bridges can do for you, call our San Luis Obispo office by dialing (805) 549-8483. You can also request an appointment and a friendly staff member will get back to you shortly.
