Dental Crowns and Bridges in Birmingham, AL

A dental crown covers the entire tooth, protecting it from further decay or damage. A dental bridge replaces one or more lost teeth and spans the space left by the missing teeth. At AC Dentistry, both crowns and bridges are custom-crafted to fit your mouth and provide optimal results.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth to cover it and restore its appearance and function. Crowns are cemented into place over the teeth, creating a strong, stable structure. A crown can repair a tooth that has suffered from decay, broken, or worn down over time.

How Are Dental Crowns Made?

A dental crown can be made from several types of materials, including porcelain, gold, or porcelain fused to metal. We’ll take impressions of the damaged tooth and nearby teeth. The dental lab technician will use these impressions to design and create the crown. The dentist will place a temporary crown on the tooth until the permanent one is ready.

The Benefits of Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a partial cap that covers a tooth. It can be used to fix a tooth that has large fillings, a tooth that has been broken, or a tooth that has been worn down. Crowns can also be used to cover misshapen teeth and teeth that are out of alignment. 

A crown is a great way to improve the look of your teeth. Unlike dental bonding, crowns can last for many years. However, just like your natural teeth, crowns require daily brushing and flossing.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth and two crowns. The crowns are attached to the teeth adjacent to the gap in your smile. They serve as placeholders, or abutments, that hold the bridge in place. The abutments are attached to the replacement tooth or teeth. These are called pontics. Sometimes, the pontics are fused to make one long unit.

What Materials Are Used to Create Dental Bridges?

There are three main materials used to create dental bridges: metal, porcelain, and ceramic. Metal bridges are the strongest and most durable, but they are obvious and can’t be color-matched to your natural teeth. 

Porcelain bridges are the best option when it comes to aesthetics. However, they are not as strong, and they require two appointments to place. Ceramic bridges are even more aesthetic, but they are not as strong as porcelain bridges.

The Advantages of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are an excellent option to replace missing teeth because they are secure, durable, and look and feel natural. A dental bridge is anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap with dental crowns. 

Bridges are custom-created and can be either permanently secured in the mouth or removable. Typically, they are made from porcelain fused with metal for strength. A fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist, while a removable bridge can be removed by the patient.

To learn more about the advantages of dental crowns and bridges, visit the dentist in Birmingham, AL- AC Dentistry at 7350 Cahaba Valley Rd. #106, Birmingham, AL 35242, or call (205) 533-6799.