Crowns & Bridges

If you have missing or damaged teeth, you may feel self-conscious about your smile. You may also experience discomfort or pain when biting and chewing. At Ramsey Family Dentistry, we are concerned that this type of situation could cause you to develop problems with both your physical health and even your self-esteem.

In order to feel better about the way you look and to restore your ability to chew and eat comfortably, you may want to consider long-term tooth replacement. We recommend crowns and bridges to many patients who are in need of an effective and affordable tooth replacement solution.

What Are Crowns?

A crown is a protective covering that is placed over a badly damaged tooth. The purpose of a crown is to improve the shape, structure, and function of the tooth. Dr. Kevin Ramsey will design your crown to blend in perfectly with your natural teeth.

A crown can be made from porcelain, ceramic, acrylic, gold, or metal alloys. Porcelain and ceramic crowns can be made to match the exact color of your natural teeth. Gold and metal crowns are very strong and are generally recommended for the back of the mouth where the most strenuous chewing takes place.

What Are Bridges?

If you are missing one or more teeth, a bridge might be the right replacement option to make your smile complete. Dr. Ramsey will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by gently shaping them to hold crowns. He will then take an impression of the area and design a bridge that will perfectly fit over the two prepared teeth (called abutments) with a replacement tooth (called a pontic) to fill the gap left by the missing tooth.

Usually a temporary bridge will be put into place while your permanent fixture is being made. Later, the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent bridge cemented into place.

Just as with a crown, a bridge can be made out of several different materials depending on the location of the treatment area in the mouth, cost, and desired appearance.

It is important to use a bridge or other tooth replacement solution when you have a missing tooth because if left untreated, the teeth lining a gap will shift and cause problems with your bite, which can lead to even more problems down the road.

Why Crowns or Bridges?

Well-designed and placed crowns and bridges like the ones created for you by Dr. Ramsey have the potential to last a lifetime; however, sometimes they fall out or become damaged by wear-and-tear over the years. You can help extend the life of your crown or bridge by practicing good oral hygiene at home and regularly visiting us for professional cleanings. This will keep the abutment teeth strong and able to support your crown or bridge.

Contact Dr. Ramsey’s office at (480) 207-6001 to schedule your consultation. We will be happy to get you started on an individualized care plan so we can get you looking and feeling great.