Understanding Dental Crowns
Think of a crown as a protective cap that covers the entire visible portion of a damaged tooth. This restoration rebuilds the tooth’s structure, restores its shape and size, and strengthens it against the forces of chewing and biting.
Several situations call for crown placement. Teeth with large fillings that take up more than half the tooth structure need the additional support a crown provides. Cracked teeth require coverage to prevent the crack from spreading deeper. Root canal-treated teeth become brittle and need protection from fracturing. Severely worn or decayed teeth benefit from the comprehensive coverage and strength that crowns offer.
Dr. Borton also uses crowns for cosmetic purposes when teeth are severely discolored, misshapen, or poorly positioned. A well-crafted crown can transform a problem tooth into one that blends beautifully with your smile.
The Crown Placement Process
Getting a dental crown usually takes two visits to our Shelby Township office. Dr. Kyle Borton ensures each step is comfortable, precise, and tailored to your smile for lasting, natural results.
First Visit: Tooth Preparation and Impressions
During your initial appointment, Dr. Borton begins by preparing the affected tooth:
- Removes any damaged or decayed areas.
- Reshapes the tooth to create a stable base for the crown.
- Ensures the tooth’s foundation is strong and ready for restoration.
Next, we use digital imaging and detailed impressions to capture the exact shape of your tooth and surrounding structures. These digital records are sent to a professional dental laboratory, where your custom crown is expertly crafted.
Before you leave, we’ll place a temporary crown to protect your tooth while your permanent restoration is being made.
Second Visit: Fitting and Placement
At your follow-up visit, the temporary crown is removed, and your new custom crown is ready to shine. Dr. Borton will:
- Check the fit, color, and bite alignment carefully.
- Make fine adjustments for maximum comfort and function.
- Cement the crown permanently once you’re completely satisfied.
The result is a secure, natural-looking restoration that blends seamlessly with your smile.
Natural Materials for a Beautiful Finish
Today’s crowns are made from high-quality materials like porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia—each chosen for its strength and lifelike beauty. These materials:
- Reflect light similarly to natural enamel.
- Can be color-matched to your surrounding teeth.
- Provide durability and long-term confidence in your smile.
With precise craftsmanship and modern materials, your crown will look and feel so natural that most people won’t be able to tell which tooth was restored.
How Dental Bridges Replace Missing Teeth
Missing teeth create more problems than just gaps in your smile. The teeth on either side of the gap can shift out of position, your bite alignment can change, and bone loss often occurs where the tooth root used to be. Dental bridges address these issues by literally bridging the space with artificial teeth.
A traditional bridge consists of crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap, with one or more artificial teeth suspended between them. The entire restoration is crafted as a single unit. Dr. Borton prepares the neighboring teeth just like he would for individual crowns, and the bridge gets permanently cemented over them.
This approach works especially well when the teeth flanking the gap already have large fillings or other damage that would benefit from crown coverage. Instead of treating these teeth separately, the bridge restoration addresses multiple issues simultaneously.
Different Bridge Options for Different Needs
The type of bridge that works best depends on your specific situation. Traditional bridges remain the most common choice and provide excellent stability and function for most patients. They work well anywhere in your mouth and can replace one or more consecutive missing teeth.
Maryland bridges offer a more conservative alternative for replacing front teeth. These bridges use metal or porcelain wings that bond to the backs of adjacent teeth, eliminating the need to reshape healthy tooth structure. However, they’re not strong enough for back teeth that handle heavy chewing forces.
Implant-supported bridges use dental implants rather than natural teeth for support. This option preserves your natural teeth completely and provides superior stability. Dr. Kyle Borton works with oral surgeons to coordinate implant placement, then restores the implants with a custom bridge once they’ve healed.
Materials That Make a Difference
The quality of materials used in crowns and bridgework directly affects how long they last and how natural they look. Regency Family Dental uses only premium materials that balance strength, aesthetics, and biocompatibility.
Porcelain and ceramic crowns look incredibly realistic and work beautifully for front teeth where appearance is paramount. All-ceramic crowns contain no metal, making them ideal for patients with metal sensitivities. Zirconia offers exceptional strength combined with excellent aesthetics, making it suitable for both front and back teeth.
For back teeth that endure significant chewing pressure, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns provide strength while still maintaining a tooth-colored appearance. Dr. Borton recommends specific materials based on the location of your restoration and your individual needs.
Rebuild Your Smile Today
Damaged or missing teeth don’t have to compromise your quality of life. Crowns and bridgework at Regency Family Dental provide durable, natural-looking solutions that restore your smile’s health and function. Dr. Kyle Borton’s expertise in creating custom restorations means you’ll receive treatment tailored specifically to your needs.
Ready to strengthen damaged teeth or fill the gaps in your smile? Schedule a consultation at our Shelby Township office and discover how crowns and bridgework can transform your oral health. Your complete, confident smile is just a phone call away.