Natural-Looking Solutions for Your Smile
Missing or damaged teeth are more than cosmetic issues—they can also cause problems with chewing, speaking, and face shape. Accent Smile Center offers porcelain crowns and bridges to help fill gaps and repair cracks with natural-looking results.
Learn About Porcelain Crowns
After teeth have had previous large fillings, excessive wear, or root canals, we need to stabilize and strengthen them so you can chew properly.
Porcelain crowns are fabricated by a laboratory to precisely fit and mimic your natural teeth for esthetics and function. After your first appointment, a temporary crown will be cemented onto the tooth for a short time while we make the permanent crown.
At your second appointment, we'll bond the permanent crown into place. Porcelain crowns allow for excellent strength while giving you the most natural look possible to disguise the tooth among the teeth without restorations.
Crown Lengthening
If your smile shows a lot of gums or your tooth has deep decay below the gum line, you may want porcelain crown lengthening. Sometimes esthetic crown lengthening can help the teeth to look proportional and the smile to look more natural.
By showing more of the tooth than gum, we can use the normal height proportions to give you a pleasant natural smile line. If a tooth has deep decay, then the re-contouring of gums and sometimes bone may be necessary to make the crown or restoration fit accurately.
The restoration must leave adequate room between the margin and underlying bone, or an inflammatory response will happen. Dr. Gatgens is experienced in crown lengthening and can help your smile.
Crown Build-Ups
You can get a porcelain crown build-up when there is inadequate tooth structure for a restoration, and you need more support to help your tooth to function correctly.
We place a core build-up on your tooth and bond it there. This way, we can put it on your tooth, and the crown will keep it there.
Bridging Your Smile
Dr. Gatgens uses porcelain bridges to close gaps between your teeth. It consists of multiple crowns on either side of the gap and is supported by your natural teeth or implants.
We recommend porcelain bridges to:
- Give you a beautiful smile
- Keep the shape of your face
- Help you chew and talk
- Distribute the force of your bite evenly
- Prevent your teeth from drifting out of their position
- Prevent TMJ/TMD
The Process for Porcelain Bridges
First, Dr. Gatgens will prepare your teeth for the porcelain bridges. This can involve re-contouring teeth, which means your dentist will remove a portion of your tooth enamel to make room for a crown.
Next, we'll take impressions of your teeth to serve as a model for the bridge and other elements. We'll send your impressions to the dental lab, and during your second dentist visit, we will adjust your new porcelain bridge to guarantee a perfect fit.
It can take a few visits for you to feel comfortable with the fit, so it's essential to work with a cosmetic dentistry professional.
While your impressions are at the dental lab, your dentist will affix temporary bridges, protecting your exposed teeth and gums.
Learn More About Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
If you're considering getting porcelain crowns or bridges in the Dickson, TN or Belle Meade area, visit Accent Smile Center for an experienced team in cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Gatgens is a University of Tennessee School of Dentistry graduate and member of multiple dental associations, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Call (615) 800-3161 for your next dental appointment.
Living With Porcelain Bridges
Porcelain bridges can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years and even longer with good oral hygiene. If you have regular checkups and take care of any dental treatment immediately, your porcelain bridges should be fine.
You might need some time to get used to your bridges, so it's best to eat soft foods until you feel comfortable. Make sure to floss and remove plaque daily to prevent cavities and gum disease, which can lead to many complications.