Crowns & Bridgework

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For teeth that need restoration back to their original shape and size, Dr. Storm can place dental crowns. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap cemented over the damaged tooth. The tooth will be prepared by removing the damage (or possibly completing a root canal) and shaping it to better accept the crown and cement. Once in place, the crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth down to the gum, to look like the normal tooth.

Reasons to use a crown:

  • Replace a misshaped or stained tooth

  • Restore a fractured tooth that is not fractured into the root

  • Prevent a pending fracture

  • Cover a cavity where there isn’t enough tooth remaining to hold a filling

  • Cover a root canal

  • Cover an implant

  • Attach a bridge (see below)

Crowns are made with many different materials. Dr. Storm will discuss your dental goals and budget with you to help decide which is best for you.

Crowns are used in conjunction with a dental bridge to close a gap caused by missing teeth. The bridge is made with a false tooth (or teeth) and is held in place by two abutting teeth.

As with crowns, there are options for bridges:

  • Traditional Crowns: Traditional bridges are the most popular type of bridge. The false tooth (or teeth) are held in place by dental crowns cemented onto the abutment teeth to each side of the gap.

  • Implant-supported: Implant-supported bridges are considered the most stable and strongest base for a bridge, although it requires two surgeries to complete. Instead of using frameworks, implants are placed to hold the bridge in place. When using implants to replace missing teeth, one implant is typically placed for each missing tooth, but if this isn’t possible, then a bridge can be suspended between two implants. The entire process can take a few months to complete.

  • Cantilever: Cantilever bridges are similar to traditional bridges. Only one natural tooth is required next to the gap being filled. A single dental crown on one abutment tooth holds the false tooth in place.

  • Maryland: Maryland bridges are also similar to traditional bridges, although it uses a framework of either metal or porcelain bonded to the back of the two abutment teeth on each side of the gap.

If you are looking for a Walpole, MA, dentist who offers dental bridges, call 508-668-1766 to make an appointment with Dr. Storm.