Dental Crowns & Bridges – Greenfield, MA

Cracked, broken, damaged, or missing teeth don’t only affect your appearance, but they can have a serious impact on your oral health. Without proper restoration, your smile is at risk for problems like decay, infection, changes in bite, and even additional tooth loss. Thankfully, we provide smile repair solutions like dental bridges and dental crowns in Greenfield. Keep reading to see how we can use these treatment options to give you a complete, strong, and beautiful set of teeth.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a restoration that repairs cracked, broken, chipped, damaged, or heavily decayed teeth. Dental crowns get their name because this solution literally caps the entire visible portion of your tooth, restoring it back to its full shape, size, strength, and appearance. Our crowns are made from high-quality dental porcelain, which mimics the natural look and feel of the rest of your smile. Plus, dental porcelain is relatively stain-proof, making it harder to discolor your new tooth.

The Dental Crown Process

After we have decided that this treatment is the right option for you, we will set your first appointment. During this visit, we will prepare your tooth by removing a slight portion of the enamel to accommodate the crown. Then, we will take special images and impressions of your smile, which get sent to a dental lab for the creation of your dental crowns. During a waiting period of about two weeks, you’ll be provided with a temporary crown to maintain your appearance. Once your permanent one is ready, you’ll come back into our office, where we will place your finalized dental crown.

What is a Dental Bridge?

If you’re missing multiple teeth consecutively, a dental bridge in Greenfield can literally bridge the gap in your smile. This custom-made prosthetic can replace 1 to 3 missing teeth and it uses dental crowns on either side for support. The crowns keep the bridge stable, allowing patients to enjoy a full, fortified, and aesthetically pleasing smile.

The Dental Bridge Process

Once we have examined the area where you’re missing teeth, we will need to prepare your smile for a dental bridge. The teeth surrounding the gap must be slightly altered for the placement of dental crowns. These crowns are then used to support the dental bridge. This restoration is permanently fixed to your smile, and with the help of dental crowns, it successfully replacing the visible portion of your missing teeth.

Aftercare for Dental Crowns & Bridges

Once you’ve completed treatment, it’s important to know your next steps to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery. During the first 24 hours, avoid using a straw and limit your diet to liquids and softer foods. After, you can begin to vary your diet. You should also maintain brushing and flossing but avoid the treatment site for the first few days. As time goes on, any slight soreness you feel should dissipate. However, if your pain gets worse, you should call our office right away.