Read Transcript When somebody's missing a tooth they have an option. They can ... In the right circumstance an implant in an option. And another option that people don't know about is doing a bridge to close that gap or to fill in that gap and a lot of people don't know what a bridge is. A bridge is something that doesn't come in and out. It cements in place. It looks like your natural teeth. It feels like your natural teeth. It's as strong as your natural teeth. They look beautiful and they're very, very strong, and they're very, very functional. They're something that are certainly a good and viable option. We've been doing them forever and they've only gotten better over the years.
An implant is also an option in a lot of those cases, and we look at the case overall to decide which is going to be the better option for filling the space, what that individual's wants and needs are, what's important to them, what the adjacent teeth look like. Those all come into play when deciding whether a bridge is going to be better than something else.
Crowns are similar in that if a tooth is too broken down then we have to put a crown on it and crowns work great. It's like putting a cast on a broken arm. It fixes that broken arm. Putting a porcelain cast on a tooth that looks like a tooth and is pretty and has no black lines showing up at the gumline that everybody's used to seeing. It gives you a tooth that's going to be around for the next 25 years. It may be longer until it needs to be switched out, but we can save teeth that we couldn't save before with the crowns and with bridges and with those kinds of things. It allows us to do ... It really broadens our treatment options and crowns have done some amazing things for people in keeping teeth that they otherwise would have lost.
Dental crowns are like a Swiss Army knife of restorative dentistry because they can be used to repair all kinds of dental damage. Top-notch Spokane Valley, WA dentist Dr. Craig Ellsworth may recommend dental crowns for:
- A broken tooth
- A badly cracked tooth
- A tooth weakened by a large tooth filling
- A misshapen tooth
- A tooth with severe discoloration
- A worn-down tooth
In addition, Dr. Craig Ellsworth may use dental crowns to cover dental implants or to keep dental bridges in position.
To meet with trusted Spokane Valley, WA dentist Dr. Craig Ellsworth in our Spokane Valley, WA dentist office and find out if a dental crown or dental bridge can repair your smile, call 509-850-3217.
Steps to a Dental Crown
With more than 25 years as a dentist, Dr. Craig Ellsworth is an old hand at dental crowns and dental bridges. Here is how the crown procedure typically works:
- Dr. Craig Ellsworth X-rays your tooth and the area around it to ensure it will support a dental crown.
- He numbs the area with local anesthesia for a pain-free procedure.
- Top-notch Spokane Valley, WA dentist Dr. Craig Ellsworth prepares your tooth to receive a dental crown. He files it down or, if part of the tooth is missing, uses a special material to build it up.
- He takes an impression of your tooth, then sends it to an off-site lab where the dental crown is made. It usually takes two to three weeks.
- Dr. Ellsworth places a temporary crown on your tooth that you will wear until your new crown is placed on a second visit to our Spokane Valley, WA office.
- When your new crown arrives, he makes sure the dental crown fits well and looks natural before securely affixing it to your tooth.
Once your dental crowns is in place, it will look and feel like your natural tooth. Dr. Craig Ellsworth uses Lava and Obsidian crowns, two trusted brands known for their durability and natural appearance.
How a Dental Bridge Works
To create a dental bridge, Spokane Valley, WA dentist Dr. Craig Ellsworth places dental crowns on the teeth adjacent to a missing tooth. The crowns will support your replacement tooth, which is a solid dental crown. Thus, you’ve “bridged” the gap left by your missing toth.
Dr. Craig Ellsworth can also use dental implants to support your dental bridges.
To find out if you or your family member is a good candidate for a dental crowns or a dental bridges, call Family Dental of Spokane Valley at 509-850-3217.
