Dental Crowns
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A CROWN PLACED AND FELT IT WAS TOO LARGE? DID NOT FIT YOUR BITE? HAD A DARK METAL LINE BY THE GUM LINE?
Dr. Slater takes special care to make sure any dental treatment you receive looks and feels natural. She has developed techniques that allow for a beautiful result that is strong enough to withstand chewing forces for years. For posterior crowns, the material of choice is Zirconia. It is an extremely strong material that can withstand chewing forces. For anterior teeth, a more translucent material can be used to assure optimal esthetics — preferably an Empress crown by Ivoclar.
Our doctors have a unique ability to create a crown that fits your teeth and mouth precisely, and to maintain your comfort throughout the process. They use many specific protocols to decrease the risk of sensitivity both during and after the appointment. All temporary crowns created at Slater Family Dentistry fit well and look great.
What is the Cost?
Crowns at Slater Family Dentistry are an excellent value. Depending on the reason for placement, up to half or more of the cost may be covered by dental insurance.
What is the Process?
To strengthen very damaged teeth, full crowns wrap all around a tooth, not just covering the front surface like a veneer. The porcelain used with crowns on front teeth is the most natural, beautiful dental material available. A mold is taken of your properly recontoured teeth and the porcelain crowns are created by a highly skilled ceramist. While the permanent crown is being created, a temporary crown is placed to cover and protect the tooth. The final permanent crown is later cemented. Dr. Slater uses a conservative technique and excellent laboratory technicians to be able to deliver exceptional results with the least tooth reshaping possible.
How long does treatment take?
Two appointments are needed. If significant changes are made to your smile or bite, a few additional short appointments may be needed.
How Many Years with a dental crown last?
In most cases, crowns last well over 10 years and are replaced due to a desire for a fresh cosmetic look. At Slater Family Dentistry we warranty crowns against chipping, cavities, or loosening for five years so long as you maintain your preventative hygiene visits.
Dental Bridges
What is the Process?
A dental bridge is an option to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridge is secured to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth and is cemented into placed, i.e. not removable like a partial denture. The bridge is very strong and can be chewed on like natural teeth. Dental bridges often last many years (often much longer than a decade) and require little additional maintenance than natural teeth.
What is the Cost?
Dental bridges at Slater Family Dentistry are an excellent value. Depending on your individual insurance plan, 50%+ of the cost can be covered by dental insurance.
How long does treatment take?
Two appointments are needed. If significant changes are made to your smile or bite, a few additional short appointments may be needed. Usually the initial appointment may last 90-120 minutes and the subsequent visits are often only 30-45 minutes.
How Many Years with a dental Bridges last?
Advantages
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Dental insurance often pays for a portion (50%+) of the cost of the bridge. In many cases, dental implants are not covered by dental insurance plans.
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A bridge can be completed in as little as two visits and a total treatment time of two weeks.
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No oral surgery is required. (However, dental implant surgery involves a very small site and an easy recovery)
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If the bone at the missing tooth space has atrophied and shrunk, it is often more difficult to place a dental implant. Even if the bone at the empty space is severely atrophied, a dental bridge will still work well.
Disadvantages
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The teeth on either side of the missing tooth have to receive dental crowns. If the teeth on either side of the space are in great condition, it may be advisable to pursue a dental implant to avoid unnecessary drilling/reshaping of these teeth.
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Because the bridge links the supporting teeth together to be able to span the gap, it cannot be flossed like normal teeth. A brush or a floss threader are needed to clean underneath the missing tooth where the bridge spans the gap.
Dental bridges often last many years (often much longer than a decade) and require little additional maintenance than natural teeth. At Slater Family Dentistry, we warranty bridges against chipping, cavities, or leakage for five years so long as you maintain your preventative hygiene visits.