Crowns and Bridges by East Setauket Dentist Terry S. Shapiro
The dental crown (also called a cap) covers a tooth that is broken or worn down or decayed. A crown holds the remaining tooth structure together and restores the tooth to its normal size and shape. With an emphasis on aesthetics at our Suffolk County, Long Island dental office, we usually fabricate our crowns of porcelain, either all ceramic or porcelain fused to a metal core. Crowns can also be made of precious metals like gold or silver. Depending upon your needs, we will discuss appropriate options for you.
Our high ceramic crowns designed by Peter Kouvaris Oral Design Laboratory are exceptionally aesthetic and strong. These all-ceramic crowns are bonded onto the remaining tooth structure and become part of the tooth. They look and feel like natural teeth. We work closely with the patient and laboratory to achieve the color and shape that is most pleasing. We work out all of the details in the planning stage, and we make sure you are happy with the result before we permanently cement the crowns. No surprises in our office!
Decayed teeth
Restored with ceramic crowns
Old Crowns
New Ceramic Crowns
A bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It consists
of two or more crowns connected to artificial teeth in-between to fill
out the space left by a missing tooth. It is important to fill in
empty spaces to prevent neighboring teeth from drifting. A
well-fitting bridge can function well for many years. One drawback is
that the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth have to be reduced so the crowns will fit. The patient will also not be able to floss through
these teeth as they are connected, but he will have to use a threader
to floss under the teeth. The implant is another option to replace a
missing tooth. The implant does not have the drawbacks of the bridge.
At our Long Island Dental Office we will be happy to discuss your
options for replacing missing teeth.
What is The Bonded Bridge?
The Bonded Bridge is another option for replacing missing teeth. The bonded bridge is sometimes called a Maryland Bridge. The bonded bridge consists of an artificial tooth connected to porcelain or metal wings that bond to the back of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. The Bonded Bridge is less costly than the conventional bridge or implant, but it is not as strong. It has the advantage that the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth do not have to be reduced for crowns. The procedure usually does not require anesthesia and it is reversible and non-invasive. The bonded bridge is sometimes a good interim or more long-term solution to replace missing teeth.
Missing central incisor
Missing central incisor replaced with a Maryland Bridge
Long Island dentist practicing general and cosmetic dentistry - dentures, implants, crowns, veneers - in East Setauket, New York, serving Port Jefferson - Coram - Selden - Holbrook - Ronkonkoma - Holtsvile - Middle Island - Lake Grove - Centereach - Patchogue - Smithtown and Stony Brook. Providing quality dental care in Suffolk County for over 20 years.
