Crowns
This procedure can be used for the following reasons:
- To treat or protect a weak tooth that has been restored in the past by a large tooth colored filling or a large silver filling or replace an old or ill fitting metal crown or porcelain metal crown.
- When the tooth has been fractured or broken.
- When the tooth is discolored or root canal treated.
- To hold a dental bridge in place.
- To cover a dental implant.
Conventional porcelain metal crowns haven been used for the past 40 years with great success. But unfortunately they have been problematic esthetically, primarily because of the opaque dark metal oxide created on conventional alloys. The dark oxide can cause shadowing because of the lack of light transmission, and the oxide can corrode and invest the surrounding tissue, creating a tattoo.
Recent advancements in material science have led to the development in porcelain metal materials. Because of the high demand for esthetics it is desirable to use porcelain metal restorations whit high gold content, which gives a warmer appearance to the final restoration. High gold alloys have the added benefit of having greatly reduced amounts of non precious elements which easily oxidize and increase the likelihood of corrosion. These corrosion products cause local toxic reactions and discolorations.
The Crowns and bridges that we utilize in our Riverside office have no nonprecious metals in the alloy, which eliminates the possibility of nonprecious metal toxicity.
We use a framework of high gold oxide free alloy. This structure becomes the internal reinforcing skeleton that provides strength and the coping with porcelain provide excellent esthetics similar or superior to all ceramic crowns.
These Crowns, Captek Crowns, offer the all porcelain crowns cosmetics with the porcelain fused to metal strength.
Captek Crowns reduce the formation of bacteria around the gum tissue. Tests have shown Captek surfaces have about one tenth the bacteria of natural tooth surfaces .
All Porcelain Crowns and Bridges.
Among the metal free options, All Porcelain crowns and bridges are often preferred, especially in the front (anterior) teeth.
All Porcelain or ceramic materials are translucent and blend very natural with the adjacent teeth. The translucency permits the light to penetrate the restoration and reflect from within the tooth structure eliminating the unnatural opaque look .
Zirconia is a material of choice when metal free restorations are indicated. Its biocompatibility has been proven over the years through its use in the medical field. Zirconia has replaced metal as the material of choice in hip replacement surgeries.
Zirconia is very resistant and very cosmetic.
Dental Crowns are usually fitted in two visits in our Riverside Office.
Drs. Hawkins will prepare the existing tooth which will be the foundation for the dental crown, if the tooth is too damaged, Drs. Hawkins will perform a root canal, once the tooth is ready a solid foundation will be established.
An impression or mold of the tooth is taken. This impression is used to custom make your crown in a specialized laboratory.
A provisional or temporary crown is fabricated and cemented on your tooth until your custom fabricated crown is finished. It usually takes two weeks to receive your permanent crown.
In your second visit to our office we remove your temporary crown and replace it for your permanent custom crown after checking and adjusting your bite. We then cement permanently your new crown onto your tooth.
Dental Crowns are permanent, long lasting restorations.
The crowns from Drs. Richard and Veronica Hawkins Offices restore the function and the beauty of your smile.
Dental Bridges
Missing teeth can affect even the most beautiful smile. Drs. Richard and Veronica Hawkins can restore your smile with the most natural looking and functional Dental bridges replacing a tooth or teeth lost by disease or injury.
A Dental Bridge is a fixed restoration which function is to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of a pontic, a tooth that fills the space caused by the missing tooth or teeth, and it is connected by two or more anchor teeth or abutments (crowns supported by natural teeth).
This structure is bonded or cemented permanently onto the natural teeth.
Without the use of a fixed bridge there is a risk of movement of adjacent teeth into the space caused by the missing teeth. This can affect the overall oral health.