Dental Crowns & Bridges in Charlestown, RI

Arrowhead Dental Associates provides dental restorations in Charlestown, RI. Call us at 401-364-6300 to schedule your appointment today.

A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a tooth that is cracked, broken, worn down, or severely decayed. Dental crowns are usually completed within two visits. During the first visit the tooth is prepared and an impression is taken. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is fabricated. During the second visit, the permanent crown is carefully fitted and bonded into place.

A bridge can replace missing teeth without the use of a denture or dental implant. A bridge is composed of two crowns and a replacement tooth or teeth. Crowns are typically placed on the teeth on either side of the space, with the fabricated tooth or teeth attached in between.

The lifespan of your dental crown depends on its location in your mouth, your oral habits, and the material chosen, but the average crown will last between five and 15 years. It’s not uncommon for them to last much longer with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.

No, it’s not painful to get a dental crown. Your tooth and the area surrounding it will be numbed with local anesthesia.

Yes, dental crowns are certainly worth it. If the alternative is to extract your tooth, dental crowns are the best option because keeping your natural tooth results in better oral health and preserves your jawbone.

Yes, ceramic and porcelain fused to metal crowns will blend in naturally with the rest of your smile.

If you don’t care about aesthetics or you grind your teeth, a gold or base metal alloy crown is best. Otherwise, most patients choose porcelain fused to metal because they are stronger than ceramic, yet still aesthetic.

Dental bridges are an affordable option for replacing one or more missing or hopeless teeth. A bridge can easily replace a row of teeth in one piece. It can attach to the natural teeth on either end of the bridge with crowns or dental implants can be placed as anchors.

Bridges are usually permanent, but can be removable. A permanent bridge is cemented into place via crowns or metal attachments in the case of a Maryland bridge. A dental implant supported bridge is also permanent. A removable bridge is more like a partial denture that snaps into place between the teeth.

In the case of a traditional bridge, the existing teeth on either end of the bridge are filed down and fitted with crowns. That tooth enamel is lost forever. Over time, the bridge may put strain on the crowned teeth as well, causing damage to the remaining natural portion of the tooth. The crowns eventually may need to be replaced with dental implants.

A traditional dental bridge can last anywhere from 10-15 years. An implant supported bridge may last just as long if not longer. Cantilever and Maryland bridges are not as secure, so they may only last 5-10 years before needing to be replaced.

Many patients question why a missing tooth needs to be replaced. The problem with even one missing tooth is that it leaves a gap in your mouth that the other teeth will gradually shift into. This causes more teeth to be out of alignment, possibly resulting in bite issues, gaps between other teeth, and a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

No, you don’t have to put any additional effort into caring for your bridge. Simply brush it when you brush your teeth and floss on either side of the bridge and the front and back of the supporting teeth. Go to the dentist every 6 months for regular cleanings and exams. Your dentist will check the condition of your bridge at each appointment and make any necessary adjustments.

Getting a dental bridge can take as little as two appointments. The first one involves preparing the teeth for the bridge and making impressions to create the bridge. The second appointment involves fitting the bridge into place. It takes a few weeks between appointments for the bridge to be made in a lab and sent back to the dentist’s office.

There are many benefits to a dental implant over a bridge, but it is not necessarily the best option for everyone. A dental implant is surgically placed in the jaw, which requires sufficient bone structure. If a patient’s jaw is not ready for an implant, a bridge can be used instead. And when there are multiple missing teeth, a bridge is more affordable than multiple implants. Your dentist will make a recommendation based on your individual needs.