Preserving natural teeth is always our priority, but sometimes it is not an option and a tooth needs to be replaced. Whether due to damage, decay, or to provide cosmetic enhancement, the dentists at our Dracut practice will help you decide on the right tooth replacement solution for your needs.
When one or more replacement teeth are needed, dental crowns and dental bridges are two options for restoring function and appearance.
“Very clean and up to date with the newest technology. Had a crown done x2–painless! Staff very friendly and professional. Close to home and great hours!!” ~ Susy

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What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a replacement tooth that can attach to either a dental implant or to what remains of a natural tooth after a repair such as a root canal has been performed. Custom-made, porcelain crowns restore a tooth’s full function while maintaining the look and feel of a natural tooth. Unlike dental bridges, crowns are fitted independently from surrounding teeth.
One benefit of dental crowns is that they allow us to save a tooth that has been severely damaged or is suffering from decay beyond what a filling can repair. Crowns can even address cosmetic issues caused by either crooked teeth or teeth with large gaps between them.
At Future of Dentistry- Dracut, each porcelain crown is custom made to match the natural look and feel of the tooth it’s replacing.
Dental crowns are an attractive tooth replacement option because they can be cared for the same way as your other teeth, with regular brushing and flossing.
“I never have had a crown fit perfectly on the first try. It’s always agony. Thanks for doing so much better—one and done!! A perfect fit!” ~Jane
Dental Crown Procedure
The dental crown procedure will depend on the extent of the work that needs to be done, but is often a multi-step process, requiring one or two visits to our Dracut office.
To begin the procedure, a mold is taken of the tooth that’s being replaced, along with the surrounding teeth. This allows for a temporary crown to be made and put in place while the lab fabricates your custom, permanent crown.
Next, any necessary prep work is done. This can include removing decay or infection, performing a root canal, or placing an implant. If work is being done over multiple visits, you will most likely be given a temporary crown to wear before the permanent crown is delivered.
After the preparation, a final impression is taken. This allows our dentists to ensure the final crown will be a comfortable fit and a good visual match. Because our custom-made porcelain dental crown will match the size and shape of the tooth it’s replacing, the result is a beautiful, natural-looking smile.
What is a Dental Bridge?
Another common way to address a missing tooth is with a dental bridge. A bridge is a replacement tooth held in place with attachments to the neighboring teeth. This replacement then ‘bridges’ the gap left by the missing tooth. The attachment points for the bridge may be either dental crowns or implants, with the replacement tooth secured between them.
Like a dental crown, a dental bridge solves the problem of a missing tooth by restoring functionality to your bite and by helping your other teeth maintain their position.
Dental Bridge Procedure
The dental bridge procedure may require multiple office visits. As part of the evaluation process for a dental bridge, the adjacent teeth must be assessed as attachment points. Called “abutment teeth,” these neighboring teeth must be in good health to support the attachments for a bridge. If the abutment teeth are viable, they may need to be filed down to make room for the crowns.
After the abutment teeth have been prepared, our clinical team will take a mold of your teeth to construct a bridge that fits naturally and comfortably.
When replacing multiple teeth, dental implants can also support a bridge. In these cases, two implants will support a replacement tooth between them, resulting in 3 replacement teeth. Similar to the dental crown procedure, we may fit you with a temporary bridge while the permanent bridge is being crafted.
Want to learn more about dental crowns and bridges? Call our Dracut location at 978-957-1811