Fillings, crowns, & bridges in Plantation, Florida

If you’ve noticed a yellow, white, brown, or black spot on a tooth – or an entire tooth that’s discolored – you could have a cavity or decay. We understand that people often are reluctant or nervous to visit the dentist at such a time. But tooth decay is quite common, affecting more than 90 percent of adults over age 40. Unfortunately, ignoring it frequently leads to more pain and even losing one or more teeth.

One quarter of adults over age 60 have lost teeth primarily because of decay, which affects not only self-esteem but general nutrition and quality of life. The good news is, our dentists in Plantation, FL, can address these issues and present you with the best way to repair your tooth and restore your healthy smile.

Dental Fillings

As we live longer, our teeth are susceptible not only to age but cavities. One in 4 adults has untreated cavities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta notes. What’s more, more than 90 percent of Americans have had a cavity. The pain from untreated cavities hinders our ability to sleep, eat, concentrate, and carry on in our daily activities. Fortunately, a dental filling is an easy and cost-effective fix.

Some patients’ anxiety about visiting the dentist stems from worry about the drilling that getting silver-colored fillings required. But modern dentistry has made fillings a lot easier. With composite fillings, a dentist no longer has to drill away healthy tooth structure to make room for a filling. Rather, our dentist in Plantation will remove only the decayed portion. Composite fillings use tooth-colored material that durable and fracture-resistant. Plus, these fillings bond chemically to the affected teeth, actually making them stronger.

What Is a Tooth Crown?

Dental fillings are designed to treat decay that has affected a small part of your tooth. If there is not enough healthy enamel to bond to a filling, the dentist likely will recommend a crown instead. A dental crown acts as a cap for your tooth. It strengthens the underlying tooth and restores its normal function by completely covering the tooth down to the gums. Our dentists in Plantation will create a custom crown that matches the color, shape, and translucency of your other teeth. Once it’s in place, only you and your dentist will be able to tell that your crown is not your natural tooth.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Crowning or capping a tooth usually takes two visits. First, we’ll prepare the tooth to support the crown. If you have very little natural tooth left, the dentist may build up the tooth with a filling material, or shape the remaining tooth structure. After the tooth is prepared, the dentist will take a mold to send to the dental lab. Before you leave, the dentist will attach a temporary crown to your tooth to protect it until the permanent crown, made from dental porcelain, is ready. At your next visit, the dentist will adhere the permanent crown into place.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

Fillings and crowns help repair and restore damaged teeth. If you’ve lost a tooth because of an injury, accident, decay, you’ll likely need a dental bridge.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

A dental bridge is adhered permanently in the mouth (unlike a removable partial denture). A bridge is composed of two crowns that fit over the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These crowns support a pontic, an artificial tooth that fills in for the missing tooth. The pontic also is made of dental porcelain, so it looks and feels natural.

Bridges are created in varying sizes to meet your needs. One missing tooth might need a three-unit bridge as described above (two crowns and a pontic in the middle). Two missing teeth can be replaced with a four-unit bridge composed of two crowns supporting two pontics. Have additional questions about crowns, fillings, and bridges? Call our office in Plantation today at (954) 519-2224 to schedule an appointment. We’re glad to help you.