Crowns
and Bridges

Dental Crowns

Brown Family Dentistry is committed to providing you with crowns and restorations that fit your specific needs. We pride ourselves on delivering dentistry that looks and feels like your natural teeth.

Where damage to a person’s teeth is extreme, and apparently beyond repair, we can use porcelain crowns to make the smile appear “as new”. This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe of dental problems, even permanently replacing missing teeth to offer a complete smile and a functional bite. We are renowned for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology. These treatments are used for a long-lasting correction of major dental problems. It is usual for these treatments to last many years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.

How long does it take to fit a dental crown?

Fitting a crown requires at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown.

On the subsequent visit, we will remove the temporary crown, and then fit and adjust the final crown. Finally, we will cement the crown into place and you will have a new beautiful looking tooth.

Key Benefits of Dental Crowns

  • Replaces missing teeth when utilized with dental bridges
  • Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
  • Looks completely natural
  • Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems

 

What are the capabilities of crowns?

Crown and bridgework is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused by accidents, diseases or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. The material used in these repairs is either high-grade porcelain or porcelain bonded to gold. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious of dental problems. Where accidental damage has occurred, resulting in lost teeth, or where teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or as the result of old fillings breaking, crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.

Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, which is usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause “appearance” problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns can prevent breakage.

Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Fixed Bridges

dr-brown-fixed partial denture bridge

Illustration of a Fixed partial denture bridge

A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Fixed bridges are permanently attached.

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it’s difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

Common Dental Crowns and Bridge Questions

What exactly is a fixed bridge?

A fixed bridge is a device which fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Fixed bridges offer more stability than removable partial dentures.

Why do I need a bridge?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.

Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a bridge.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How is a bridge attached?

The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Drs. Brown and Brown will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.

Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

What materials are used?

Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.

How do I take care of my bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Kent Brown | Brown Family Dentistry | Fort Worth Texas
Dr. Kent Brown

For almost 40 years, Dr. Kent R. Brown has been delivering quality dental care to patients across the Fort Worth area. With a commitment to delivering the highest level of comprehensive and compassionate dental care, Dr. Brown stays current and proficient with leading edge dentistry.

Dr. Jacob Brown | Brown Family Dentistry | Fort Worth Texas
Dr. Jake Brown

Dr. Jacob S. Brown is a Fort Worth native, who has practiced dentistry at Brown Family Dentistry with his father, Dr. Kent Brown, since August 2011. He is dedicated and committed to providing optimum dental care to his patients, as well as improving his community.

Patient Reviews

Our Location

4004 White Settlement Rd
Fort Worth, TX 76107

(817) 625-1548

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Invisalign®

Having a straight smile is an important aspect of a person’s self-image. Fortunately, receiving orthodontic care is more comfortable and discreet than ever before with Invisalign. Invisalign is a unique orthodontic system that utilizes custom made aligners to straighten teeth. These aligners are made from inconspicuous clear plastic. Learn More →

Crowns and Bridges

Brown Family Dentistry is committed to providing you with crowns and restorations that fit your specific needs. We pride ourselves on delivering dentistry that looks and feels like your natural teeth. If damage to your teeth is extreme, we can use porcelain crowns to make the smile appear “as new”. If you’re missing one or more teeth, fixed bridges may be a great way to restore your dental health and appearance. Learn More →

Dental Implants

When it comes to replacing a missing tooth, nothing compares to the lifelike qualities and durability of dental implants. These replacement teeth help support important oral structures to prevent further tooth loss. Brown Family Dentistry offers dental implant consultations to people in the Fort Worth area interested in their tooth replacement options. Learn More →