Whether you have a damaged tooth that needs repair or one or more missing teeth to replace, Dentistry of Fishers offers comprehensive options for troubled teeth. We aim to restore or replace them and get your smile back on track, giving you hope and optimism for a healthier smile.
Today, we'll talk in-depth about some of our restorations and tooth replacement options so you can better understand your needs and the options available for your smile. Let's get started!
Deciphering Dental Crowns in Fishers
A dental crown is a restoration designed to repair a fractured, decayed, or damaged tooth. It covers the tooth entirely and restores its form, shape, and aesthetics. However, a tooth crown still allows you to keep your natural tooth structure while protecting the integrity of your root. These days, we use ceramic porcelain to create most dental crowns, especially those you see, because we can custom-shade your crown to blend seamlessly into your smile.
If you've had a crown in the past, you should know that the process for completing your restoration has completely changed! Instead of waiting two to three weeks to complete your new tooth, with state-of-the-art CEREC technology, we can design and fabricate your new restoration during one 60 to 90-minute appointment!
Our use of 3-D imaging allows us to streamline the process even further. With this advanced technology, we don't have to take messy and uncomfortable impressions with alginate material and make molds of your teeth. Instead, we can simply scan a 3-D image Dr. Jones uses to design your new tooth with utmost precision. Then, he sends his specifications directly to our in-house milling machine that uses high-quality ceramic porcelain to mill your new crown while you wait.
Getting a tooth crown has never been easier, more efficient, and as comfortable as it is with innovative CEREC technology!
Reliable Tooth Replacement in Fishers, IN
Next, we'll take a closer look at our other two restorations, dental implants and bridges, which offer options for restoring one or more missing teeth.
Understanding Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is an excellent solution for one or more adjacent missing teeth. It uses two dental crowns that act as anchors for one or more prosthetic teeth attached between them. We attach the crowns to healthy teeth, and the artificial teeth "bridge the gap" in between.
Your bridge is made of porcelain crowns that Dr. Jones customizes to complement your smile. Once we permanently place it, you'll also regain full chewing function.
A dental bridge's benefit is that it doesn't require surgery for placement like a dental implant and could be an excellent option for someone who can't have or doesn't want implant surgery. However, the downside is that we have to alter two healthy teeth to successfully support and anchor the bridge.
Dental Implants Defined
Tooth implants are often considered the gold standard in tooth replacement because they restore both your root and tooth, making them the closest thing possible to a natural tooth. Implants can also replace multiple missing teeth because two to six of them can support dental prosthetics like bridges or dentures, allowing them to restore an entire arch of missing teeth.
An implant consists of three integral parts—the implant, abutment, and restoration. These parts work together to replace missing teeth and restore dental health, function, and aesthetics.
A dental implant procedure starts with an initial exam to determine if tooth implants are right for you. A patient needs sufficient bone structure to support the implant successfully. If you lack that bone structure due to trauma, tooth loss, or gum disease, Dr. Jones may suggest that you complete a bone grafting procedure before implant placement to rebuild your jawbone.
Next, the implant placement surgery is completed in our Fishers dental office. After implant placement, it takes three to six months to fully integrate with your bone to support your restoration. Dr. Jones monitors the healing and integration process closely, and when it's ready, we'll place a custom restoration, which is a porcelain crown for a single implant, bridge, or denture to replace multiple teeth.
The Advantage of Choosing Dental Implants in Fishers
Dental implants offer peace of mind along with several other benefits our patients appreciate:
- Function — Implants offer a natural tooth's look, feel, and function.
- Longevity — With the proper care, Tooth implants can potentially last a lifetime, which is longer than a bridge or traditional denture.
- Protection — An implant acts like a root and protects your bone from the deterioration caused by tooth loss.
- Hygiene — A tooth implant is simple to care for because you can brush and floss like you would your natural teeth.
- Aesthetics — The implant will blend seamlessly into your smile, looking and acting like a natural tooth.
What's Possible for Your Smile?
Now that you understand the difference between crowns, implants, and dental bridges in Fishers, it's time to create your own treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Take the first step and contact your team at Dentistry of Fishers at (317) 773-1618 to book an evaluation with Dr. Jones.