Silverstone Dental
5731 Silverstone Terrace, Suite 220
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
email: b.nielsendmd@gmail.com
(719) 599-3999
Crown and Bridge
Crowns
Crowns may be needed for a variety of reasons. Deep cavities, cusp fractures or after root canal treatment are just a few of those reasons. The purpose of crowns is to restore pathologic tooth structure to strong healthy like new condition.
​
Crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes (which we will go into in the cosmetic section of the site).
​
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials as well. Gold, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal and zirconia are common materials.
Fractures
Fractures are a common reason for crown recommendations. Fractures can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. As you can see in this picture fractures are common around large fillings. In this image the filling has been removed and you can see the fracture connecting under where the filling was.
​
Fractures like this commonly present with pain on chewing that is like a little lightning bolt that goes away immediately. In these and similar situations a crown may be used to hold the tooth together to prevent the fracture from getting deeper and preventing pain.
Bridges
Replacing a missing tooth is important for a variety of reasons. Once a tooth is removed the bone may shrink up, adjacent teeth may shift or tip and you will loose a significant amount of function. Function loss requires other teeth in the area to make up for the lost efficiency putting additional stress on them. Increased stress on teeth has a tendency to have negative effects. Teeth may fracture and bone loss may occur.
​
There are many ways to replace missing teeth including implants and removable appliances like dentures or partial dentures. Another solid option is a bridge. Bridges are similar to crowns but are extended across the area where the tooth is lost as can be seen in the picture on the left. The same materials used for crowns can be used for bridges. One of the main benefits of bridges is the speed with which they can be done. Since we make all our bridges and crowns in office we can have the restoration completed in as little as 24 hours. Knowledge of risks and benefits of any procedure are very important. Please contact a dentist to discuss the various options for replacing your lost tooth.
Crown and Bridge Fabrication
In 2017 we elected to start making crowns in our office and we couldn't be happier that we did. Having complete control of the crown making process ensures that your crown will be made to the highest standards. There is no reliance on an outside company or technician that is guessing on where crown margins are located or how the teeth bite together.
​
We also use the highest quality materials to fabricate these crowns and bridges. Zirconia is an esthetic tooth colored material that can be polished to a high shine that does not require glazing- trust us your teeth will thank you! Glazes are extremely harsh on opposing teeth and meticulous polishing provides an unabrasive pillow for your natural teeth. Zirconia is also an extremely durable material. Dependent on the type it is 7-11x stronger than enamel.
​
Most crowns and bridges can be made and glued down in as little as 24 hours.