Fillings, Crowns & Bridges in Woodbridge

What Is a Dental Filling?

When decay attacks your tooth, it eats a hole in the enamel, resulting in a cavity. To repair it, our dentist will remove the decay and fill the cavity with a filling substance, such as silver amalgam or a tooth-colored composite material. The tooth filling restores the tooth’s integrity and keeps decay out of the hole.

What Are Dental Bridges and Crowns?

A tooth crown is a fixed restoration meant to look just like one of your natural teeth. It completely covers a broken or weakened tooth, or a crown can also be used to anchor a bridge. Dentists also use crowns for cosmetic modifications such as a badly discolored tooth. On the other hand, a bridge replaces a lost tooth. It contains a prosthetic tooth attached to a crown on each end. The crown fortifies the adjacent teeth which support the crown.

Which Dentists Provide Dental Fillings, Dental Caps and Bridges for Teeth?

General and family dentists offer these services. If you have a cavity or need a crown or a bridge, please contact our dental practice to make an appointment.

How Much Does a Filling, Bridge or Dental Crown Cost?

The filling material you select primarily determines your tooth filling cost. We figure your dental bridge cost on the type of bridge and material selected and the number of teeth you’re replacing. The cost for a crown depends on the kind of crown you select. If you are covered by dental insurance, it will affect your final cost. Your dentist can provide you with your anticipated cost after assessing your needs.

What Tooth Filling Materials Can I Choose From?

Silver amalgam is still a popular filling material as it is strong and durable. White composite fillings are also popular as they are barely noticeable. Composite fillings are suitable for small-to-midsize cavities. You can also choose from gold or porcelain fillings which require two appointments as a dental lab fabricates the filling. If you call our office and make an appointment, our dentist can assist you with selecting the best filling material for you, considering the tooth’s location, your aesthetic preference and the cost.

What Tooth Crown Materials Can I Choose From?

All-porcelain crowns are the closest match to natural teeth. We don’t recommend all-porcelain crowns for back teeth because they can become brittle from the force exerted when chewing. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are a good alternative as they are strong and attractive. Some of our patients choose gold alloy crowns for their molars since gold crowns for teeth are strong and long-lasting. If you need a crown, please call our practice for an appointment. Our dentist can assist you with selecting a crown considering your budget, the teeth’s location and your aesthetic preference.

Which Type of Tooth Bridge Would I Need?

Your dentist is the best person to help you select your bridge. Most patients get a conventional bridge which has one or two artificial teeth, which are called pontics, and a crown on each end. The crowns go over the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. If there is only one healthy tooth next to the gap, your dentist may recommend a cantilever bridge. A cantilever bridge can’t replace a back tooth. You can also get an implant-supported bridge which relies on a dental implant for support.

How Do Dentists Put Crowns On?

You need to come in for two visits to have a crown placed. Your dentist will prepare your tooth during your first visit by numbing the area and making an impression for the dental lab. To prepare the tooth, he or she will numb the area around the tooth and take off a small bit of enamel so the crown fits. You’ll wear a temporary crown home to protect the tooth. When your permanent crown is done, you’ll have the temporary crown removed and the new one cemented in place.

How Do Dentists Put Bridges On?

Having a tooth bridge put on requires two appointments. When you come in for the first appointment, your dentist will prepare the abutment teeth which will hold the crowns. You’ll have a local anesthetic and your dentist will shave a small portion of the enamel off each tooth. Next, he or she will make a mold of the area and send it to the lab which will prepare your crown. When you go home, your dentist will give you a temporary bridge to wear. On your next visit, your bridge will be ready. Your dentist will take off the temporary bridge and make sure your new bridge fits before cementing it in place.