Damaged or missing teeth can affect the way you eat, speak, and feel about your smile. Dental crowns and bridges are restorative treatments that can help repair damaged teeth, replace missing teeth, and restore the function and appearance of your smile.
At Glendale Dental Associates, we take a careful, personalized approach to restorative dentistry. With more than 20 years of experience serving the Indianapolis community and an in-house dental lab, we are able to complete much of the crown and bridge process right here in our office.
Our goal is not simply to restore your teeth, but to create comfortable, durable restorations that look and function naturally.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that fits over a damaged or weakened tooth. A crown can restore the tooth’s shape, strength, function, and appearance while protecting the remaining natural tooth structure.
Your dentist may recommend a crown when a tooth has:
- Significant decay
- A large or failing filling
- A crack or fracture
- Significant wear or damage
- Undergone root canal treatment
- A cosmetic concern that cannot be addressed with a more conservative treatment
Crowns can also be placed on top of dental implants to replace individual missing teeth.
Our In-House Dental Lab
One of the advantages of choosing Glendale Dental Associates for your crown or bridge is our in-house dental laboratory.
Rather than sending all of our restorative work to an outside laboratory, we create many of our own crowns and restorations right here in our practice. This allows our dental team and laboratory to work closely together throughout the treatment process.
Having an in-house lab gives us greater control over the details of your restoration, including its fit, function, and appearance. It also allows us to make adjustments and carefully evaluate the restoration as part of our commitment to high-quality, precise dentistry.
Our crowns are not designed around a rushed same-day approach. We take the time needed to create quality restorations that are carefully planned for your individual smile.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. A traditional bridge typically uses the natural teeth adjacent to the space to support a replacement tooth, while implant-supported bridges can be anchored by dental implants.
A bridge can help:
- Replace missing teeth
- Restore chewing function
- Improve speech
- Fill gaps in your smile
- Help maintain the alignment of surrounding teeth
- Restore a more complete, natural-looking smile
During your consultation, we will evaluate the health of your teeth and gums and discuss whether a bridge is an appropriate solution for your needs.
Dental Crowns vs. Dental Bridges
Although crowns and bridges are both dental restorations, they serve different purposes.
A dental crown generally restores and protects an individual damaged tooth. A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by connecting a replacement tooth to neighboring teeth or dental implants.
Our team will evaluate your smile and recommend the restoration that best addresses your individual situation.
The Dental Crown & Bridge Process
Your treatment will depend on the type of restoration you need, but the process generally begins with a comprehensive evaluation. We will examine your teeth and gums, discuss your concerns, and determine which treatment is appropriate.
For a crown or bridge, we will carefully prepare the necessary teeth and capture detailed information about your smile. Our digital technology, including 3Shape® digital scanning, can help provide precise information for treatment planning and restorative work.
Your restoration is then created with careful attention to its fit, function, and appearance. Because we have an in-house dental laboratory, our clinical and laboratory teams can work closely together throughout the process.
Once your restoration is ready, we will make sure it fits comfortably and functions properly before completing your treatment.
Esthetic Crowns for a Natural-Looking Smile
A restored tooth should look like it belongs with the rest of your smile. Our esthetic crowns are designed with the appearance of your natural teeth in mind.
We consider factors such as the shape, size, color, and proportions of your surrounding teeth when planning your restoration. The goal is to create a result that is functional, comfortable, and natural-looking.
For patients interested in improving the appearance of their smile, crowns may also be incorporated into a larger cosmetic or restorative treatment plan.
Crowns & Bridges Supported by Advanced Technology
At Glendale Dental Associates, advanced technology supports our commitment to precision. Our office features:
- 3Shape® digital scanners
- 3D digital imaging
- Intraoral cameras
- Operating microscopes
- Laser technology
- 3D printing
- An in-house dental laboratory
These tools help our team gather detailed information, plan treatment carefully, and provide high-quality restorative care.
Restore Your Smile with Glendale Dental Associates
When you choose Glendale Dental Associates for crowns or bridges, you are choosing a practice that values quality over rushing through treatment.
We have served the Indianapolis community for more than 20 years and have built long-term relationships with patients and families throughout the area. Our private operatories provide a comfortable, personal setting, while our experienced team takes the time to understand your needs and explain your treatment options.
Most importantly, we do as much of our own work as possible right here in our office. Our in-house laboratory and advanced technology allow us to maintain greater control over the restorative process, from treatment planning through completion. Need to repair a damaged tooth or replace a missing tooth? Contact Glendale Dental Associates in Indianapolis today to schedule your dental crown or bridge consultation.
