Fillings, crowns, & bridges in Florida

What Are Tooth Fillings?

When a dentist tells you he or she spotted a cavity and needs to remove the decay, you’ll have a tooth filling to fill the hole in your tooth. The filling restores the tooth’s strength and keep decay-causing bacteria out. Without a filling, your tooth could break and more decay will form in the cavity because your toothbrush won’t reach inside the cavity.

What Is a Tooth Crown and a Tooth Bridge?

A crown is a fixed prosthetic device which caps a tooth, so you will also hear crowns referred to as dental caps. Crowns strengthen a broken tooth or a tooth which has had a root canal procedure, Crowns also affix to implants to restore a lost tooth. Bridges fill in gaps in your mouth where you have one of more missing teeth in a row. The most common type of bridge contains two crowns, one for each of the adjoining healthy teeth and artificial teeth in the middle.

Who Offers Restorative Options, Such as Fillings, Crowns and Bridges?

Our general dentists routinely fill cavities and restore our patient’s teeth with crowns and bridges. If you have a decayed or damaged tooth, please call our office to schedule your appointment for an examination.

What Is the Typical Crown, Bridge and Tooth Filling Cost?

The tooth filling material selected is the primary factor affecting your cost. Your dental crown cost depends on the type of crown you choose. Your dental bridge cost primarily relies on the number of teeth the bridge replaces, along with the type of bridge and crown material used. If you call us to set up an appointment, your dentist can tell you your anticipated cost after determining your needs and performing an examination. If you have dental insurance, please inform us so we can help you estimate your co-pay.

What Are the Different Types of Fillings for Teeth?

You can still get silver-colored amalgam dental fillings if you choose; they are strong and will last a long time. If aesthetics are a concern, tooth-colored composite fillings are equally as strong as amalgam fillings, but they may last as long in some cases. Porcelain and gold fillings are also available. Patients usually choose a filling material after considering the tooth’s location, the material cost and their dentist’s recommendation.

What Crowns for Teeth Materials Can I Choose From?

Most of our patients select a crown material after considering cost, appearance and durability. Gold is the most durable material so it is highly suitable for molars, where appearance is not a concern. All porcelain and ceramic crowns offer the most attractive, natural appearance. Nevertheless, they are only suitable for front teeth because they may crack or chip if you use them with excessive force. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are a good compromise as they are both strong and attractive.

What Different Types of Tooth Bridges Can I Choose From?

Your dentist will help you select a tooth bridge based on the location of your missing tooth or teeth. Conventional bridges require you to have a healthy tooth on each side of the gap. If you only have a healthy tooth on one side of your missing tooth, your dentist will suggest a cantilever bridge, which needs only one abutment tooth instead of two. An implant-supported bridge has many advantages, including stopping jawbone deterioration where the bridge replaces missing teeth and your dentist won’t have to alter healthy teeth to support the bridge.

How Does a Dentist Place Crowns?

Your dentist will prepare your tooth by removing two to three millimeters of the tooth to accommodate the crown. Next, he or she will take an impression for the lab which will create your crown, and you’ll receive a temporary crown to wear until you return for your permanent crown placement. Your dentist will ensure the crown fits well before cementing it into place.

How Does a Dentist Install a Bridge?

With conventional dental bridges, your dentist will prepare the abutment teeth by filing them down. You will have a temporary bridge to wear while the dental lab fabricates your custom bridge made from a mold sent to them by your dentist. As with other fixed dental prosthetics, your dentist will ensure a good fit before permanently affixing your bridge.

Please call our office to make an appointment if you need a cavity treated, a tooth crown or a bridge to replace a missing tooth. We look forward to serving you.