Dental Bridges | Dental Crowns | Woodstock Dentistry

Restorations to Last a Lifetime

At Woodstock General & Implant Dentistry, we believe our patients have beautiful smiles. We want those smiles to be healthy too. That’s why we offer dental crowns and dental bridges. Dental restorations are not just cosmetic, but important for your oral health and overall well-being.

Dr. Claudia Patch and her team can help you find the solution that will work for you. High quality materials and a treatment plan customized to fit your individual needs will help you plan for a healthier future.

Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns are replacement teeth that experts craft to fit your bite and smile. They fill the gap left after you damage or lose a tooth, and more importantly keep your remaining teeth from shifting out of alignment. Misaligned teeth can cause bite problems and lead to bone loss in your jaw.

Crowns can be attached to an existing root to cover a damaged tooth, or they may be supported by a dental implant when the whole tooth is missing. We may also recommend an implant if the remaining root is not healthy enough to support the crown. Crowns can be made of multiple types of materials, but we recommend Zirconia crowns as they contain no metals. Zirconia crowns are also more resistant to stains and bacteria, meaning that they not only look better but reduce the risk of gum disease.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a combination of two or more crowns that “bridge” the space between your teeth. This is simpler and more affordable than an implant for each missing tooth. The most common type of dental bridge, a fixed dental bridge, is cemented to adjacent “abutment” teeth so only a dentist can remove it. Fixed dental bridges typically consist of a false tooth fused between two dental crowns. The two crowns are then cemented to the abutment teeth. Although these types of bridges work well as long as the abutment teeth remain healthy, a dental implant supported bridge is a more permanent solution.

An implant supported dental bridge is not reliant on other teeth in your mouth. Instead, dental implants anchor the bridge in place. This strengthens the bridge and reduces stress on your remaining teeth. Implants also make it possible to receive a full-arch dental bridge, which spans an entire set of either your upper or lower teeth. In this way, no remaining teeth are necessary.

Full-arch dental bridges are also fixed permanently in place, only removed by a dentist. They are sturdier and more comfortable than dentures and are easy to care for.

Dental bridges, like dental crowns, can be made from a variety of materials. Our dental laboratory utilizes the latest Computer-Assist-Design/Computer-Assist-Manufacture (CAD CAM) technology to mill full contour bridges from Prettau® Zirconia. Prettau was developed to not only be resistant to chips and fractures, but to also look just like your natural teeth. The material can fuse with custom shades and colors to produce the natural appearance of healthy teeth and gums.

About the Dental Implant Procedure

Although dental implant treatment requires an investment in time, patients feel that the superior aesthetic and oral health benefits that our dental implants provide is well worth it. Since these tiny titanium posts are embedded directly in the jawbone, they provide unmatched strength and durability. At Woodstock General & Implant Dentistry, you can obtain all your dental implant treatment steps under one roof, and our highly accomplished doctors are here to support you all along the way.

Initial Consultation

Your consultation is an extremely important aspect of your successful treatment. If you are a candidate for dental implants, your doctor will take the time to explain the entire procedure and what you can expect along the way. This is also the time to discuss your overall health history so that we can determine the best course of action and plan for any potential complications or additional services you may require. You will also have the chance to tour our world-class facility and meet additional members of our team.

Assessment

The next stage of the process is to conduct an in-depth, personal assessment of your specific case. This rigorous planning phase is vital to the success of your implant treatment as it enables your doctor to determine the overall scope of your procedures, the best type of dental implants to be used, and the appropriate restoration for you.

It will also determine whether you will require bone grafting prior to implant surgery. During this time, your doctor will create 3-D images with a Cone Beam Computer Tomography scanner (CBCT). This incredibly advanced tool will allow us to use a computer-guided system for optimal placement of your dental implants. We will also take impressions for our dental lab to custom-craft your restoration prosthesis.

Surgery

Your customized procedure will be meticulously planned well before the day of your surgery. Given our unparalleled experience and expertise, you can rest assured that your operation will run smoothly and efficiently. We will also offer sedation dentistry, if needed, to ensure your comfort and relieve any potential anxiety.

Dental implant surgery involves the insertion of small titanium posts into your jawbone. Your doctor will perform another CT scan to make sure that your implants are properly placed. Then he will affix a temporary restoration for you to wear while your implants heal and fuse with your jawbone.

Healing Period

The healing period lasts for several months, and it is highly dependent upon your individual case. Patients who require a bone graft prior to surgery may need additional time to heal.

Your doctor will give you very specific post-operative instructions and guidelines to make your recovery as quick and comfortable as possible. Most patients find that recovery is easier than they expected. If you experience any difficulties, our team is available to address the issue and help you through the process.

Attaching the Restoration

This final step takes place after your implants have fully integrated with your jawbone tissue and any needed abutments have been placed. At that time, they are ready to be affixed with an implant-supported denture, crown, or bridge. We offer a variety of fixed and removable implant-supported restorations so that your new smile will look great, function well, and complement your lifestyle. After your doctor attaches your restoration, he will make sure it fits properly and that you understand how to care for it.

We offer a variety of fixed and removable implant-supported restorations so that your new smile will look great, function well, and complement your lifestyle. After your final restoration is attached, we will make sure it looks natural, fits properly and that you understand how to care for it.