← Return to list of services

Crowns, Bridges, and Veneers

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, Dr. Vera can help you choose the best solution. Crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that function and look like natural, healthy teeth. They are considered “full coverage protection” and support the tooth from chipping and cracking. Veneers are a less invasive alternative, but may only be a solution for those with slight tooth damage or discoloration. These thin porcelain or resin shells come in customizable colors and are bonded to the surface of your teeth.

 

Crowns

A crown, is custom-fitted to your bite and is placed over your natural tooth or dental implant. Crowns are recommended for severely broken down or heavily restored teeth, as well as for all root canal treated teeth. This is because fillings alone do not strengthen your teeth - fillings just fill a void and can actually create wedging forces and can encourage fractures. A crown wraps the tooth in a very strong material and prevents forces from breaking off pieces of tooth/filling and from teeth fracturing catastrophically.

Procedure:

  1. We will reduce the problematic tooth for a proper crown fit

  2. An impression will be taken of your bite for crown fabrication

  3. The color of porcelain prosthetics can then be customized

  4. We will fit you with a temporary crown until the lab makes your permanent one

  5. You will come in again for permanent crown fitting

 

Bridges

To replace a missing tooth that has neighboring teeth with decay and/or large fillings, or a tooth that has been missing for a long time (i.e., with gum recession around the area), we recommend bridges as opposed to dental implants.

Types of Bridges:

  • Traditional — Caps are bonded over teeth that lie on either side of the missing one

  • Cantilever — Cap is bonded over a single tooth next to the missing one

  • Resin-bonded — Porcelain or plastic teeth with gums that are supported by metal “wings”

 

Veneers

If you’re looking to cosmetically correct or enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, we suggest veneers. They are very thin, porcelain or resin shells that you can customize in color and shape. They are minimally invasive, conservative and are resistant to future stains.

Common uses for veneers:

  • Chipped or broken teeth

  • Misshapen or irregular teeth

  • Teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments