Fillings, crowns, & bridges in Pinellas Park

A dental filling is commonly referred to as a tooth filling. It is a substance that is used to restore a tooth affected by decay back to its normal shape and function. When a dentist places a filling, he or she will remove the decayed tooth material. The tooth will then be properly cleaned before a filling made of porcelain, gold or some other substance is placed in the tooth. Fillings help protect teeth from becoming more decayed or damaged.

Crowns and bridges are specific types of permanent prosthetic devices that are affixed to the teeth via high-bond dental cement and that can only be removed by a dentist. Crowns for teeth are commonly referred to as dental caps. This is because they are placed over the top of the teeth. A tooth bridge is a type of device that attaches to the teeth on either side of a gap, with pontic teeth in between.

If you need a filling, crown or a bridge, you can visit your regular dentist. After he or she has examined your teeth, gums and mouth, a recommendation for treatment will be made based on your individual needs.

Fillings, crowns, and bridges are all custom-made devices, therefore the exact cost will differ between patients. There are many different things that determine what a person will have to pay for their restorative treatment. These things include the location of the work being done, the materials utilized, and if you have dental insurance. After your initial examination, your dentist will provide you with an estimate of your tooth filling cost, dental bridge cost, or dental crown cost.

While there are several types of fillings that you can get, your dentist will advise you on the type of tooth filling that will work best for you and your tooth. Some options are able to blend into your teeth. Popular types of fillings are porcelain, tooth-colored composite, silver amalgam, and gold.

A tooth crown can also be constructed from different materials. Ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and gold alloy are the most popular types of dental crown materials. The exact type your dentist will use will depend on where the tooth is located. For example, ceramic crowns are typically used for your front teeth, while gold crowns are placed in the back of the mouth.

Our dentists also offer different types of tooth bridges. A traditional tooth bridge is usually created with a crown for an implant or adjoining teeth. A row of pontic teeth is then used to fill the gap created by the missing tooth or teeth.

In most cases, you can expect your procedure for your dental crown to take place over two visits. At your first appointment, your dentist will shape and prepare the affected tooth. He or she will make a mold of your tooth. This mold is used to create your final crown. A temporary crown will be placed over the tooth until your permanent one comes in. Your second appointment is where your dentist will place the crown over the tooth with dental cement. Each part of the procedure takes around 30 minutes to an hour to finish.

It usually takes two appointments to have a bridge installed. During the first visit, your dentist will scrape off a portion of the enamel from the teeth of the abutment teeth. An impression of the teeth will be made so that your bridge and crowns can be custom fit. You will wear a temporary bridge until then. Your second visit consists of your dentist installing the bridge and ensuring that it fits comfortably in your mouth.