Should you have a tooth that is discolored, badly shaped, weak or broken, you may need a crown to cover and restore it to its normal shape and size—and it looks like a natural tooth. Dr. Thomas also uses a crown to cover a dental implant, a large filling or to attach a bridge.
If you're missing one or more teeth, you’ll notice a difference in chewing and speaking—in addition to the less-than-ideal appearance. Dr. Thomas can correct this with a bridge that helps maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviating the stress in your bite with artificial replacement teeth. The material can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination. Depending on the support of surrounding teeth, your dentist can recommend different types of bridges. A bridge can be bonded onto other teeth—this type of bridge is sometimes called a fixed partial denture which can only be removed by at our dental office. You could be a candidate for a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean yourself. Finally, if Dr. Thomas recommends an implant bridge, artificial teeth will be attached directly to the jaw or under the gum tissue.
