Fillings, Crowns & Bridges in Suwanee

What Are Dental Fillings?

A tooth filling restores a damaged or decayed tooth, giving it back its shape, appearance, and function. Filling in the cavity also prevents plaque from being trapped in the hole, preventing further decay.

What Are Dental Bridges and Crowns for Teeth?

Crowns, or dental caps, are restorations that completely cover a tooth. Crowns can hide discolored or misshapen teeth, anchor a crown, or strengthen a weakened tooth. Bridges are a fixed solution for missing teeth. The bridge will have one or two artificial teeth with a crown on each end.

Who Should I See for a Crown, Bridge, or Filling?

Your neighborhood general dentist can perform tooth fillings and more advanced restorative options such as crowns and bridges. Call our office if you need one of our skilled dentists to restore or replace a tooth while ensuring your smile always looks natural.

How Much Will a Filling, Bridge, or Dental Crown Cost?

Your tooth filling cost primarily depends on the filling material you select. Your crown and dental bridge cost will vary greatly as these are custom fixed restorations. The material you select will play a major role in determining your cost. If you have dental insurance coverage, this will affect your out-of-pocket cost. Call our office to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists and he or she will explain your anticipated cost.

Which Is the Best Tooth Filling Material?

Several factors, including cost, the tooth’s location and the size of the cavity will determine the best filling material in your case. Dentists often suggest an amalgam, or metal alloy, filling for molars because of the material’s strength. Composite resin fillings are virtually invisible. However, they are not suitable for large cavities. Your dentist may also suggest gold or porcelain fillings sometimes.

What Is the Best Material for a Tooth Crown?

If you want a strong crown which will last longer than any other crown, choose gold. A gold alloy crown won’t chip or crack, but many patients don’t want a gold crown on a tooth which is easily seen. Porcelain crowns are the most beautiful; their natural translucency mimics that of tooth enamel. If you are looking for a front tooth crown, porcelain is probably your best choice. If you want the strength of metal, but the appearance of porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are the best overall choice.

What Types of Bridges Do Dentists Recommend?

Dentists usually suggest conventional bridges when you have one or two adjacent teeth missing and healthy teeth on either side to anchor the bridge. If you only have one healthy tooth next to a gap, your dentist may recommend a cantilever bridge. A cantilever bridge can only replace one missing tooth in the front of your mouth. If you want to learn more about your options for a tooth bridge, please call our office and request a consultation with one of our dentists.

How Do Dentists Ensure I’ll Get a Natural Looking Crown?

In only two appointments, you can have a natural looking, well-fitting crown. During your first appointment, your dentist will make an impression of your tooth and bite and then shape your tooth for the crown. He or she will take another impression of the tooth to ensure the crown the dental lab fabricated fits well. You’ll receive a temporary crown to protect the tooth until your second appointment, when the temporary crown comes off and the new, permanent one goes on.

How Do Dentists Ensure I’ll Get a Well Fitting Bridge?

You only need two appointments to get a bridge, but follow-up appointments are essential. During your first visit, your dentist takes two impressions and shapes the teeth which will have crowns in between. You’ll have a temporary bridge held in place with temporary dental cement. When you come back, your permanent bridge is ready and your dentist will remove the temporary bridge. Your dentist will ensure your bridge fits well, but he or she may also place your permanent bridge in with temporary cement and ask you to come back in a week or so. If you don’t notice any issues, your dentist permanently cements your bridge in place.