What role does the dental technician play in the crown and bridge process?

The entire fabrication of a crown or a bridge that is made in the lab is in the hands of the technician. The technician utilizes several techniques from lost wax to pressed ceramics to fabricate the prosthesis. Therefore the quality of the crown/bridge is directly related to the quality of the laboratory and the technician. The newer techniques and materials allow for milled ceramic crowns, that are metal free and highly strong and esthetic. This is where dentistry is heading in technology. In our practice we have the ability to mill prosthesis, crown and bridges, with CAD/CAM technology, in a single visit for our patients. This eliminates the second visit for delivery, therefore no temporaries are needed. Everything to be done from preparation, design, and fabrication is done right at the chairside.

Will a Dental Bridge change how I speak?

If the bridge is done on the anterior teeth (front teeth), it can affect the speech, but generally if done correctly, it is a temporary change and the brain will learn how to adjust for correct phonetics.

What is the procedure for crowning a tooth?

Generally a local anesthetic is used to numb the area. The tooth is then prepared with a high speed handpiece instrument to reduce the diameter of the tooth 360 degrees by about 1-2mm, depending on the material of the crown being fabricated. The tooth is then either molded or scanned to obtain an accurate measurement. The mold is then shipped to the laboratory for fabrication and a temporary crown is made to cover the tooth while the lab is fabricating the crown. In the case where a CAD/CAM technology is used in the office, the crown is fabricated in the premise of the dental office, and is installed by a dental adhesive onto the tooth.

Is the crown procedure painful?

If adequate steps are taken by the dentist, the crown procedure is very comfortable by utilizing local anesthetics.