Dental Crowns and Bridges in Massachusetts
Reviving Smiles with Tooth Crowns & Bridges
There’s something truly magical about the confidence that comes from a bright, healthy smile. It’s how you greet the world, how you share joy with loved ones, and how you feel about yourself every day. If you're looking to restore a damaged tooth or replace missing teeth, our crowns and bridges are designed to bring back that spark. At Thrive Dental Co. we believe everyone deserves to have a functional smile that they’re proud of, and we're here to help you shine again with thoughtful, expert care.
What are dental crowns and how can they help?
Dental crowns are custom-made caps that fit over a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance. They are like little protective shields for your teeth, designed to look and feel natural. Crowns are most beneficial when a tooth is cracked, severely worn down, or has undergone a large filling or root canal. They help prevent further damage while restoring the tooth’s full functionality.
Dental crowns offer both aesthetic and functional perks. From an aesthetic perspective, they seamlessly blend with your natural teeth, improving the overall appearance of your smile. Our dental crowns are designed to match your existing teeth and our dental crowns to not include silver. Functionally, they restore your ability to chew and speak comfortably, giving your teeth the support they need to function properly. Crowns also provide long-term durability, helping to protect your tooth for many years to come.
What are dental bridges and how can they help?
Dental bridges are designed to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth. Just like their name suggests, a bridge spans the space where teeth are missing, using the surrounding natural teeth or dental implants for support. These replacement teeth are carefully crafted to look and feel natural, restoring not just your smile but the function of your bite as well. Bridges are an ideal solution when you’re missing one or more teeth, offering a long-lasting, stable replacement that blends seamlessly with your other teeth.
One of the most significant benefits of a dental bridge is that it prevents surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space, which could lead to misalignment and further dental issues down the road. By filling the gap, a bridge helps maintain the structure of your mouth, protecting your natural teeth from unnecessary wear and tear. Plus, you’ll enjoy an improved ability to chew and speak, along with a more complete smile.
Dental bridges, much like crowns, are built to last. With proper care and maintenance, a dental bridge can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, or even longer. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are key to ensuring the longevity of your bridge. It's also worth noting that bridges can be an excellent alternative to dental implants. While implants involve a surgical procedure to place a post in the jawbone, bridges rely on existing teeth for support, making them a less invasive option for replacing missing teeth. This makes them a suitable choice for those who may not be candidates for implants or prefer a different approach to tooth replacement.
The Process of Fitting Crowns and Bridges
Consultation and Custom Treatment Planning
Your journey to a healthier, more radiant smile begins with a personalized consultation. At Thrive Dental Co. we believe that every smile is unique, which is why we take the time to truly understand your goals. During your initial visit, we’ll perform a thorough dental exam, assess the health of your teeth and gums, and discuss your vision for your smile.
What sets our treatment planning apart, especially for larger cosmetic cases, is our focus on bite alignment. Utilizing Kois principles, we carefully plan and adjust your bite to ensure it’s not only comfortable but also highly functional and long-lasting. By getting the bite right from the start, we help prevent future complications like tooth movement or breaking, so your results last longer and feel natural.
Preparation of Your Teeth
Before placing your dental crown or dental bridge, we need to prepare the teeth to ensure the best possible fit and function. For crowns, this involves reshaping the affected tooth. We’ll carefully remove a small amount of the tooth’s surface to create room for the crown to fit snugly over it, restoring its original shape and size while reinforcing its strength. This precise reshaping allows the crown to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, ensuring a comfortable fit that both looks great and functions properly.
When it comes to dental bridges, the preparation process includes treating the abutment teeth — these are the healthy or possibly damaged teeth on either side of the gap that will support the bridge. Similar to crowns, we’ll reshape these teeth to make room for crowns, which will anchor the bridge securely in place. The goal is to ensure that your bridge is stable and functional while protecting the remaining teeth from unnecessary strain.
Impression Taking and Temporary Protection
Once your teeth have been prepared, the next step is to capture an incredibly precise impression for your custom crown or bridge. At Thrive Dental Co. we use the latest in digital technology with our iTero scanner — no more goopy, icky impression materials! The iTero scanner creates a detailed 3D image of your teeth, ensuring that your final restoration will fit perfectly and function just like your natural teeth.
While your custom crown or bridge is being created, we’ll provide a temporary restoration to protect your teeth. These temporary crowns or bridges help shield the prepared teeth from sensitivity, damage, and further movement. They also allow you to continue with your normal daily activities without discomfort while you wait for your permanent restoration.
Permanent Fitting and Adjustments
Once your custom crown or bridge is ready, it’s time for the final fitting. During this appointment, we’ll carefully place the restoration and make sure it fits comfortably and securely. Our priority is not just to restore the appearance of your smile but also to guarantee optimal function and long-term comfort.
We focus on Kois equilibration, which means we pay close attention to your bite alignment, making sure your teeth come together in a balanced and natural way. By fine-tuning your bite with Kois principles, we can ensure that your new crown or bridge won’t cause unnecessary stress or wear on your surrounding teeth. This careful adjustment process helps to prevent future issues like discomfort, tooth movement, or even breaking, so your restoration lasts as long as possible.
Any minor adjustments needed for fit or appearance will be made during this visit to ensure everything is just right. By the time you leave, your smile will not only look beautiful but will feel great, too, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Restore Your Smile with Our Professional Dental Crowns and Bridges Today
Opting for dental crowns and bridges at Thrive Dental Co. is a transformative experience that goes beyond just improving your smile. Our personalized approach ensures not only a beautiful, natural-looking restoration but also long-lasting comfort and functionality. With our focus on precise bite alignment using Kois principles, we ensure that your restorations feel as great as they look — giving you the confidence to eat, speak, and smile freely again.
If you’re ready to explore your options for a brighter, healthier smile, we invite you to schedule a free virtual consultation with Dr. Jenny. She’ll guide you through every step of the process, from assessing your dental needs to planning a custom solution that suits your unique goals.
Contact Thrive Dental Co. to learn more about how crowns and bridges can bring back your smile and your confidence.