Dr. Harry McCool performs the dental bridge and dental crown procedures in the Atlanta, Georgia area as part of his restorative dentistry practice.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are prosthetics that “bridge” the area between teeth that are missing. The bridge is held in place by two anchors around the gap. The patient’s natural teeth, dental implants or both can be used as a support for the bridge. A bridge that replaces several teeth can prevent shifting of the other teeth, which can interfere with the patient’s ability to chew and speak and cause misalignment of the bite. Bridges can also keep the patient’s face from sagging due to missing teeth and help regain his or her smile.
Some bridges can be removed while others are installed permanently. As well as installing bridges, Dr. McCool can also repair them if they fail. Dental implants, however, are considered permanent and are less problematic in the long run. In this day and age, implants can be made to look amazingly like the patient’s natural teeth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are shaped in the form of the upper part of the tooth and are placed on top of a tooth that is so damaged that other cosmetic solutions like veneers may no longer be appropriate for it. Crowns can be made of many materials, including porcelain or metal. Gold is a popular metal for a crown. When the patient and dentist decide on a dental crown, the tooth is prepared. If there’s not enough of the tooth left, Dr. McCool can fortify it with a filling. Then, an impression is made of the tooth and sent to a dental lab where a technician will make the crown. This usually takes about two weeks. Then, the patient returns to the office and the crown is fixed to the natural tooth.
Dr. McCool also performs teeth whitening and applies porcelain veneers. If you are looking for an Atlanta, Georgia dentist who can replace missing teeth with a dental bridge or other restorative dental procedure, then Dr. Harry McCool can help you achieve that goal.