Find out the best times to get dental crowns and bridges for your smile.

It can be tough to figure out which cosmetic restoration is right for your dental problems. But this is where your Honolulu, HI cosmetic dentist Dr. Ken Yasuhara comes in. We can tell you the right times to consider getting dental crowns and bridges to improve your oral health.

When is a dental crown used?

This tooth-shaped cap is placed over the entire crown of your tooth to improve aesthetics, function or shape. After the tooth is properly prepared, the custom-made crown will be fitted and then cemented into place.

Your Honolulu dentist may recommend getting a dental crown if:

• Your large filling is no longer stable enough to maintain your tooth’s structure
• You have a weak tooth that is prone to further fractures, cracks or chips
• You need to restore a tooth that has been damaged by infection, decay or trauma
• You want to cover a severely discolored or malformed tooth
• You need to cover a dental implant
• You are getting a dental bridge (dental crowns are used to support the bridge and keep it in place)

When is a dental bridge the right choice?

We may recommend getting a dental bridge if you need to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge will also prevent the rest of your natural teeth from shifting out of place, which can increase your chances of developing gum disease or other issues like TMJ disorder.

There are two types of dental bridges: permanent ones and removable ones. Removable bridges are also known as partial dentures. Permanent bridges are cemented into place using two dental crowns. To get a permanent dental bridge you will need to have healthy adjacent teeth that can be prepared for dental crowns. A bridge consists of two dental crowns on either end with a false tooth in the middle. The bridge will need healthy natural teeth to support it.

Of course, we’ll want to make sure that you continue to keep your mouth healthy and free of gum disease or cavities once you get your new restoration. Ideal candidates will maintain good oral hygiene, will visit their general dentist in Honolulu regularly and will be dedicated to properly caring for their new restoration.

Turn to Ken Yasuhara Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry in Honolulu for all of your smile needs. From preventive care to smile makeovers, we do it all!