Dental Crowns & Bridges in Springfield, IL

Losing a tooth due to trauma, deep cavities, or periodontal disease leads into the conversation of what the options are to replace the tooth once it’s gone. The options involve removable appliances or something that is fixed in the mouth. If you are considering a fixed solution, it will come down to two options: bridge vs. an implant.

Dental Implants

An implant is a threaded titanium post that is placed into the jaw where the bone will integrate around it. Once the implant is healed an abutment and crown can be attached to the dental implant. This implant crown will look and function like the rest of the teeth in your mouth. The biggest positive in choosing an implant versus a bridge is that we do not have to drill on the adjacent tooth to accomplish our goal of tooth replacement. However, in most cases, the implant process will cost slightly more than a bridge, and will take longer to complete versus doing a dental bridge.

Dental Bridges

Before dental implants, dental bridges had been the go-to procedure for tooth replacement and can provide excellent results. The procedure involves shaping down the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. This then allows a dental crown to go on the two shaped teeth with a third dental crown anchored in the middle. It essentially is three crowns connected together that fill the space of the missing tooth. A dental bridge over an implant makes sense when there isn’t adequate bone for an implant to be placed, health concerns with placing an implant, or if the adjacent teeth already require major work.

Discover Restorative Dentistry in Springfield, IL

Each patient and scenario is unique when deciding your options on tooth replacement. If you are missing a tooth and/or teeth, or know you will be losing a tooth soon, contacting a dentist to discuss options is the best place to start. If you are seeking a dental office who has experience in both dental bridges and dental implants, contact Ruggless Dental today - your Springfield IL dental office.

If you have a deeply decayed tooth that is too damaged for a traditional tooth-colored filling, your dentist may talk to you about a dental crown.

A dental crown is a tooth cap designed to look like neighboring teeth. It restores the tooth, preventing breakage while reinforcing your bite.

Dental Crowns in Springfield, IL

Dental crowns have a variety of practical and essential uses:

• Supporting a tooth after a root canal infection
• Preventing loss due to severe decay or trauma
• Concealing tooth flaws, including chips and stains
• Anchoring a dental bridge to healthy teeth
• Topping a dental implant post

With cleared infections, trauma, and decay, a dental crown may save you from losing the tooth naturally or to extraction.  

Preparing a Tooth for Crowning

Your dentist treats the decay or trauma, shaping the tooth for capping with your custom dental crown. This means leveling the tooth to a degree and removing jagged bits or old filling material. Then, the crown is adjusted for fit and color before we cement it over the tooth.

Contact Your Dentist in Springfield, IL

If you have a broken or crumbling tooth, contact our dental team as soon as possible. Waiting may mean extraction instead of a dental crown. Also, call us if you have any questions about dental restoration.

Dental bridges are an effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. If you're wondering whether a dental bridge is right for you, consider the following factors:

• Overall oral health. Oral health plays a big role in determining eligibility for a dental bridge. The adjacent teeth that support a bridge, also known as “abutment teeth,” must be sufficiently healthy and strong to provide a stable foundation for the bridge.
• Sufficient abutment teeth. To support a dental bridge, a patient must have healthy abutment teeth on both sides of the gap left by their missing teeth. Though these teeth might require dental crowns or other adjustments, they must be structurally capable of supporting the bridge.
• Healthy gums. Healthy gums are essential for a successful dental bridge. Patients with gum disease or other gum issues must address these issues before a bridge can be placed.

Ultimately, the best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for a dental bridge is by consulting with your dentist, who will assess your oral health, lay out your options, and provide a recommendation based on your specific situation.

Dental Bridges in Springfield, IL

If you’re looking for a Springfield, IL dentist with the experience and expertise to help you determine whether you’re an appropriate candidate for a dental bridge and ensure the successful placement of that bridge, contact dentist Dr. Shane Ruggless and the Ruggless Dental team to schedule a consultation!

Dental crowns, typically made from porcelain or ceramic materials, are generally more resistant to staining and discoloration than natural teeth. However, over time, they can develop slight discoloration due to exposure to tobacco products and pigmented foods and beverages.

Unlike natural teeth, dental crowns cannot be whitened using traditional teeth whitening methods like bleaching agents. Since the outside of a crown is not porous like natural enamel, topical whitening agents cannot penetrate the surface to remove stains.

What If My Dental Crown Is Discolored?

If you have a dental crown that’s become discolored, the most effective solution is to have it replaced with a new crown. This option comes at a cost but is the most effective way to restore the natural look of your smile. For guidance on the best course of action, visit your dentist for an assessment of your dental crown discoloration. 

Precisely Placing Dental Crowns in Topeka, IL

If you're looking for a top-quality dentist in Springfield, IL, or nearby Topeka to provide you with the guidance and restorative care necessary to ensure the longevity and long-term aesthetics of your dental crowns and smile as a whole, contact Dr. Shane Ruggless, DDS, and our friendly and knowledgeable here at Ruggless Dental to schedule a consultation!