Dental Crowns & Bridges in Columbus, OH

Broken or missing teeth significantly impact your quality of life. When you can't properly chew and eat your food, it impacts your diet and nutrition. If you don't feel confident about smiling, it can affect how you interact with other people and impact your personal and professional relationships.

A porcelain crown can repair a broken or cracked tooth, while a bridge fills in the gap left by a missing tooth. Dr. Shiflett can help you reclaim your smile and regain chewing function and confidence with dental bridges or crowns in Columbus. 

What Is a Dental Crown?

A crown is a protective cap for your tooth that can be made of a tooth-colored material such as porcelain and zirconia or a metal such as gold.

Dental crowns in Columbus, OH, are needed when a significant portion of the tooth has been lost or broken or when the tooth has had a root canal. Crowns are also used to fix a cracked tooth, often caused by clenching and grinding (bruxism) or from an old silver filling (called an amalgam).

If you are having pain or tenderness when biting or chewing, your tooth may have a crack that can be fixed with a crown. Temperature sensitivity in your tooth can also be an indicator of damage or decay in your tooth that we may be able to repair with a crown.

Call our dental office in Clintonville to ask our dental team about crowns, bridges, or anything else!

When your tooth needs a crown, your first dental appointment will involve Dr. Shiflett shaping the tooth and fixing any large defects. We will take a mold, or impression, of the prepared tooth and send it to the dental lab that will make your crown. We will create a temporary crown for you to wear while your new crown is being made.

Your second appointment will consist of removing the temporary crown and cleaning the tooth. We will then try on your crown and make sure you approve of the size, shape, and color. After adjusting it to fit your tooth and your bite, Dr. Shiflett will permanently cement your crown in place and send you on your way.

Now you're ready to chew, eat, and smile with your new tooth!

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge is one option for replacing missing teeth, and the procedure is essentially the same as for a crown and requires two appointments at Shiflett Family Dental.

In the case of a single missing tooth, the teeth on either side of the space are used for support. We place a crown on each tooth next door to the space, with a fake crown "bridging" the gap between. This bridge is one piece, and we cement it in your mouth permanently. It is very stable and can be a great option for those only missing one or a couple of adjacent teeth.

It is important to note, however, that a bridge requires maintenance once completed. It is essential that you floss around and beneath your bridge in order to help prevent cavities. If one of the supporting teeth for your bridge develops decay or a cavity, or if it breaks, it will compromise the entire bridge.

Oftentimes, the teeth on either side of the space are not in need of a crown, so we are removing healthy tooth structure from two teeth in order to replace one. This is not ideal since no material can replace your natural tooth completely. However, getting your dental bridge in Columbus, OH, can be an excellent choice that saves money if the neighboring teeth already need a crown.

Dental implants can replace teeth without removing healthy tooth structures from adjacent teeth and are often about the same cost as a bridge, depending on your needs. A dental implant is an excellent option because it also replaces the root of your tooth, so it's the closest option to a natural tooth that you can get. Dental implants can also support a dental bridge to replace multiple teeth.

Dr. Shiflett will be sure to take the time to discuss the different types of bridges and your tooth replacement options with you and help you select the right choice for your unique situation.

Of course, there are accidents or trauma that can't be avoided, and we're here to help if you have a dental emergency. However, there are some situations of tooth infections or decay that you can actually avoid. 

With routine teeth cleanings and checkups, we can help you protect your smile by detecting problems like tooth decay, worn or broken restorations, or gum disease early before they become more problematic conditions that could lead to broken or missing teeth.

During every bi-annual exam, Dr. Shiflett screens you for problems like gum disease and tooth decay, which can lead to broken or missing teeth. He will also check the health of your current restorations, looking for breakdown, which could also result in decay or damage to your tooth.

Early detection gives you more options for less invasive and less expensive treatment procedures. When you consistently visit your Columbus dentist every six months, we can help you protect your smile, dental health, and wallet.

Contact Shiflett Family Dental to Schedule Your Appointment

If you're living with wear or other damage to your teeth, call us to schedule a consult at our dental office in Clintonville at (614) 968-8752 and find out what is right for you. You can also book an evaluation with Dr. Shiflett online.