Fillings, Crowns, & Bridges in Milwaukee

Restorative treatments from a local dentist can help to preserve your smile. When we put off treatment, we increase our risk for tooth loss. Not fixing a damaged tooth can also put the rest of our teeth at risk when decay and structural issues are allowed to compromise our oral health. The good news is that your local dentist has a variety of solutions for repairing, restoring, or replacing damaged teeth. That means that you can once again enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile that you want to confidently share with the world. 

Here at our dental office, our highly rated dentists offer a variety of restoration treatments to get your oral health back on track. New dental technology makes getting tooth fillings, crowns, and bridges easier than ever. Keep reading to learn more about getting a tooth restored. If you already know that you need to speak with a dentist about fillings or restorative treatment, don't hesitate to call our office today to get your appointment booked!

What Are Tooth Fillings?

Also known as dental fillings, tooth fillings are used to repair decayed teeth by adding structural materials. A tooth filling is one of the most common dental treatments used today. In fact, getting a filling when decay is still new can truly save a tooth.

When a dentist places a filling, the decayed or compromised materials within the tooth are removed. The tooth is then thoroughly cleaned out before the dentist fills the tooth with a filling made of porcelain, gold, or another safe material. The filling provides the strength and structure a tooth needs to thrive. Generally, a filling can keep a tooth restored for many years following a serious cavity or decay.

While not as common as ordinary fillings, a temporary tooth filling may be used in some cases. Temporary fillings are sometimes used to provide fast emergency relief for tooth pain. You may also be given a filling if you're waiting for a custom crown to be made. If you need to have a root canal, your dentist might also use a filling while the tissue is settling after surgery instead of applying your permanent filling immediately.

When Are Dental Crowns and Bridges Used?

Dental crowns and bridges are also very common when treating decayed or damaged teeth. While the process of installing crowns and bridges can be more complicated than placing a filling, preserving an original tooth is still the goal. Unlike removable dentures and dental appliances, crowns and bridges are permanently installed in the mouth by a dentist in order to provide natural-feeling and natural-looking performance. Crowns and bridges are attached to your existing natural teeth using high-bond cement in order to give you the experience of having a fully intact smile and bite.

With a crown, a dentist is capping a damaged tooth entirely. In addition to creating an attractive aesthetic, this option also seals off the existing tooth in order to keep it preserved and protected. Crowns are recommended when only one tooth needs to be restored. With a bridge, a dentist is applying a row of dental appliances with ends that attach to abutting teeth on either side. This is why bridges are recommended when a patient has several damaged teeth. In some cases, dental implants are used instead of natural teeth to provide anchoring for a bridge.

Does a Dentist Near Me Provide Tooth Fillings, Crowns, and Bridges?

Crown and bridge installations can be performed locally by your neighborhood dentist! If you suspect that you may need crowns for teeth or a bridge in your mouth due to visible decay or damage, don't hesitate to book a consultation to have your teeth examined. Your dentist will do everything possible to preserve your natural tooth using a tooth crown or dental bridge work. What's more, some patients who assume that a serious cavity that they have been ignoring will require bridge dental work actually just need to have a filling placed. The bottom line is that it's important to never ignore any signs of damage or decay in your mouth because fixing a problem early is going to help you to save time and money.

Of course, your dentist may simply notice that a tooth needs restorative work during a routine cleaning. This is just another reason why it's so important to schedule routine dental exams. When you visit our dental practice, your dentist will discuss all of the restorative options available to you. Our friendly staff will be happy to go over all of your questions about insurance and payment plans.

How Much Will My Filling, Dental Bridge, or Crown Cost?

The truth is that there's no quick and easy way to provide an estimate for the cost of a crown, filling, or bridge. Tooth filling cost, dental bridge cost, and dental crown cost can vary by patient based on a number of different factors. Keep in mind that every dental appliance we provide here at our office is customized for the patient. We also provide different options for the types of materials used when fabricating your restorative appliance.

After a consultation with our dental team that includes an examination, we'll be able to provide you with an accurate estimate for everything from cavity filling cost to the price for extensive restorative work. We'll also go over your insurance with you to see what your final charges might look like. Rest assured that our team understands that cost often weighs heavily in patient decisions when choosing various restorative and cosmetic options. We provide an informative, pressure-free setting where you will be able to explore different options for maintaining a healthy, vibrant smile.

What Options Are Available When Filling a Tooth?

Modern fillings are made from a variety of safe and durable materials that are designed to look and function just like natural tooth enamel. Some of the most popular options at our dental office include:

• Enamel-colored composite
• Gold
• Porcelain
• Silver amalgam

Don't worry if you're not sure which option is best for you! Our dental team will give you all of the information you need to determine which option works best for your unique needs.

What Types of Crowns Are Available?

Crowns for your teeth can be made of different materials. The standard options are porcelain crowns, porcelain ceramic crown, and gold crown tooth designs. Generally, we help patients to select the right option based on whether they need a front tooth crown or back tooth crown. Generally, ceramic crowns are ideal when restoring front teeth because they provide a realistic-looking, attractive way to protect a tooth. Gold can be a more durable option for back teeth.

What Happens When You Get a Permanent Dental Bridge?

Our dental practice offers a variety of bridge options to help our patients enjoy functional, natural-looking smiles. A traditional bridge is made by fabricating a custom crown that will serve as a dental cap for a natural tooth or implant. Next, a row of artificial teeth that are called pontics will be placed between the anchor teeth.

There's a lot of room for customization when creating dental bridges. If adjacent teeth are available for anchoring on just one side of the area that requires a front teeth bridge, a cantilever dental bridge may be recommended. You may be concerned about how you will resume daily life with confidence while you're waiting for your custom dental bridge to be created after tooth loss. While you're in the midst of restoring your smile, our dental office will provide you with a temporary dental bridge that provides aesthetic benefits while also keeping teeth and gums protected.

What Happens When You Get a Crown on Your Tooth?

Tooth crowns essentially work as dental caps. However, the process isn't as easy as simply placing a false tooth over an existing tooth that has been damaged. During your first visit with our office, we will prepare and shape the affected tooth to get it ready to be concealed by your new custom crown. Once that's done, we'll take impressions of how the tooth looks to begin the process of creating a custom-made crown. Don't worry about walking out the door with a tooth that has been visibly slimmed or reshaped. We'll provide you with a temporary crown that you'll be able to use until your next trip to our office. Once your crown is made, we'll call you back in to get your new permanent crown placed and cemented.

What Happens When You Get a Tooth Bridge?

In most cases, a person can get a custom bridge made and fitted in just two relatively quick appointments. When you come to see us for your initial visit, your dentist will prepare the teeth that will be used as anchors for your bridge. You may hear your dentist refer to these teeth as the abutment teeth. The reason why they need to be prepared is that your dentist will be removing a small portion of enamel in order to ensure the bridge sticks. During this same visit, we'll take impressions of your teeth that will help us to create your custom bridge for you. When you return for your second visit, your custom bridge will be ready for you! After placing the tooth bridge in your mouth, your dentist will make any alterations needed to create a perfect fit that looks and feels natural in your mouth. Call today to book a consultation to discuss bridges and other forms of dental work.