Austin Dental Crowns and Bridges

Dr. Tejas Patel is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Crowns and Bridges.


Q. What are dental crowns and tooth bridges?

A. Dental crowns or caps are used to be placed over existing teeth to improve the strength of teeth.  Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain and metal or all porcelain.  Crowns are usually placed when a tooth is broken or weakened.  Many times teeth with failing large silver fillings may need crowns due to extensive damage to the tooth.  Teeth that have had root canals also may get crowns to help strengthen the tooth after the procedure is completed.  In order for a crown to be completed a layer of tooth structure has to be removed to allow for the room and thickness of the crown material.  A crown covers the top and all sides of the tooth.  Crowns are usually done in 2 visits but with new technology can even be done in one visit now.  In instances where it takes 2 visits, the tooth is fit with a temporary crown in the interim time, while a dental lab creates the permanent and final crown.  Tooth bridges are a way to replace missing teeth.  The way a bridge works is that a crown is prepared on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth.  A bridge is made that covers those teeth and has an artificial tooth connecting to other teeth to "bridge over the gap." Bridges are usually done in 2 visits, where a temporary bridge is worn for a few weeks while the permanent bridge is made.

Q. Is Root Treatment needed before a Crown-Bridge?

A. Not always, if the existing tooth has broken and the nerve is exposed, there is a deep cavity or filling that goes to the nerve, or there is infection in the tooth, or if the tooth has had multiple procedures done to it over time there many be a need for a root canal.  

Q. How are crowns and bridges made?

A. Crowns and bridges are usually made by a dental laboratory.  There are many here in Austin, in Texas and around the nation.  At the first visit, impressions are taken of the tooth that will receive the crown after it is been prepared.  These impressions are sent to the lab and the lab uses the impressions to create stone replicas of the tooth.  They then make the crown using these models.  The labs use gold, porcelain with metal or all porcelain to make the crown.  The process is the same for bridges. A cool new technology for crowns is that instead of having the lab make the crown and it taking 2 appts, we can now take digital impressions, scan the impression and use cad/cam technology to make all porcelain crowns in the office.  So now in many offices crowns can be completed in one visit. 

Q. How long do crowns and bridges last?

A. Crowns and bridges can last 10 -15 years or longer.  If made well and maintained with routine dental checkups and cleanings, they will last for a very long time.  I’ve many crowns in good condition past 15 years old....

Q. Is the procedure painful?

A. During the procedure, local anesthetic is given to numb the teeth that will be worked on.  So the procedure should be comfortable.  Many offices offer laughing gas to help with anxiety or even oral sedation for helping people who are very anxious.  

Q. How do I take care of my dental crowns and bridges?

A. Through normal brushing (twice a day) and flossing (once a day) and routine dental check ups(twice a year).  Bridges require a special flossing technique using a floss threader or bridge floss to clean under the bridged area.

Q. Are the non-metal crowns as strong as metal crowns?

A. With today’s materials for all porcelain or non metal crowns the strength is very comparable with the one supported by metal.  That’s exciting because now we have materials that are not only extremely strong but are very esthetic and natural looking.

Q. How to contact Dr. Patel  if we have further questions?

A. Email me at drtejas@lakewaysmiles.com or call 512 263-8337.  Thanks!