Palo Alto Dental Bridges & Partial Crowns

Damaged or missing teeth can interfere with your ability to eat, speak, and smile normally. These problems can also diminish your overall oral health. Missing teeth can cause surrounding teeth to shift and a weak or damaged tooth may be lost, if it is not restored. Phillip Fletcher DDS provides bridges and partial crowns in Palo Alto to create the ideal restoration for every patient.

If you're wondering if a bridge or partial crown is right for you, call (650) 456-7872 to book an appointment.

Replacing Missing Teeth with Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is used to replace two or more missing teeth. The bridge is attached to the teeth on either side of the space where the teeth are missing. This provides a strong, comfortable restoration that looks and feels natural. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants when the surrounding teeth are not strong or healthy enough to support the restoration.

Reasons to consider dental bridges include:

• Restores your ability to eat and speak normally
• Prevents shifting of the adjacent teeth
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Helps maintain natural face shape

Impressions and scans of the teeth are taken to plan and create a comfortable restoration that will fit perfectly and feel comfortable. The abutment teeth are prepared for the bridge. When the final restoration is ready, it is placed over the abutment teeth and cemented in place. With proper care, bridges can last for 10-15 years or even longer.

Partial Crowns

A dental crown is often used to repair a tooth that is weak, cracked, or fractured. When the damage is not bad enough to require a full crown, a partial crown can be used. Partial crowns are similar to full crowns, including being made of quality dental porcelain, custom-fit to the patient, and designed to match the natural color of your teeth. The main difference is the restoration doesn’t cover the entire tooth.

A partial crown may be the best option for restoring teeth with:

• Cracks
• Chips
• Cavities
• Old fillings that need to be replaced
• Damage that doesn’t require a full crown

Partial crowns are known as inlays or onlays, depending on where the restoration is placed. Inlays are used to restore the area of the tooth that is between the cusps of the biting surface of the teeth. Onlays are designed to cover the top and side of the teeth. One main advantage of partial crowns is less of the natural tooth structure needs to be removed to prepare the tooth than with a full crown.

Planning Your Restoration

After a thorough exam, we can discuss the options available for restoring your smile, including dental bridges and partial crowns in Palo Alto. We make every effort to use a conservative approach to restorations to help preserve your natural teeth and overall oral health. Our goal is to provide quality care and reliable recommendations for our patients without pressure.

We prioritize patient communication and take the time to explain the options that are available for restoring your smile and help you make an informed decision. Our staff members speak many languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Farsi to ensure the highest quality care and service for every patient. Financing options are available through Care Credit for dental bridges and partial crowns in Palo Alto.

Give us a call today at (650) 456-7872 to arrange an appointment to discuss bridges or partial crowns with our dentist.