Fillings, Crowns & Bridges in Suffern, NY

What Is a Dental Filling?

When you have tooth decay, it creates a hole in your tooth. After your dentist removes the decay, you will have a cavity, or hole, left in your tooth. Dental fillings fill the cavity with your choice of material, making your tooth whole again. If you don’t get a filling, your tooth may break next time you bite down on something hard. Fillings also keep plaque and bits of food from getting trapped in the cavity, which would cause more decay.

What Are Crowns and Dental Bridges?

Our dentists use both indirect restorations to restore smiles. Indirect restorations are fabricated in a lab and then placed by a dentist. Crowns, also called dental caps, cover a broken or compromised tooth. Dentists also use crowns to cover a misaligned or misshapen tooth. You can replace a missing tooth with an implant and a crown. A bridge replaces one or more adjacent teeth with pontics (artificial teeth), which attach to crowns that cover the natural teeth on each side of the gap. A bridge replacing a missing tooth keeps the remaining teeth from shifting out of place, in addition to enhancing your appearance. Implants can also support a tooth bridge. Crowns and bridges are permanent; only a dentist can remove them.

Which Type of Dentist Offers Fillings, Crowns and Bridges?

General dentists, like our dentists, can fill a cavity, place a tooth crown or install a bridge. Call our office to schedule an appointment and one of our knowledgeable dentists will restore any decayed, damaged or missing tooth that is bothering you.

What Will a Filling, Bridge or Dental Crown Cost?

The materials used for your restoration, the amount of tooth preparation needed and other factors influence the cost. Your dental bridge cost is also based on the type of bridge you'll receive. The dentist will go over your expected cost with you when you discuss your options. Our helpful staff will gladly help you determine your out-of-pocket expenses if you have dental insurance.

What Are the Different Tooth Filling Materials?

The tooth filling cost is determined primarily by the material you select. Silver amalgam and tooth-colored composite fillings are the most popular and most affordable options. You can also opt for durable gold alloy or aesthetically pleasing porcelain filling material. Your dentist can help you choose the filling material that is right for you.

What Are the Different Crown Materials Available?

Porcelain crowns are the most realistic option and are ideal if aesthetics is your primary concern. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are nearly as lifelike, but are more durable than an all-porcelain crown. If you need a crown to cover a molar, a gold alloy crown is the strongest option because it’s very durable and will last a long time.

How Many Types of Bridges for Teeth Are There?

The traditional bridge, supported by adjacent teeth, is the most common type of bridge. Our dentist can use a cantilever bridge to replace a missing front tooth when there is only one healthy tooth available to support the bridge. There are also implant-supported bridges. Call our office to request an appointment and our dentist will discuss your options with you.

What Is the Tooth Crown Procedure?

First, your dentist shapes the tooth to hold the crown by shaving off a small portion of the tooth so the crown will sit flush with the other teeth. Next, your dentist makes a mold of the tooth since crowns for teeth are custom made by a dental lab. When you leave the office, you have a temporary crown to wear to protect the tooth. On your subsequent visit, your dentist will take the temporary crown off and cement the permanent one to your tooth.

What Is the Tooth Bridge Procedure?

If you're getting a traditional or cantilever bridge, your dentist will prepare the tooth or teeth which will hold the bridge for crowns. He or she will also make an impression of your teeth for the dental lab so the bridge will be custom made and indistinguishable from your natural teeth. You will be fitted with a temporary bridge to wear until the lab finishes crafting your custom bridge. When you return, your dentist will remove the temporary appliance and place your permanent bridge.

Whether your teeth are decayed, misshapen, weak or missing, our dentist will find the right restoration to give you your smile back. Call our office to arrange an appointment.