Crowns and Bridges in Bondi Junction

Bondi Junction dentist Dr Brendan Quill is passionate about helping people retain the beauty of their smiles, even when dental work is necessary. Crowns and bridges are two of the most common restorative dental procedures. We use natural-looking, tooth-coloured materials to repair your smile without leaving a dark mark on your smile.

At Dentist in the Park, our experience is that our patients are more likely to have the dental care they need to stay healthy if they know the procedure won’t hurt. We use The Wand® anaesthetic delivery system to ensure that our patients have a pleasant experience free of discomfort. We also offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation options for patients who have anxiety about dentistry.

Are you ready to improve your smile with dental crowns and bridges at our Bondi Junction, NSW, dental clinic? Here is a list of questions to help you decide.

What Is the Purpose of Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns protect teeth in the wake of a fracture, broken cusp or deep decay. We can also use dental crowns to protect your bite and to repair teeth. You might need a dental crown in the following situations:

• Worn, sensitive teeth
• Rebuild worn teeth
• Cover a large cavity
• Replace large, silver fillings
• Improve the appearance of dark or misshapen teeth

One of the most common needs for a dental crown is when a large filling in the back molar begins to fracture. This happens over time, and amalgam fillings—the grey-coloured metal fillings that used to be standard—are particularly susceptible. Because the filling is so large, there is usually very little left of the natural tooth structure left. Replacing the filling is not possible, and a dental crown is the best choice for repairing the tooth and preventing further damage.

Dental crowns are also used cosmetically to “cap” a tooth that might have an odd shape or is discoloured and resistant to teeth whitening. With a dental crown, you’ll have a natural-looking tooth restoration that is made to blend in seamlessly with your teeth. No one except you and your dentist will know you have a crown.

Other reasons for dental crowns include repairing a tooth that is cracked or worn, such as what can occur with teeth grinding (bruxism). Crowns will alleviate any sensitivity in worn teeth. (You’ll want to address the teeth grinding once you cap your teeth to avoid the same problem from occurring again.)

Dental crowns are also placed on the teeth adjacent to a space in your mouth to hold a dental bridge in place.

Why Do I Need a Crown Instead of a Filling?

Dental fillings are used to seal a tooth after your dentist has removed tooth decay. But fillings don’t strengthen a tooth; in fact, a large filling can weaken the tooth structure—especially when enough of it has been removed to make room for the filling. When that happens, placing a dental crown instead of a filling gives patients a strong option that will be more reliable in the long-term. In addition, often removing the decay has removed too much of the tooth structure, making it unlikely it could support a filling. A dental crown is the best option.

Why Do I Need a Dental Crown After a Root Canal?

A root canal removes the live tissue in the root of the tooth when it is infected. Removing the nerve and blood supply to the tooth eliminates its source of nutrition. This process tends to make the remaining tooth structure brittle and increases its risk of fracture, so Dr Quill usually recommends a dental crown. A dental crown will help preserve your tooth and give you back full function. It can add years—and possibly decades—to the life of your tooth.

What Is the Dental Crown Process?

Dr Quill will begin by removing all signs of decay or damage, leaving behind healthy tooth structure to support the crown. He will take an impression of your tooth and shade-match it to the colour of the surrounding teeth.

After placing a temporary crown on your tooth to protect it, he will send your crown information to our trusted dental lab where they will design your permanent crown.

Once the crown is ready, you will return to our Bondi Junction, NSW dental clinic, and Dr Quill will permanently attach the crown to the tooth and make any final adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit. Dental crowns are strong and durable, and you can expect yours to last a good number of years if you take care of it.

Sometimes a tooth extraction is the only way to prevent pain or dental conditions that put your other teeth at risk. After extraction, we offer a number of tooth replacement options to complete your smile.

Implants. These permanent tooth replacements are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. Because the integrate with the jawbone, they provide stable support for a crown or denture placed on top of the implant.

Bridges. Dental bridges literally bridge the gap in your smile by using two healthy teeth to anchor an artificial tooth in place. Like our dental crowns, Dr Quill will match your bridge to the surrounding teeth, so your smile appears seamless.

Dentures. Unlike the fake-looking teeth denture-wearers of the past had, today’s modern dentures are more attractive and more comfortable than ever. Your dentures will be customised to look very much like your natural teeth. Although there is a small period of breaking them in, once you get used to dentures, you should be able to chew, speak and laugh comfortably with them.

You can speak with Dr Quill to determine the best tooth replacement for your situation. Many of our patients opt for dental bridges.

He will place a temporary bridge on your teeth to hold the available space until your permanent bridge arrives in our Bondi Junction, NSW dental clinic. The final step is to permanently bond your bridge and make small adjustments for a comfortable bite.

How Do I Take Care of My Crown or Bridge?

Dental crowns require normal brushing and flossing to keep them healthy. Your regular dental appointments are also an important part of this care. Your dental crown won’t develop tooth decay on its surface, but it’s still possible for cavities to occur below the crown along the gumline.

Your dental bridge will require some extra attention with special dental floss or brushes to remove the food particles from beneath the bridge and to prevent gum disease or decay.

How Can I Learn More About Crowns and Bridges in the Bondi Junction Area?

We are here to help you achieve your goals for your smile. Whether you have a damaged or missing tooth, our team invites you to contact our Bondi Junction, NSW dental clinic to arrange an appointment where we will go over all of your options.