"LANAP" Laser & Restorative
Dentist - Cerritos
10929 South Street
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 860-6587

 

Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.

The LANAP Procedure – Dr. Robert H. Gregg II, D.D.S.

 

 

 

 



Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns are synthetic caps which are placed over a tooth in order to restore function and appearance after a procedure such as a root canal. They are also used to restore a tooth which has become so decayed that much of it must be removed. Dentists additionally use them to attach bridges, cover implants, to prevent a damaged tooth from becoming worse and to protect loose fillings. They can also be used for cosmetic purposes.

The first step in the application of a crown is usually to reduce the size of the tooth. From there, the dentist will create an impression of the existing tooth which is then sent to a specialty lab. The lab manufactures a custom-designed crown. Once it is complete, the crown is cemented into place.

With proper care, patients can expect a crown to last around eight years. Flossing is essential to avoiding excess plaque build-up around the restoration. Other behaviors, such as jaw clenching and teeth grinding can shorten the life of a crown. Patients with crowns should also avoid chewing ice and foods such as hard candy, as those things risk damage to the crown.

A dental bridge is a dental appliance that is used to replace a section of missing teeth. Like crowns, bridges are also custom made, which makes them barely noticeable. Bridges are often referred to as "fixed dentures" because they are semi-permanent appliances that are affixed to existing teeth and implants.

There are several types of fixed bridges in addition to conventional bridges. A cantilever bridge is one that attaches to the adjacent teeth only on one end. They are mostly applied to areas where there is little stress, such as the front teeth area. A resin bonded bridge is one which relies on a resin composite for its retention.