Crowns and Bridges

Wear and tear, replacement fillings and tooth decay can leave a tooth structurally weak and vulnerable to damage. Fortunately, a dental crown can be used to save and protect a brittle, damaged or broken tooth. Ballina Coast Dental offers custom-made dental crowns, including same-day CEREC crowns, at our Ballina dental clinic.

Dental Crowns Protect and Strengthen Your Teeth

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover an entire tooth down to the gumline. A dental crown can restore a tooth’s natural shape, size and strength and protect a tooth from further damage or decay. 

The crown stabilises one’s bite and absorbs chewing forces to protect the underlying tooth. Crowns can also protect teeth with large, previous fillings or root canal treatment.

At Ballina Coast Dental, we offer crowns made from lithium disilicate (EMAX), zirconia, porcelain and gold. Porcelain (ceramic) crowns–like EMAX and CEREC same-day crowns–are tooth-coloured, providing an ideal cosmetic result while offering tooth protection and restored function advantages. Zirconia crowns are translucent, durable and bond well to the teeth; they are a popular option for front teeth. Gold alloys offer maximum durability and are ideal for unseen back teeth, like molars.

The Dental Crown Process 

At Ballina Coast Dental, we strive to perform treatments as gently as possible, including dental crowns. After administering a local anaesthetic to the area, we carefully prepare the tooth and take a digital impression to fabricate your custom crown. We place a temporary crown if we need to wait for a traditional crown to be completed by our Australia-based lab partners. When the final crown arrives, we will bond it to the tooth and adjust it for a precise and comfortable fit.

If the patient opts for a same-day CEREC crown, we can design and fabricate the custom crown using our on-site milling machine. With a same-day CEREC crown, you can have a newly restored tooth in a single dental visit! 

Caring for Your Dental Crowns

Dental crowns don’t require special care. We recommend that you brush twice daily and floss once daily, just as you would your natural teeth. Routine dental visits allow us to ensure your crown remains functional, strong and to your standard of comfort. 

Dental Bridges Replace Missing Teeth 

Missing one or more teeth can make eating and socialising a challenge. However, a dental bridge in Ballina can restore your smile’s function, appearance and self-esteem. Dental bridges are a long-term tooth loss solution, whether you have one or a few missing teeth. 

The Dental Bridge Process 

Dental bridges fill in the space left behind by missing teeth. Using a dental crown on each side of the gap, 

A bridge uses crowns on either side of the gap––on abutment teeth––and a prosthetic tooth between the crowns. A dental bridge can also prevent neighbouring teeth from tilting or shifting, creating an imbalance bite. 

The dental bridge process is similar to a dental crown. The primary difference is that the dental bridge requires tooth preparation on either side of the space. Once we bond the crowns and secure the dental bridge, the appliance will function and look like individual natural teeth. 

Caring for Your Dental Bridge

A dental bridge requires a little more attention regarding oral hygiene and care. Your dentist can show you how to best care for your bridge, including brushing and ‘flossing’ using interdental brushes. We also recommend seeing your dentist for regular dental exams and cleans to ensure your smile stays healthy.

Dental Crowns and Bridges in Ballina, NSW

Do you have broken or missing teeth? We invite you to contact Ballina Coast Dental to book an appointment with one of our dentists. Our skilled and experienced team can discuss your treatment options and get your smile back on track.