Dental Fillings, Crowns & Bridges in Greater Houston, TX

What Is a Cavity Filling?

A cavity is a small hole in your tooth from decay eating away at the tooth’s enamel. If your dentist catches the cavity early, the decay can be removed and a tooth filling material can be used to fill in the hole. Treating small cavities is essential as the decay will spread and cause painful dental problems. Cavities can cause tooth sensitivity and spontaneous pain. You may also see a black spot on your tooth. If you believe you have a cavity, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

What Are Crowns and Bridges for Teeth?

Our dentist routinely places crowns and bridges to restore or replace a patient’s teeth. Crowns are dental caps that cover a broken, damaged or compromised tooth. Crowns also go over teeth that support a bridge. A crown will closely resemble your natural teeth, so no one will notice it. Bridges replace missing teeth. If you’ve lost a tooth or several adjacent teeth, a bridge will hide the gap. Like a crown, a bridge blends in with your other teeth and will prevent your teeth from shifting into the space left by a lost tooth.

Do General Dentists Fill Teeth and Place Crowns and Dental Bridges?

Our general dentists have experience with all three restorations. We like to see patients leave smiling after coming in with a painful cavity, broken tooth or missing tooth. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

What Do Dental Fillings, Crowns and Bridges Cost?

These restorations are custom made to meet your exact needs. Your tooth filling cost depends on the filling material you choose and the extent of the decay. We base your dental crown cost on the type of crown you select and how difficult it is to place. We estimate your dental bridge cost on how many teeth you’re replacing, the type of bridge and the bridge material. During your appointment, your dentist will discuss your anticipated costs. Please let us know if you have dental insurance; it may cover a portion of the cost.

What Are Dental Fillings Made From?

Our dentist will help you decide based on your budget, the amount of decay and your aesthetic preferences. One option is amalgam, or metal, fillings which are strong and affordable. Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored so they won’t stand out like metal fillings. Porcelain fillings are the most attractive and they won’t stain like composite fillings. Gold, while less common, is also an option. A gold alloy filling is very strong and will last longer than any other filling material.

What Are My Tooth Crown Options?

If you need a front tooth crown, porcelain is the most beautiful material since it is translucent and very closely resembles tooth enamel. Porcelain is too brittle to use for back teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns also look very natural and are strong enough to use anywhere in your mouth. Some patients opt for gold alloy crowns for molars because of their strength and longevity. Please call our office to schedule an appointment. Our dentist will go over your options and help you choose the right crown for your unique needs.

What Are My Tooth Bridge Options?

Your dentist will discuss your options for a tooth bridge with you. Typically, if you have a missing tooth surrounded by two healthy teeth, your dentist will suggest a traditional bridge. If there is only one healthy tooth available to anchor the bridge, your dentist may suggest a cantilever bridge, which is for front teeth only. There are also implant-supported bridges, which don’t need abutment teeth to anchor the bridge. If you call us for an appointment, our dentist will perform an exam and let you know your options for replacing a lost tooth.

How Will My Dentist Install a Crown?

Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic and then reduce the size of your tooth to create room for the crown. He or she will take an impression for the dental lab to use to create a custom crown for you. To protect the tooth, your dentist will give you a temporary crown to wear until the lab finishes making your custom crown. When you return to our office, your dentist will replace the temporary crown with your permanent one.

How Will My Dentist Install a Bridge?

To install a tooth bridge, your dentist will prepare the abutment teeth for crowns by filing them down. Afterward, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to make a model for the dental lab that is fabricating your custom bridge. To protect the abutment teeth, you will get a temporary bridge to wear. When your bridge is ready, your dentist will take the temporary bridge off and then fit your custom bridge, making sure your bite is fine before cementing it into place.