Crowns & Bridges

Having missing or damaged teeth can leave a lasting impact on your appearance and overall well-being. It can take a toll on your self-esteem, as well as impair your ability to chew and speak properly.

Dr. Houenou uses beautiful, natural-looking porcelain dental crowns and bridges to restore the look and function of your smile. These tooth restoration options are a great way to fix a tooth that’s been damaged by trauma, decay, or even tooth loss.

If you believe a crown could be beneficial for your smile, don’t hesitate to contact our office by calling (770) 962-4322. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and schedule you a consultation with Dr. Houenou.

When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Houenou will first assess the state of your tooth and make sure a crown is the best option for you. If he determines that a crown is right, he’ll shape your tooth so the crown can fit over it ⎼ local anesthetic is used for your comfort.

After the tooth has been shaped, Dr. Houenou will make an impression and provide you with a temporary crown while the permanent one is created. Once it’s ready, Dr. Houenou will securely place your crown when you come back to our office.

There are many reasons why you may need a crown, including:

Protecting a Weak Tooth From Breaking or Cracking

Restoring a Broken or Worn Down Tooth

Supporting a Dental Implant

Holding a Dental Bridge in Place

Covering Discolored or Distorted Teeth

Dental crowns are resistant to staining, but this also means they don’t respond to whitening materials. Since crowns are matched to your natural tooth color, we recommend having teeth whitening procedures done before receiving a crown.

If your crown has been damaged, call our office right away at (770) 962-4322 to schedule an appointment so Dr. Houenou can assess the damage. He may be able to repair or replace your restoration.

For the health of your tooth, we recommend against replacing your crown too often. But if you wish to change the material of your crown, Dr. Houenou can remove your old gold or metal crown and place a porcelain crown that matches your smile.

A dental bridge can replace one or more missing teeth, restoring the appearance and function of your smile. Bridges are typically held in place with dental crowns that are attached to the natural teeth at each end of the gap. Dr. Houenou crafts them to blend in seamlessly with your smile.

Bridges & Implants

When it comes to tooth replacement options, there are several available for you. Bridges and dental implants are both tooth loss solutions that can be used separately, or they can be paired together to create an implant-supported bridge.

The Dental Bridge Process

Placing your new dental bridge happens in a few easy steps:

1. During your consultation, we’ll examine your teeth and oral health to ensure a dental bridge is right for you. From here, the process is similar to receiving a crown.

2. Your teeth on either side of the gap will be prepared for crowns, which support the replacement teeth between them. 

3. Dr. Houenou will make an impression and place a temporary bridge until the permanent one is ready. 

4. Once your permanent bridge is ready, we’ll call you to come back to our office so Dr. Houenou can securely place it. Then, you’ll be free to smile and enjoy your restored teeth without fear.

For bridges that break or need adjustments, Dr. Houenou may be able to help. There are some cases where the bridge may be too far gone to be saved and will need to be replaced instead.

If you notice chipping or cracking on your bridge, or pain and sensitivity while chewing, call our Lawrenceville office at (770) 962-4322 for an appointment with Dr. Houenou. He can assess the damage and determine what steps to take next.

Most dental insurance plans cover part of the cost of dental bridges. For more information about the specifics of your plan, contact your insurance provider.

Yes, dental bridges are safe. In fact, they’ll help to protect your oral health by covering soft tissue that’s vulnerable without protection.

Your temporary bridge will be placed while you wait for your permanent bridge to be created. Once the permanent bridge is ready, Dr. Houenou will remove your temporary bridge and securely place the permanent one.

The length of time your dental bridge lasts depends on how well you take care of it. A well-maintained bridge can last up to 15 years.

If you have damaged or missing teeth, you don’t need to be ashamed of your smile. Dr. Houenou can create a beautiful restoration so you don’t have to worry about the appearance or function of your teeth.

To learn more, call our Lawrenceville office at (770) 962-4322 or fill out our online contact form, located conveniently on this page ⎼ we’ll get back to you right away.