Dental Crowns & Bridges in Tijuana: Restoring Strength, Function, and a Complete Smile

Dental Crowns: Protecting and Strengthening Damaged Teeth

At Unison Dental Tijuana, we understand the critical role that healthy, strong teeth play in your overall well-being, from confident chewing and clear speech to a radiant smile. When teeth are significantly damaged by decay, fracture, or when teeth are missing, dental crowns and bridges offer powerful and highly effective restorative solutions. These custom-made dental prosthetics are designed to restore the integrity, function, and aesthetics of your smile, ensuring long-lasting results that look and feel natural. For patients from San Diego and surrounding areas seeking high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing dental crowns and bridges at an accessible price point, Unison Dental Tijuana combines advanced dental techniques with personalized care to rebuild your smile with precision and artistry.

When is a Dental Crown Recommended?

Dental crowns are an essential solution for a variety of dental problems:

• Protecting a Weak Tooth: A crown can protect a tooth weakened by extensive decay from fracturing or hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
• Restoring a Broken or Severely Worn Tooth: For teeth that are severely worn down or have sustained significant fractures, a crown can restore their original shape and function.
• Covering and Supporting a Large Filling: When a tooth has a very large filling and there isn’t much natural tooth structure remaining, a crown provides necessary support and protection.
• After Root Canal Treatment: Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy often become brittle. A crown is typically placed to protect the treated tooth from breaking and restore its strength.
• Covering Severely Discolored or Misshapen Teeth: For aesthetic purposes, a crown can effectively cover teeth with severe discoloration, irregular shapes, or minor misalignments, creating a more uniform and appealing smile.
• Topping a Dental Implant: A crown is the final restoration placed on top of a dental implant to replace a single missing tooth, mimicking the appearance and function of a natural tooth.

Types of Dental Crowns:

Modern dental crowns are crafted from various high-quality materials, each offering different benefits in terms of aesthetics, durability, and cost. Your dentist will discuss the best option for your specific needs:

• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: These crowns have a metal base for strength, with a porcelain layer fused over it for a tooth-colored appearance. They are durable but can sometimes show a dark line at the gum line.
• All-Ceramic/All-Porcelain Crowns: These crowns provide the most natural look, as they completely mimic the translucency of natural tooth enamel. They are an excellent choice for front teeth due to their superior aesthetics, and modern ceramics are very strong.
• Zirconia Crowns: Highly durable and biocompatible, zirconia crowns are known for their exceptional strength and natural appearance. They are a popular choice for both front and back teeth.
• Metal Crowns (Gold Alloys, Base Metal Alloys): These are extremely strong and durable, making them ideal for back molars where biting forces are highest and aesthetics are less of a concern. They are highly resistant to wear.

Dental Bridges: Replacing Missing Teeth for a Complete Smile

A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth. It “bridges” the gap created by missing teeth, typically by anchoring to the natural teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap. Bridges are crucial for maintaining the integrity of your bite, preventing remaining teeth from shifting, and restoring your ability to chew and speak properly.

Why is a Dental Bridge Important?

Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge offers several significant benefits:

• Restores Your Smile: Fills the gap created by missing teeth, enhancing your aesthetic appearance.
• Restores Chewing and Speaking Ability: Allows you to eat a wider variety of foods and speak clearly without difficulty.
• Maintains Facial Shape: Helps prevent the sunken facial appearance that can result from missing teeth and bone loss.
• Prevents Remaining Teeth from Shifting: Keeps your existing natural teeth in their proper positions, preventing them from drifting into the empty space.
• Distributes Bite Forces: Helps evenly distribute the forces in your bite, preventing excessive stress on remaining teeth.

Types of Dental Bridges: 

• Traditional Bridges: The most common type, consisting of one or more pontics (artificial teeth) held in place by dental crowns cemented onto the abutment teeth (natural teeth adjacent to the gap).
• Cantilever Bridges: Used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth. While less common, they can be an option in specific situations.
• Maryland Bonded Bridges (Resin-Bonded Bridges): Consist of a pontic with metal or porcelain “wings” on each side that are bonded to the inside surface of the adjacent natural teeth. These are more conservative as they require minimal preparation of the abutment teeth.
• Implant-Supported Bridges: For a more stable and long-lasting solution, bridges can be supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth. This is ideal when multiple teeth are missing in a row and provides excellent stability while preserving jawbone health.

The Procedure for Dental Crowns & Bridges: A Detailed Process

The creation and placement of dental crowns and bridges typically involve two or more visits to Unison Dental Tijuana, ensuring meticulous customization and a perfect fit. Our process is designed for precision, comfort, and outstanding results.

Step-by-Step for Crowns and Bridges:

1. Initial Consultation and Preparation:
• Diagnosis and Planning: The dentist performs a comprehensive examination, including X-rays, to assess the tooth/teeth requiring treatment. We discuss the best options (crown, bridge, material type) and outline your personalized treatment plan.
• Tooth Preparation: For a crown, the tooth receiving the crown is reshaped to allow the crown to fit over it. For a bridge, the two adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) are prepared in a similar manner to receive crowns. If any decay is present, it will be removed.
• Impressions: Highly accurate impressions (molds) of the prepared teeth are taken. These impressions are then sent to a state-of-the-art dental laboratory, where your custom crown or bridge will be fabricated.
• Temporary Restoration: While your permanent crown or bridge is being made (which can take a couple of weeks), a temporary crown or bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain your aesthetics.
2. Permanent Placement:
• Try-In and Adjustment: During your second visit, the temporary restoration is removed, and your custom-made permanent crown or bridge is carefully placed. The dentist meticulously checks the fit, bite, and color match, making any necessary adjustments to ensure perfection and comfort.
• Final Cementation: Once you and the dentist are completely satisfied with the fit and appearance, the crown or bridge is permanently cemented onto the prepared teeth or implants.

Caring for Your Crowns & Bridges: Ensuring Long-Lasting Results

With proper care, dental crowns and bridges can last for many years, often between 5 to 15 years, or even longer. Their longevity depends on good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.

Essential Maintenance Tips:

• Excellent Oral Hygiene: Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. Floss daily, paying special attention to the areas around the crown or under the bridge to remove plaque and food particles. Interdental cleaners or special floss threaders can be particularly helpful for cleaning under bridges.
• Regular Dental Check-ups: Continue with your routine dental examinations and professional cleanings (typically every six months). Your dentist will monitor the health of your crowns, bridges, and surrounding natural teeth and gums.
• Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods: While crowns and bridges are strong, avoid chewing on extremely hard foods (like ice, hard candy, unpopped popcorn kernels) or sticky foods (like caramels), as these can potentially damage the restoration.
• Address Bruxism: If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), discuss this with your dentist. A custom night guard can protect your crowns and bridges from excessive wear.
• Avoid Using Teeth as Tools: Do not use your teeth to open packages, bite nails, or perform tasks that could stress or damage your dental work.

Why Choose Unison Dental Tijuana for Crowns & Bridges?

Choosing Unison Dental Tijuana for your dental crowns and bridges means choosing excellence, affordability, and personalized care:

• Experienced Restorative Dentists: Our team boasts extensive experience and expertise in crafting and placing high-quality crowns and bridges.
• Precision and Aesthetics: We utilize advanced techniques and materials to ensure your crowns and bridges not only function perfectly but also blend seamlessly with your natural smile.
• State-of-the-Art Technology: Our clinic is equipped with modern dental technology, allowing for precise diagnostics and efficient treatment.
• Exceptional Value: Patients benefit from world-class dental solutions at a more accessible price point than often found in the United States, making superior care attainable.
• Patient-Centered Approach: Your comfort, questions, and satisfaction are at the forefront of our care philosophy, from consultation to final placement.
• Durable and Long-Lasting Solutions: We are committed to providing restorations that offer both immediate aesthetic improvement and long-term durability.