Crowns & Bridges

Our teeth are designed to stand up to a lot of wear and tear, but they aren't indestructible. At some point, many adults find that their teeth are starting to wear or break down, and you may even lose a tooth to an accident or advanced decay.

At the office of Michael Smith, DMD, we offer dental crowns for patients in Belleville who come to us in need of solutions to restore their smile. To help patients like you get back your smile, Drs. Smith, Fazili, and Ridenhour customize high-quality dental crowns and bridges that are durable and look so natural that no one will guess you've had any work done. 

What Is a Dental Crown?

If you get a cavity or break a tooth, we can fix it with a tooth-colored filling. But if the damage to the tooth is more extensive, a filling may not be enough to protect it.

Dental crowns, also referred to as "caps," are customized to completely cover and surround a tooth like a little protective helmet. There are several types of crowns we commonly recommend, including all-porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and gold.

Each material has its benefits, and our experienced dentists will help you choose the one that works best for you.

Why Did We Recommend a Dental Crown?

Since a crown covers and encloses a tooth to create a strong, new outer surface, Dr. Smith, Dr. Fazili, and Dr. Ridenhour would recommend them if: 

• A cavity is too large to be repaired with a filling.
• A tooth is cracked, broken, or worn down.
• A tooth has already been filled multiple times. 
• A tooth has been weakened by root canal treatment.
• A tooth is discolored or severely stained.

Getting a dental crown can make a big difference to your comfort and confidence, and the process usually takes only two visits to our Belleville dental office. 

At your first appointment, we will reshape your tooth so that your crown fits properly. We take impressions of the tooth that we use to create a temporary crown. Our dentists will help you choose the correct shade of white for your tooth restoration, and we send your information to a custom dental laboratory. 

Based on our specifications, skilled lab technicians craft a customized dental crown that is designed to match your surrounding teeth for a natural appearance. 

We Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Bridges

Losing a tooth can be an upsetting experience in itself, and then you are faced with the challenge of trying to chew comfortably and smile with confidence. At the office of Michael Smith, DMD, we understand how tooth loss impacts our patients' lives, so we offer solutions to help you.

There are several options available in modern dentistry for tooth replacement, including dental implants. Dental bridges, however, are still an ideal solution for patients like you who need to replace a missing tooth.

We often use bridges to replace one missing tooth, but we can also design them to replace two to three missing teeth. Your bridge will be designed as a single unit that places an artificial tooth in the gap and secures it in place with crowns attached to the teeth on either side.

Getting a dental bridge involves the same steps as those for getting a crown and can usually be completed in two to three visits.

Do You Need a Solution for Broken or Missing Teeth?

Dr. Michael Smith, Dr. Snowber Fazili, and Dr. Nicholas Ridenhour are proud to offer beautiful, durable crowns and bridges for patients in Belleville and surrounding areas who have broken or missing teeth.

Please call us to schedule an appointment so we can help you get back your beautiful, healthy smile.