Fillings, crowns, & bridges in Northern New Jersey

What Are Dental Fillings?

A cavity is the hole left where tooth decay ate away at the enamel on the outside of your tooth. Our dentist will remove the decay and fill the hole with a dental filling material. This makes your tooth whole and it eliminates the cavity which could trap food particles and bacteria in it, causing further damage.

What Are Crowns and Bridges for Teeth?

Crowns and bridges are fixed restorations; your dentist will cement them in place and you cannot remove them yourself. Crowns are an artificial tooth which completely covers a compromised tooth or a tooth which had a root canal. Crowns for teeth give a weak tooth strength and can also restore a fractured or broken tooth. A tooth bridge bridges the gap left by a missing tooth with a pontic, an artificial tooth. The bridge also has two crowns to go over the abutment teeth on either side of the gap.

Who Should I See for a Filling, Crown or Bridge?

General dentists, like our dentists, have experience with fillings, crowns and bridges. If you need a restoration, please call our office for an appointment.

What Is the Typical Filling, Crown and Dental Bridge Cost?

Fillings, crowns and bridges are custom restorations and the cost varies considerably. Your tooth filling cost primarily depends on the filling substance you select. Amalgam (metal) fillings are the least expensive, while porcelain and gold fillings are the most expensive. Your dental crown cost depends on the material you select, as does the cost for a bridge. The placement of the restoration and whether you have dental insurance coverage also help determine your final cost. During your appointment, your dentist will give you an estimate of our fee.

What Are the Main Types of Tooth Filling Materials?

There are amalgam fillings, made from mercury, copper, zinc, silver and tin. You can also choose a composite tooth filling or one made from porcelain or gold. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. If you call our office for an appointment, our dentist can help you choose the best filling material for your unique needs.

What Are the Main Types of Crowns?

Porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal are popular since porcelain closely resembles tooth enamel. You can also choose from strong and durable metal crowns, such as a gold alloy crown. The only drawback to metal crowns is their color, so they are ideal for out-of-sight molars as they can withstand strong chewing forces. If you need a crown, our dentist can help you choose the best one for you considering your aesthetic preferences, the tooth’s location and your budget.

What Are the Main Types of Fixed Bridges?

The three main types of fixed bridges include traditional bridges, cantilever bridges and implant-supported bridges. The traditional bridge is the most popular; dentists use it when you have two healthy teeth, even if they have fillings, on either side of the space left by a missing tooth. A traditional bridge consists of an artificial tooth with a crown on each side to go over the healthy teeth. Our dentist may recommend a cantilever bridge, which is only suitable to replace missing front teeth, if there is only one healthy tooth next to the gap. Implant-supported bridges replace two or more missing teeth without using adjacent teeth for support. If you’re considering a tooth bridge to replace a missing tooth, please call our office to schedule an appointment.

How Do Dentists Install Dental Caps?

Having a tooth crown installed requires two visits. During your first visit, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic and prepare the tooth. He or she must remove a small portion of the enamel so the crown will fit over the teeth. Next, your dentist makes a mold of the area so the dental lab can create a crown which blends in with your other teeth. You’ll go home with a temporary crown to protect the tooth. When your permanent crown is ready, you’ll return to have your dentist take off the temporary tooth crown and cement your permanent one in place.

How Do Dentists Install Dental Bridges?

Having a bridge installed requires two visits to our office. During the first visit, your dentist will prepare the abutment teeth. This involves removing a small portion of the tooth enamel so the crowns fits over them. Once your dentist prepares your teeth, he or she will take an impression of your teeth. The dental lab uses the impression to create a custom bridge which will blend in with your other teeth.

Your dentist will install a temporary bridge to protect the abutment teeth. During your next visit, your dentist will remove the temporary bridge and cement the permanent one in its place. Call us today at or book an appointment online.