Crowns / Bridges
for tooth restoration/replacement
Edward R Mattie DDS PC
Michael E Mattie DDS
219 Maple Ave.
North Haven, CT
(203) 239-9427
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Why Choose us?
Honesty
Ethics
Long standing reputation
Did you know that we accept most insurances
When you arrive, arrive early for your first appointment and bring
your insurance ID card  a list of current

medications/diagnoses

any X-rays that you hav
e
Background
Crowns (or to laypeople "caps") are restorations that are placed over the top of the remaining tooth structure, not to be confused with white fillings which are held inside the remaining tooth by grooves and micromechanical retention. Crowns can be all metal or all ceramic or porcelain fused to a metal substructure base which is the most popular configuration. Crowns are fabricated for a variety of reasons which include :
Indications for crowns
Teeth which will no longer hold fillings

ROOT CANALED TEETH which can become DRY, BRITTLE and BREAK if not covered by a crown. Back to porcelain veneers 

Prosthetic correction of misaligned teeth ( may require more than one crown ) 

Prosthetic correction of open spaces between teeth ( if cosmetic bonding is inadequate ). This depends on the size of the open space to be closed.
Some of the indications listed involving alterations in color or shape or to close a small space can be performed by porcelain laminate veneers or by resin bonding veneers if conditions indicate them.
Porcelain to metal crowns may not be the optimal restoration if the person bites their fingernails or bites pencils, chicken bones etc... or grinds the teeth heavily. In this respect, cautions to prevent crown or underlying tooth breakage are similar to the cautions for the porcelain laminate veneers. Dr Mattie will assess your need for crowns should the need present for them with an exam and evaluation. In some cases, all metal crowns are used.