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04
Jan
Dental crowns and bridges are effective treatment options for damaged or missing teeth in Los Angeles
When you have missing, damaged, or decayed teeth, even the simplest activities such as chewing and talking can be painful and embarrassing. Fortunately, you don’t need to live in pain and can reclaim your quality of life with effective treatment options provided by Dr. Don Mungcal and his associates at Downtown Dental in Los Angeles, CA. Dental crowns and bridges are two common treatments used to restore your teeth for a natural-looking, beautiful smile.
Dental crowns and bridges explained
Dental crowns and bridges are dental restorations that have been used for many years to replace missing teeth or cover damaged teeth.
Dental crowns are used when the existing tooth is extremely damaged or can’t function normally anymore due to trauma or decay, or when a large filling is needed but there is insufficient enamel left on the tooth to support the filling. Crowns can also be placed on healthy teeth when a dental bridge or partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth. Dental crowns are like a cap for your tooth. They are made of a thin piece of material and permanently bonded over the top of your existing tooth. The material used for dental crowns varies depending on your oral health needs and preference; stainless steel, gold, porcelain, resin, and ceramic are common options. Ceramic and porcelain crowns look the most natural but are somewhat less sturdy than all-metal crowns or crowns where porcelain is fused to metal. Your dentist can discuss the pros and cons of the various materials with you to arrive at the best option for your unique needs.
Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. They are a very stable and sturdy tooth replacement option and can help bring back the natural function and appearance of your teeth, as well as prevent excessive wear and tear on your existing healthy teeth. Bridges consist of two parts: false teeth that are created to look like your existing teeth in shape, size, and color, and crowns on each side of the missing teeth that are used to keep the bridge in place.
Procedure for placing dental crowns and bridges
After you and the dentist have determined that a crown or bridge is the best treatment choice for you, the first step in placing them is to take impressions or images of your existing teeth so that the crown or bridge can be custom-designed for your mouth for the most natural-looking result. Before the impressions are taken, the dentist will slightly file down and shape the teeth that the crowns will be placed on so that there is room for the crown to sit on top of the tooth without being too large or bulky. This is done with a numbing agent so that you don’t feel pain or discomfort during the process. The dentist will likely then place a temporary crown over the teeth that have been shaped while the permanent crown or bridge is being created.
A few weeks later, the crown or bridge will be ready to place in your mouth. The dentist will remove any temporary crowns and use a strong bonding agent to place the crown or bridge on your teeth. Your crown or bridge should then last for the next five to 15 years, but with good dental care and hygiene, they can last up to 25 or 30 years.
The Downtown Dental difference
Dr. Mungcal has over 20 years of experience and has done thousands of dental restorations. He takes a personalized approach to all dental care that he provides to his patients. He will thoroughly examine your mouth and overall oral health and take any images, such as x-rays, that are needed to complete a full assessment. He will discuss the options that are available for your specific oral health needs and work with you to determine the best options based on your goals, budget, and preferences. The Downtown Dental office is equipped with the latest technology and the highly experienced dentist and staff will provide high-quality treatment in a warm, welcoming environment. If you have anxiety or trepidation about the dentist, Downtown Dental offers sedation dentistry to help relax you and calm your nerves.
Stop living in pain and regain your self-confidence! Schedule a consultation with Dr. Don Mungcal to learn about how you can restore your smile by calling 213-863-9464 today.
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![Dr. Don Mungcal]()
Dr. Don Mungcal
As the cornerstone and founder of Downtown Dental, Dr. Don Mungcal is a proactive and
exceptionally talented dentist who is determined to contribute to the health and wellbeing of his community by
attending to their dental care needs.
With over 28 years of experience and service, Dr. Mungcal makes it his responsibility to be the best version of himself by being his patients’ go-to point for any and all dental concerns. In addition to being meticulous in his work ethic, he is also an individual who understands development and change. He updates and informs himself constantly through various continuous educational programs that he undertakes. He also invests in the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide world-class dental services.
Dr. Mungcal graduated from UCLA and the University of the Pacific Dental School and is presently a member of several acclaimed medical associations, including the California Dental Society.
With over 28 years of experience and service, Dr. Mungcal makes it his responsibility to be the best version of himself by being his patients’ go-to point for any and all dental concerns. In addition to being meticulous in his work ethic, he is also an individual who understands development and change. He updates and informs himself constantly through various continuous educational programs that he undertakes. He also invests in the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide world-class dental services.
Dr. Mungcal graduated from UCLA and the University of the Pacific Dental School and is presently a member of several acclaimed medical associations, including the California Dental Society.