Dental Crowns and Onlays Have a crown that's beginning to show signs of wear and tear? Or, have a fractured filling that can no longer handle the stress and impact of chewing? You may be a candidate for a crown - a porcelain cap placed over an existing tooth and then cemented into place - or an onlay, similar to a crown but conserves more of the tooth structure. Today's crowns and onlays are made of all porcelain, eliminating the gray line at the gum that often accompanied crowns in the past. With excellent oral hygiene, crowns and onlays generally last 10 - 15 years. To install a crown or onlay, Dr. St. Germain first prepares the tooth and takes an impression of it. It takes about a week for the lab to produce your customized crown or onlay - during this time you'll wear a temporary crown developed by Dr. St. Germain. Once your new crown or onlay is ready, he'll replace your temporary piece - giving you a beautifully restored tooth. For further information click here Dental Bridges Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces a missing tooth or teeth by affixing a false tooth/teeth between two crowns with metal. The restoration can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support. Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, only a dentist can remove a fixed bridge. Dr. St. Germain can help you determine whether a crown, onlay, or bridge is the right procedure for you. To schedule your consultation, call our office at 978-346-4610. For further information click here