Caps Crowns Bridges And Veneers

One of the first steps to getting your oral health back on track is determining what treatment you may need. Learn about the differences between dental crowns, bridges, implants and veneers, and how each can help you get your beautiful smile back.

What is a dental crown?

Purpose: Cover & restore a damaged tooth without extraction

A dental crown, also known as a “cap” is used to restore teeth without actually removing or implanting any teeth. The crown is placed over an existing damaged tooth and is cemented in place.

What is a dental bridge?

Purpose: Replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to existing teeth

While a crown is used to cover an existing tooth, a dental bridge is used to fill in the missing space caused by one or more lost teeth. A bridge is made up of one or more false teeth with one crown on either end of the bridge. The crowns are placed over existing teeth on either side of the gap in your smile, functioning as anchors for the bridge.

What is a dental veneer?

Purpose: Add a luminous white coating to your teeth

A dental veneer is a thin coating of white, gleaming porcelain which is used to cover the surface of a tooth. Unlike crowns, bridges and implants, veneers are primarily aesthetic, and are less commonly used for dental health problems.

What is the difference between a crown, bridge, implant and veneer?

Here is an overview of the differences between each dental solution:

Dental Crowns

• Restore a damaged tooth by covering it with a porcelain cap
• For cosmetic and restorative purposes

Dental Bridge

• Used to replace one or more missing teeth
• Can be fitted with dental crowns or implants
• For cosmetic and restorative purposes

Dental Implant

• A fully functional tooth replacement that is embedded into the jaw
• Can be installed with a bridge to replace multiple missing teeth
• For cosmetic and restorative purposes

Dental Veneer

• A coating used to reshape or brighten teeth that are misshapen or discolored
• Primarily used for cosmetic purposes, but can be restorative

Dr. Lichtenstein is trained as both a dentist and an anesthesiologist.

Dr. Lee Lichtenstein is one of the extremely few dual-trained dentist anesthesiologists in the State of NJ who is Board Certified. Being a Board Certified Anesthesiologist* sets him apart from other dentists and even other sedation dentists who do not have his level of training, certification and over 20 years of experience.

Dr. Lee Lichtenstein successfully manages and treats individuals with a wide range of difficult issues who could not be cared for easily or comfortably in the traditional and conventional dental office setting.

What separates Dr. Lichtenstein from almost every other dentist is that he is a hospital residency trained anesthesiologist. Dr. Lichtenstein completed his anesthesia residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York (one of the cornerstones of Northwell Health in NY) and practiced part-time in the OR at LIJMC for 13 years. Anesthesiology was recognized as a specialty by the American Dental Association.