Bridges & Crowns
Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which has to be taken out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.
How do Crowns Work?
A crown is used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and can be matched to your tooth color.
We may recommend a crown to you while:
- Replacing a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining.
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing.
- Restore a fractured tooth.
- Attach a bridge.
- Cover a dental implant.
- Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth.
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment.
- Aligning a malposition tooth in your mouth.
- Smile designing.
How do Bridges Work?
If you’re missing one or more teeth then bridge may be one of treatment choice for you. Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants on each side of the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth,or as we called it a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridgesat Aesthetic Dental Clinic assist you to decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain generally has the most natural appearance.
Why should you replace a missing tooth?
We do extraction only if there is no option left to save the natural tooth. after extraction a space is left in your dental arch. every missing tooth should be replaced except wisdom teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
How are Crowns and Bridges Made?
Before either a crown or a bridge can be made, the tooth (or teeth) is prepared to make it receptive for fitting crown or bridge properly. After preparing the tooth/teeth adjacent to empty space, we will take an impression to provide an exact mold for the crown or bridge. If porcelain is to be used, correct shade for the crown or bridge I determind to match the color of your existing teeth.
Impression is then sent to dental lab to make your crown or bridge, in the specific material A temporary crown or bridge will be put in place to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown or bridge is being made. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, the temporary crown or bridge is then removed, and the new crown or bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth. Thus for single missing tooth you will get two crowns on teeth adjacent to missing tooth and a false tooth or say pontic in between.
How long do Crowns and Bridges Last?
While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene. A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Also be regular for checkups and professional cleanings(scaling).
To prevent damage to your new crown or bridge, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects .