Dental Crowns and Bridges
What Are Dental Crowns And Bridges
Crowns and bridges are fixed into your mouth. They are cemented onto your existing teeth. Unlike crowns and bridges, dentures are removable devices which you can take out and clean daily.
How Do Crowns Work?
For a damaged tooth, a crown or “cap” is used to entirely cover the tooth. Crowns can also be used to improve the appearance or alignment of a healthy teeth. Crowns are also placed as the tooth like structure on top of implants which provide the root structure. Various materials may be used to fabricate a crown these include porcelain or ceramic crowns which can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, gold and metal alloy crowns, or an often used combination of porcelain bonded to metal shell which provides both the strength of metal and the color match of porcelain.
Crowns may be recommended by your dentist to:
· For a tooth with a large filling where there is not enough tooth remaining.
· Strengthen a weak tooth that may crack
· Restore a cracked tooth
· Attach a bridge
· Provide tooth structure for a dental implant
· Cover a misshapen or discolored tooth
· Cover for a tooth that has had root canal treatment
How Do Bridges Work?
Bridges may be used to replace one or more missing. When you have missing teeth, the gaps eventually lead to the remaining teeth moving and rotating into the empty space which can lead to a bad bite. Having missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and painful temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
To replace missing teeth, bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. The adjoining teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called pontic, is attached to the crowns that are placed on the adjoining teeth. Like crowns, bridges can be made of various materials. Bridges made of porcelain or ceramic can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Your dentist will consider factors like location of the missing tooth (or teeth), cosmetic concerns and cost in helping you choose your best option.
How Are Crowns and Bridges Made?
To prepare a tooth for a crown or bridge, the tooth (or teeth) must first be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit over it. The dentist then takes an impression to provide a mold for the fabrication of the crown or bridge. For porcelain crowns, your dentist will determine the correct shade to match the crown or bridge to existing teeth. A temporary crown or bridge is placed to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown or bridge is made. A dental lab then uses the impression to make the crown or bridge. Once ready, the temporary is removed and the new crown or bridge is cemented over the prepared tooth or teeth.
How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last
Good oral hygiene is the best measure you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss daily and see your dentist regularly for check ups and cleanings. While with good oral hygiene your crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they may sometimes come loose or fall out. If the teeth or bone holding a bridge in place is damaged by dental disease, a bridge can get lose. Moreover, to prevent damage to your crown or bridge, avoid chewing hard foods or ice.