Dental Crowns and Bridges
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth -- to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance.
The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Dental bridges can be supported by either natural teeth or implants. When supported by natural teeth, it is made up of two crowns, one over the teeth on either side of the gap, and a false tooth (or several false teeth) in between. The two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth and the false tooth is called a pontic. It can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
Why is a Dental Crown Needed?
A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:
- To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
- To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
- To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of tooth left
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth
- To cover a dental implant
What types of Crowns are available?
Permanent crowns can be made from all metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, or all ceramic.
- Metals used in crowns include gold alloy, other alloys (for example, palladium), or a base-metal alloy (for example, nickel or chromium). Compared with other crown types, less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal crowns, and tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum. Metal crowns withstand biting and chewing forces well and probably last the longest in terms of wear down. Also, metal crowns rarely chip or break. The metallic color is the main drawback. Metal crowns are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic crowns). However, more wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this crown type compared with metal or resin crowns. The crown's porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like normal teeth. However, sometimes the metal underlying the crown's porcelain can show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line and even more so if your gums recede. These crowns can be a good choice for front or back teeth.
- All-resin dental crowns are less expensive than other crown types. However, they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
- All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental crowns provide the best natural color match than any other crown type and may be more suitable for people with metal allergies. However, they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and they wear down opposing teeth a little more than metal or resin crowns. All-ceramic crowns are a good choice for front teeth.
- Temporary versus permanent. Temporary crowns can be made in your dentist's office whereas permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steel and can be used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is constructed by a lab.
Types of Bridges
- Traditional Bridges consist of a false tooth in between two real teeth. They are usually made of metal covered in porcelain, but can also be made of gold.
- Cantilever bridges are utilized when there is only one tooth next to the missing tooth.
- Maryland Bridges are constructed of plastic teeth with metal supports like metal wings on either side, which stabilize it. The wings are bonded to adjacent teeth.
How is the Bridge placed?
Once our dentist's determines that you would benefit from having a bridge, your first appointment is scheduled. In this first appointment, we prepare the opposing teeth by re-contouring them so that crowns will fit over them. Impressions are then taken of the area, which are sent to the dental lab. We will secure a temporary bridge to protect the teeth, until your permanent bridge is ready to be placed.
In your second appointment, we will place your permanent bridge, checking the fit and adjusting it accordingly. On some occasions, he or she will first cement the permanent bridge with temporary cement. Then, when both you and our dentist's are satisfied that it fits properly, we will cement it permanently.
In your second appointment, we will place your permanent bridge, checking the fit and adjusting it accordingly. On some occasions, he or she will first cement the permanent bridge with temporary cement. Then, when both you and our dentist's are satisfied that it fits properly, we will cement it permanently.
How long do Bridges last?
Usually a dental bridge will last between five and seven years, or longer with proper dental hygiene, even longer than ten years.
Is is difficult to eat with a Bridge in place?
After your permanent dental bridge is placed, eating will become much easier. You may have to cut your food into smaller pieces for a short period of time. After you adjust to having a bridge, you will experience the full benefits of having more teeth.
How do I care for my Bridge?
- Brush your teeth three times a day with an electric toothbrush.
- Floss daily and never forget to thread floss underneath the dental bridge.
- If any large debris has lodged itself there, use a water pic to loosen it.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash once a day.