If you’re missing even a single tooth, you’re no stranger to the impact it has on your self-confidence and everyday life. If you’re lucky, the missing tooth hasn’t affected your ability to smile, talk or even enjoy your favorite treats. However, the accelerated grinding and decaying caused by your healthy teeth drifting out of place, can quickly deteriorate overall oral health and even mess with speech. With a custom crown and bridge from our experts, you can dig into your favorite foods and flash your best smile with confidence.
What is a Crown?
When a tooth is cracked, decayed or severely affected by trauma, a filling might not be enough to contain the damage. That’s where a dental crown (also called a cap) comes into play, to lend some extra strength and hold the tooth together. Our specialized staff takes an impression of the tooth and makes a new customized cap, to provide a solid reinforcement that replicates the natural shape and size of the original. The crown is dyed to match the surrounding teeth, so it fits and looks like the original tooth would, only stronger!
When Do You Need a Crown?
- When a large filling needs to be replaced and there isn’t enough tooth structure around the cavity to hold the filling in
- When a tooth is too weak and in danger of breaking, chipping or fracturing
- If you need to cover up a discolored or oddly-shaped tooth
- For restoring a cracked or fractured tooth, and preventing further damage
- To provide some extra support to bridges and teeth that have undergone root canal treatment
- To cover up a dental implant and help it blend in
Crowns can be made from different compositions of metal and porcelain. The latest restorative materials in use these days are metal-free ceramics that usually last between five and eight years, but with proper care, they can last much longer.
What is a Bridge?
While crowns can reinforce chipped and cracked teeth, severely damaged teeth or entirely missing ones can cause more extensive problems. In addition to looking odd, chewing food can be a very difficult and often painful experience. The gap can also cause other teeth to shift, and the sharp edges can cut your tongue or gums when you bite, increasing the likelihood of infections and complications.
When Do You Need a Bridge?
Bridges are required when you have large areas in your bite line that have gaps or missing teeth. There are a few factors that need to be considered before opting for a bridge, which literally bridges the gap between your teeth. Just like a real bridge, it needs a solid foundation and good anchorage. In your mouth, that translates as the gums, jawbone and surrounding teeth.
If you need a bridge, the dentist at our establishment will take into account:
- How many teeth are missing
- The condition of the teeth the bridge will rest on
- Health of the gum and bone where the bridge will support itself
A bridge is generally cemented to adjacent teeth and provides additional support to other teeth – ‘bridging’ the gap. With the addition of a bridge, you get a uniform bite that won’t cause cuts and you don’t have prominent holes glaring at others when you smile, either!
At the end of the day, whether it’s cosmetic or functional, our precise procedures and durable materials work together to ensure a great fit that looks and feels natural.
What is a crown?
A crown is a restoration that covers a tooth, restoring it to its normal shape and size. It also strengthens and improves the tooth’s appearance.
Why are crowns required?
Crowns are required for broken tooth. A crown also helps in holding a cracked tooth together to seal the cracks so that the damage doesn’t get worse. Crowns are also used to restore a barely existing tooth, attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth and cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.
What is a crown made of?
Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials. Some of the most popular options are: Porcelain bonded to precious or non-precious metal, porcelain, all-ceramic (metal free), glass and silver & gold alloys. For crowns, new materials are being introduced all the time.
What is a bridge?
Attaching the tooth replacements to adjoining natural teeth to replace missing tooth/teeth is called a bridge. For a bridge, the adjoining supporting teeth are required to be healthy and have good gum and root support.