Crowns and Bridges Dentist
Crowns dentist are prosthetic devices cemented onto existing teeth, essentially acting like a “cap” and are used to cover a badly damaged or decayed tooth. The purpose of a dental crown is to protect fragile tooth from fracture and give extra strength to the remaining tooth structure. Fractures, chipping and cracks frequently happen to teeth with large existing restorations, or teeth that under excessive load as in sleep grinders and people who clench a lot. It can also improve the physical appearance of discoloured teeth. Dental crown also provides perfect match to natural tooth colour and shape. At our practice, we do different types of crowns.
Crown is advised in following cases:
- Replace 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 discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
The procedure of getting a crown dentist requires a detailed impression of the tooth (or gum if the tooth is missing). The impression is then taken and will replicate the tooth, allowing a true duplicate of a tooth to be produced, from the minor details including the colour and shape. Finally, upon completion of the crown, it is fitted and permanently bonded to the tooth/teeth.
If you are suffering from tooth loss or damage, contact us today.
Bridges
A bridge may be recommended if a person is missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite, also food impaction. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are tooth-coloured prosthetic device which can be fixed or removable which is anchored to neighbouring teeth for support and replaces missing tooth/teeth. Dental bridges look and function like normal teeth and can be hard to distinguish from natural teeth. Bridges may also help reduce risk of gum disease and help correct biting issues.
Depending on the position of a missing tooth and surrounding teeth, there are various bridges available to choose from. A fixed bridge is when they are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. Fixed bridges are fixed and cannot be taken out of your mouth. The bridge is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the missing tooth area or teeth.
How long do Crowns and Bridges Last?
While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes become 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 see us regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings.
To prevent damage to your new crown or bridge, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects.