Crown And Bridges

What are Crown and Bridges?

Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures which you can take 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 colour of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.

• Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
• 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.

How do Bridges work?

A bridge may be recommended if you’re 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. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint disorders.

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 surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments.

As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth.

How are Crown and Bridges made?

Before either a crown or a bridge can be made, the tooth (or teeth) must be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit over it properly. After reducing the tooth/teeth, your dentist will take an impression to provide an exact mould for the crown or bridge. If porcelain is to be used, your dentist will determine the correct shade for the crown or bridge to match the colour of your existing teeth.

Using this impression, a dental lab then makes your crown or bridge, in the material your dentist specifies. 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 removed, and the new crown or bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth.

How long do Crown 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 see your dentist regularly for checkups and Professional cleanings. To prevent damage to your new crown or bridge, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects.

Why replace missing teeth?

Once you lose teeth, the immediate solution is to replace them, especially if they are front teeth. But what happens when you lose teeth that are not visible when you smile? The tendency is to ignore them. However, any missing teeth can have a negative Impact on your quality of life, as well as dental and oral health. When we chew, a healthy tooth strengthens the quality of the bone; similar to how Exercise protects against bone loss. Furthermore, when a tooth is missing, healthy teeth tend to shift Position towards the gap due to bone loss, affecting how our upper and lower teeth meet.

This may affect how we place pressure on the teeth when chewing, and have an impact on surrounding muscles and joints, resulting in pain and various other symptoms such as headaches or migraines. Hence each tooth plays an important role in ensuring that teeth in front of and behind it stay in alignment, and maintain the jaw bone. Today modern dental restorations help thousands of people improve their lives. With the latest technologies and materials, individual teeth – or even entire rows of teeth – can be replaced for a natural looking appearance and restored function. We invite you to learn more about the many options available to you. Ask your dentist about regaining a natural, self-confident smile.