CROWNS CAPS BRIDGES

Crowns and bridges are commonly used to restore damaged or lost tooth structure, or decayed teeth. They can help bring back the natural look of your smile, especially with today’s esthetic materials available. When teeth have more filling than tooth, or if there is damage that has resulted from decay, or a fracture, it weakens the tooth and a crown is often placed to save the tooth. This is especially common after a root canal therapy is done, or trauma to the tooth. A crown can cover the entire tooth above the gum line, and give patients the look and feel of a natural tooth. There are also partial crowns and onlays that can be done to preserve more tooth structure when a portion of the tooth is still intact. Years ago, we used to refer to the front crowns as “caps”, but essentially they are the same thing. Crowns can be made of gold or porcelain, or a combination of metal and gold. Obviously, the porcelain crowns are the more common and more esthetic crowns, typically used in the front of the mouth. If left untreated, a tooth with a large fracture or deep decay may need a root canal or worse – an extraction, due to loss of tooth structure.

A dental bridge serves as a permanent replacement for missing or damaged teeth. These restorations, typically three or more teeth long, are bonded (or cemented) onto the adjacent natural teeth and are referred to as a FIXED BRIDGE. Replacing a missing tooth can help maintain the bite, support the lips and cheeks, improve esthetics, and help with both speech and chewing. In addition, it can stabilize the adjacent and opposing teeth from tilting into a space created by a missing tooth. This can lessen the chances for gum disease to occur due to tilting or moving teeth. With proper care, a dental bridge should give you many years of use.

WHEN IS
DENTAL CROWN NEEDED?

Protect or restore a tooth from fracturing due to accident or trauma
Replace a tooth which is too large for a filling
Get a cap over Implant placed
Restore the tooth on which RCT was performed
Cover discolored, misshaped or badly formed tooth
Require a bridge in that case crowns are a must

When is a crown or bridge required?

A tooth is fractured or damaged
Too much decay has weakened a tooth
A tooth is severely discoloured
A tooth is misshapen
A dental bridge needs an anchor

BENEFITS OF crown or bridge

Once your crown or bridge is fitted, it’s important to maintain a regular and effective routine of oral hygiene. Brush and floss two to three times a day, taking extra care to floss around your crown. This will help avoid decay where the crown and the tooth join. Avoid sticky foods such as toffee and lollies, and do not use your teeth inappropriately – chewing pens, crunching ice, gnawing fingernails, etc.
A dental floss threader, which looks like a small bendy brush, can be used to clean under your bridge. There are also water jets on the market that will help keep your bridge clean.
Whether you have a crown or a bridge, the most important thing is to regularly visit your dentist for a checkup and clean. This way problems can be detected early, allowing them to be corrected before they become painful and expensive.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Is The Cost Of Dental Crowns?

Dental Crowns may be more expensive than fillings, but they have the advantage of actually lasting longer as well. At The Dental Home, we ensure that our patients always get the best quality and value for their money. Visit The Dental Home Clinic for more information.

How Long Does A Dental Crown Last?

Depending on several factors that include the case specifics, material, and compliance to oral hygiene routines, dental crowns may last anywhere between 5 to 15 years. We advise our patients to maintain their oral hygiene after implantation of dental crown.

Do Dental Crowns Hurt?

Before the procedure, dentists administer a local anaesthetic. Therefore getting dental crowns may not hurt. However, once the anaesthetic wears off, feeling soreness and sensitivity in the gums is usual, and it usually goes away in a few days.

START TO FINISH CONVENIENCE

In cases where the decay or fracture is small, particularly in the front teeth, a PORCELAIN VENEER can be done. This is a more conservative approach, that is primarily done to close spaces, repair large chips, straighten teeth or whiten teeth that have dark internal staining.