Crown & Bridge
Crowns
A crown is a dental restoration that is made to protect damaged or broken teeth. The crown covers the entire tooth and strengthens the supporting tooth.
Why is a dental crown needed?
A crown may be required if you have:
- A fractured or broken tooth
- An excessive amount of decay
- A tooth with an existing large filling with marginal breakdown of old filling material.
- A tooth that has been previously treated with a root canal
- A tooth with an existing crown that has failed because of decay
- To improve your smile
Treatment Planning:
Appointment One – to prepare or shape the tooth. The dentist will take an impression of the tooth and opposing teeth. A temporary crown will be cemented in place.
Appointment Two – The temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is fitted, adjusted and cemented in place.
The condition of the supporting tooth, the patient’s oral hygiene, diet and other factors will affect the length of time a crown will function.
Types of Crowns:
Crowns are made from all metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin or all ceramic.
Metal – metals used in crowns include gold alloy or other alloys. Less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal crowns. Metal crowns last the longest in terms of wear down and they rarely chip or break. The drawback is the metallic colour.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal – porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can be colour matched to adjacent teeth. More wearing to the opposing teeth occurs with this crown type. The porcelain portion can also chip or break off. Next to all-ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look most like natural teeth.
All-resin – all-resin dental crowns are less expensive than other types but wear down over time and are more prone to fractures.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain – all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns provide the best natural colour match and may be more suitable for people with metal allergies. They are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal and wear down opposing teeth more than metal or resin crowns.
Temporary crowns can be made in the dentist office whereas permanent crowns are made in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or stainless steels and can be used as a temporary restoration until a permanent crown is constructed by the lab.
The investment you place now in your mouth is important. It will serve you well in the long run. If you have any questions please let us know.
Bridges
A bridge covers the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of a replacement crown(s) for the missing tooth/teeth with two crowns on each side that are cemented to the existing teeth on either side of the missing tooth/teeth. The teeth on either side of the gap are abutment teeth and the false tooth in between is called a pontic. Pontics can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of materials.
Why is a bridge needed?:
- The teeth surrounding a vacant area in the mouth, including the teeth above or below, will eventually move into that open area. The position that these teeth move into is unnatural for them and can cause various problems that can eventually lead to tooth loss.
- Teeth are designed for particular functions. If there is an area that has missing teeth, that area cannot function properly.
- The most obvious reason for a bridge is appearance. The bridging techniques and materials used at Dentistry on Sinclair results in a very natural look.
Treatment Planning:
Appointment One – to prepare or shape the supporting teeth for their crown. An impression is made of the prepared teeth and the opposing teeth. A temporary bridge is made and cemented.
Appointment Two – to remove the temporary bridge, then fit, adjust and cement the bridge.
The length of time a bridge will function varies. The condition of the supporting teeth, the patient’s oral hygiene, diet and many other factors will affect the time of service.
A dental bridge can:
- Restore your smile
- Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Prevent remaining teeth from moving
Replacing missing teeth will help preserve other teeth and to allow you maintain proper oral functionality.
