Crowns & Bridgework

 

Dental crowns are a great illustration of how dentistry is both an art and a science. A dental crown, also known as a "cap," is a covering that goes over a tooth that is broken, rotted, or unsightly. As a component of a dental bridge, it can even completely substitute a tooth.

 

 

Above the gum line, a tooth with a crown is fully covered. In comparison, a dental veneer only covers the front of a tooth and is supported by the tooth's natural tooth structure. Therefore, a crown would be the preferred restoration if a tooth has a substantial amount of structure missing above the gum line.

Crowns fortify weak teeth and restore their ability to operate. Crowns can be made from high-tech porcelains (dental ceramics) that are so similar to real teeth that they can hardly be distinguished. They may even be made to enhance a tooth's natural look.

Depending on which characteristics are most crucial, we can also create tooth crowns out of materials other than porcelain. Cast gold is the best material for longevity. This, however, is not always the most aesthetically pleasing option, particularly near the front of the lips. Other options include all-porcelain crowns with zirconia, the strongest ceramic, and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns, which have a metal interior for strength and a porcelain exterior for a more natural look. We would be delighted to go over the advantages and disadvantages of these different options with you.

 

Crowning or Capping a Tooth

 

Usually, it takes two to three appointments to crown or cap a tooth. Your tooth is positioned to receive a replacement crown during the initial appointment. To fit inside the new covering, it must first be shaped. To give the molar an even shape, drilling will be necessary. Prior to the procedure, the teeth and its surroundings will be numbed. If there isn't much natural tooth structure remaining, it might be necessary to fill the tooth instead of filing it down to support the crown.

 

 

Following the preparation of the tooth, imprints of your teeth are made, either digitally or with trustworthy impression materials that resemble putty, and sent to the dental laboratory. There, models of your teeth made from the imprints will be used to create a crown. The highly qualified lab technicians will use the models as a reference to make sure that your new crown is made to improve your smile and work properly within your bite.

Your tooth will receive a temporary crown before you leave the clinic to safeguard it until the permanent crown is prepared. Your permanent crown will be affixed to your teeth at the second appointment using either a resin that hardens when exposed to a specific light source or a special kind of permanent cement.

 

Creating a Bridge

 

Additionally, crowns can be used to fashion a convincing dental replacement for an absent one. Bridgework, which fills in the gap left by the missing teeth and calls for a minimum of three crowns, is used to accomplish this. Two of those crowns will be fitted over the abutment teeth, which are the healthy teeth on either side of the gap created by the lost tooth. The two crowned abutment teeth serve as supports for the pontic, a third crown that is inserted in the space between the two. More crowns will be required to fill the space created by the absent teeth if there are multiple missing teeth.

 

 

The quantity of missing teeth, the size and length of the abutment tooth roots, the amount of bone support each abutment tooth has, and the location of the missing tooth in the jaw all have an impact on the number of abutment teeth required to replace missing teeth. For instance, four abutment teeth may be required to create a seven-tooth bridge if you have three lost teeth. Understanding tooth replacement techniques as well as the biology of the supporting bone and gum tissue is necessary for the engineering and construction of the bridge.

 

Caring for Your Crowns & Bridgework

 

The same thorough care must be given to crowns and bridgework as your natural teeth. Every day, make sure to brush and floss between all of your teeth, both natural and restored, to prevent dental plaque accumulation. It is crucial to continue visiting the dentist for your routine cleanings when you have crowns. Do not use your canines as implements. (to open packages, for example). Wearing a nightguard would be wise if you grind your teeth frequently in order to safeguard your teeth and your investment.