Crown and bridge are fixed prosthesis to replace one or more missing teeth. Crowns need to be placed when you may have to nurse a fractured tooth as well. The fracture could have resulted from trying to crack a hard nut or even opening beer bottles with your teeth. A crown will entirely cover or “cap” the weakened tooth structure giving it strength, improving its function, shape and appearance. Though gold and metal crowns and bridges are strong, those made from porcelain are popular. Over the years as a result of technological advancement porcelain materials have become more durable.
BENEFITS OF CROWNS AND BRIDGES
- Cover root canal treated tooth
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Improve strength of damaged teeth
- Replace missing teeth
WHAT TO EXPECT?
A typical dental crown or bridge procedure starts off with a consultation with the dentist. He will examine your teeth to assess the tooth for suitability for a crown as well as check the surrounding structures such as the bone levels and gums around the tooth. If the tooth is not a good candidate, it may need to be extracted and have a prosthetic one placed instead.
The dentist will have to prepare the tooth to receive a crown. They will then make an impression (mould of your tooth) to send to the dental laboratory. A temporary crown is fitted when the permanent one is made in the dental laboratory. In case of a bridge, teeth on either side of the missing area will be prepared to make crowns that serve as anchorage for the bridge.
Once the crown is cemented in place, you will need to care for it as you do for your other natural teeth. Use a good, dentist-approved toothpaste and toothbrush to clean your teeth every day. All in all, remember maintaining a good, healthy tooth is an important part of your oral health care regimen.
Niddrie Dental Clinic uses the services of a laboratory in Melbourne to fabricate their crowns and bridges.
