Bridges
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.
- Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, because they are semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants
- Several types of fixed dental bridges available, including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded bridges
- Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, your dentist can only remove a fixed bridge
- Porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials are usually used to make bridge appliances
- Appliances called implant bridges are attached to an area below the gum tissue, or the bone
Crowns
Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth.
- Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal
- When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth
- Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse, or an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated
- Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance
Procedures
- A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown
- An impression is then made from the existing tooth to create a custom-designed crown
- The impression is sent to a special lab, which manufactures a custom-designed crown
- In some cases, a temporary crown is applied until the permanent crown is ready
- Permanent crowns are cemented in place
- Crowns are sometimes confused with veneers, but they are quite different as veneers are typically applied only to relatively small areas
Caring For Your Crowns
- With proper care, a good quality crown could last up to eight years or longer
- It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration
- Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a crown
- Eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion of the crown, or even damage the crown
