Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and Bridges fall under the category of Restorative Dentistry or Smile Reconstruction to restore your mouth back to pristine condition. To clear up any misunderstanding or misconception of what these two things are, let's first define them for you:
Crown:
A Crown is the portion of the tooth covered by enamel. A crown is also a type of restoration that covers all or most of a decayed or damaged tooth. Restorative crowns are usually made of gold, porcelain or a combination of both and are used when a tooth cannot be restored with a filling.
Bridge:
A Bridge is often used when one or more teeth are missing. A bridge consists of a replacement tooth that is attached to crowns on the adjacent teeth. The replacement tooth is shaped to fit the contours of its adjacent teeth, and the bridge is cemented to the teeth so it doesn't come off.
If you have lost a portion of a tooth, your dentist may suggest a crown to restore the function and look of the damaged one. Crowns can be made from several different kinds of materials. Based on location, esthetics, and cost, the right material to repair your damaged tooth will be selected. You may have one or more missing teeth due to decay or an accident. This loss not only changes the look of your smile, but affects your bite, and puts stress on surrounding teeth to compensate for the lost tooth.
A Crown is the portion of the tooth covered by enamel. A crown is also a type of restoration that covers all or most of a decayed or damaged tooth. Restorative crowns are usually made of gold, porcelain or a combination of both and are used when a tooth cannot be restored with a filling.
Bridge:
A Bridge is often used when one or more teeth are missing. A bridge consists of a replacement tooth that is attached to crowns on the adjacent teeth. The replacement tooth is shaped to fit the contours of its adjacent teeth, and the bridge is cemented to the teeth so it doesn't come off.
If you have lost a portion of a tooth, your dentist may suggest a crown to restore the function and look of the damaged one. Crowns can be made from several different kinds of materials. Based on location, esthetics, and cost, the right material to repair your damaged tooth will be selected. You may have one or more missing teeth due to decay or an accident. This loss not only changes the look of your smile, but affects your bite, and puts stress on surrounding teeth to compensate for the lost tooth.
A bridge is one option your dentist may suggest for replacing the lost tooth, restoring proper bite and relieving the stress on the surrounding teeth. The procedure entails replacing the missing tooth with an artificial tooth connected between two crowns (caps) which are permanently cemented or bonded on the adjacent teeth.
What to expect:
Partial or Full Coverage Crowns (Procedure)
Numbing jelly will be applied on the gum near the tooth in question
The doctor will administer anesthetic to make you very comfortable during your procedure.
A preliminary impression of the tooth will be taken to make your temporary crown later
With the help of a dental assistant, any decayed tooth structure will be removed by the doctor
The doctor will take the final impression of the prepared tooth.
The assistant and doctor will fill out a lab slip for your permanent crown and will choose the shade for the tooth.
A temporary crown will be made from the preliminary impression of your teeth and will be placed in your mouth with temporary cement. About 3 weeks later, you will return to the office and your permanent crown will be inserted with dental cement and adjusted to your satisfaction.
