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What happens if you chip or lose a tooth? Maybe you have even lost multiple teeth due to age or wear and tear. No one ever wants to lose or damage a tooth, but weakened by a fracture or a large filling, a tooth might not withstand even the simplest activities such as eating. If you have damaged or lost a tooth, your Roswell dentist might suggest a crown or bridge, which are artificial replacements used to restore the function and appearance of the damaged or lost tooth. Crowns and bridges are two restorative techniques that repair damaged or missing teeth. They are used to restore tooth function and appearance. The use of crowns and bridges also help prevent teeth from shifting which commonly occurs after a tooth is lost. By maintaining or restoring your bite and smile, the effects of tooth damage or loss can be reversed by your dentist. Dental Crowns Enhance your Smile Dental crowns are used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Along with strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve the appearance, shape or alignment of your tooth. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for enhanced function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, with other materials including gold, metal, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended to restore your back teeth if needed. For those with a gummy smile, which is when a person has too little teeth and too much gums, a procedure called crown lengthening can be performed to reshape gums and bone tissue. This procedure is done to expose more of the teeth underneath the gums. In some cases, dentists perform crown lengthening as part of a more complex procedure that entails bridge and crown work. For example, a tooth may need to be lengthened to make a bridge or crown procedure more effective. Strengthen your Teeth with Dental Bridges Your dentist in Roswell may recommend a dental bridge if you are missing one or more teeth, as well. Gaps that are left by missing teeth can eventually cause your remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth, bridges span the space where the teeth are missing and are permanently attached to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth serve as anchors for the bridge and a replacement is attached to the crowns that cover the anchor teeth, called abutments. Similar to crowns, you have a choice of the materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth, its function, and the patient's goals. With proper care, a good quality crown and bridge can last up to eight years or longer. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown or bridge to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration. If you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, visit your Roswell cosmetic dentist today for further diagnosis and treatment planning.
Dr. Wyman Martin, dentist in Roswell, attended Emory University School of Dentistry, graduating near the top of his class. Upon receiving his dental degree, Dr. Martin, Roswell dentist, volunteered to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force as a Captain. Following active duty he returned to Atlanta and opened his own practice in Roswell where he has been for over 30 years.
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