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When tooth loss occurs or teeth are severely damaged, what are your options to restore your smile? A dental crown may be used to protect a cracked tooth, restore functionality of a tooth with excessive decay or replace a pre-existing crown. Dental bridges on the other hand, like implants, are used to replace missing teeth by filling the gap and are made up of two dental crowns for the teeth on either side. With the help of dental crowns or bridges, you can fully restore your smile to prevent the development of more severe dental health problems. Dental Bridges Close the Gap Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of your missing teeth. Since they are custom-made, bridges are not noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth, in addition to the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth. Sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, bridges are permanent and bonded to existing teeth or implants. Some bridges are removable and can be cleaned, while others need to be removed by your Sacramento dentist. A resin-bond bridge requires less preparation of adjacent teeth and is often used to replace your front teeth. This is only possible if your gums are healthy and your surrounding teeth do not have extensive dental fillings. If you are a candidate for a dental bridge, you will be given a local anesthetic so that your dentist can prepare your teeth that require the support of the bridge. If the support of your teeth are decayed or badly broken down, your dentist will have to build them back up in order to successfully apply a dental bridge. Dental Crowns Cover Damaged Teeth While conventional crowns have been used to strengthen teeth for decades with great success, they were unable to improve appearance due to the dark metals used to fabricate the crowns. With recent advancements in dental technology and an increasingly high demand for esthetics from patients, crowns made of porcelain have emerged as a popular alternative to unsightly metal crowns. When the damage to a tooth is extensive, a crown is often used to cover the weak tooth. Crowns can be used for various reasons, including: • To treat or protect a weak tooth, or those with large fillings
• To strengthen a fractured or broken tooth
• To enhance a tooth that is discolored or treated by a root canal
• To hold a dental bridge in place
• To cover a dental implant
• To provide a strong, smooth, attractive surface for stained, misshapen or abnormal teeth
• To improve the shape, size or color of teeth With proper care, a good quality crown can last up to eight years or longer. It is vital 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 can significantly shorten the life of your crown. Even more so, eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can also compromise the durability of the crown, or even damage the crown itself. If you have damaged or missing teeth, it is recommended that you visit your Sacramento cosmetic dentist for further consultation on the best procedure for restoration. Your dentist can recommend the best restorative option for missing teeth to help you regain your natural smile.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Sacramento dentist, Dr. Yen Lieu. She holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Each year Dr. Lieu, dentist in Sacramento, CA, devotes a substantial amount of time to attending advanced education courses.
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