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What happens if you are eating dinner or you're with friends and you are suddenly holding half of one of your teeth in your hand? 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. Your Livonia dentist might suggest a crown or bridge, which are artificial replacements for a damaged or missing tooth, to restore the function and appearance of the damaged 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. Strengthen your Teeth with Dental Bridges Your dentist in Livonia 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 aesthetic considerations. 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. Your Livonia cosmetic dentist may recommend a crown to:
• Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining.
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing.
• Restore a fractured tooth.
• Attach a bridge.
• Cover a dental implant.
• Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth.
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment. 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. 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 Livonia cosmetic dentist today for further diagnosis and treatment planning.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading dentist in Livonia, MI, Dr. Dennis Laurich, at Laurich Dentistry. Established in 1991, Laurich Dentistry, Livonia general dentist, is a solo practice promoting dental health in a warm, caring environment. Not only does Laurich Dentistry build healthier mouths, but they create beautiful smiles.
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