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Do you have damaged or missing teeth? If so, you no longer have to hide your smile thanks to the restorative benefits of dental crowns and bridges. A crown successfully covers, or "caps," a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, which strengthens and improves the appearance of a tooth. On the other hand, a dental bridge is used to replace missing teeth, similar to a dental implant or dentures. Restore your Tooth with Dental Crowns A dental crown fits over your whole tooth to serve as a completely new outer surface. The strength of a crown makes it acceptable for teeth such as your molars, which experience a significant amount of chewing and biting forces. Crowns are generally necessary when a tooth is broken down and fillings are not appropriate for solving the problem. If a tooth is cracked, a crown is used to hold the tooth together to seal the cracks in order to prevent further damage. A dental crown might be recommended in the following situations: • To protect a weak tooth from breaking, or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
• To restore a broken or worn-down tooth.
• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling.
• To hold a dental bridge in place.
• To cover a tooth that is misshapen or severely discolored.
• To cover a dental implant. To prepare your tooth for a crown, it is reduced so that the crown can properly fit over it. An impression of the teeth and gums is made and sent to the lab for fabrication. Often, a temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. Once the crown is fabricated, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and permanently place the crown onto your tooth. Dental Bridges Replace Missing Teeth Like implants and partial dentures, dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. There are several types of fixed dental bridges (can't be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded bridges. Typically, conventional and cantilever bridges require shaping of the teeth surrounding a missing tooth or teeth. With this, crowns are then placed on the shaped tooth or teeth and attached to an artificial tooth. Resin-bonded dental bridges require less preparation of adjacent teeth and are often used to replace front teeth, as long as the gums are healthy and the surrounding teeth do not have extensive dental fillings. If your dentist determines that a dental bridge is the best replacement for your missing tooth or teeth, they will begin by examining the health of your gums and other teeth to evaluate if you are a good candidate for a dental bridge. If you are a candidate for a dental bridge, you may be given a local anesthetic so that your dentist can prepare your teeth to support the dental bridge. Your dentist will then take an impression of the prepared teeth with a putty-like material, used to create a mold of your teeth. Your dental bridge will be created by a skilled lab technician to perfectly match your natural smile. Caring for your Dental Bridge and Crown After your dental bridge or crown has been placed, your dentist in Carlsbad will provide you with information on proper care for your new restoration. In general, maintain proper oral hygiene habits by brushing twice a day and flossing with dental floss at least once a day, as well. These practices will help to remove plaque from the area where the crown or bridge meets the gums, and help prevent dental decay and gum disease. Not everyone is a candidate for dental crowns or bridges, but with proper consultation with your dentist in Carlsbad, an appropriate restorative solution will be created for your smile. No longer do you have to live with missing teeth or damaged teeth with the use of crowns and bridges.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Scott Peters, premier dentist in Carlsbad, CA. Dr. Peters follows in his fathers footsteps of being a dentist, by taking over the family business. With over 25 years of experience as a family and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Peters shows his commitment to providing the best in quality dental care through offering procedures such as Carlsbad veneers, implants and whitening.
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