What are tooth crowns?
Dental crowns cover the entire visible surface of your affected teeth that are no longer structurally sound, adding strength, durability and tooth stability.
Who is candidate for tooth crowns?
- Teeth with root canals
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Teeth with large fillings
- Grinding your teeth and age are contributing factors in the wearing out.
Procedure
On the first appointment
After the first impressions are taken, the tooth is prepared, then the last impressions are followed (those that are sent to the technician with the instructions of the proper color). Finally a temporary crown is placed while the laboratory is constructing the crown.
On the final appointment
The permanent crown, ready from the laboratory is cemented onto the tooth.
Types of tooth crowns
There are basically 2 types of crowns, those made of ceramic crowns and metal-ceramic crowns.
The group with the higher strength until recently was the second type of crowns, but after the application of Zirconium Oxide in the first group, the results are very promising as well. Undoubtedly, the all porcelain type of crown has the nicest appearance.
What is a bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that is necessary when there is at least one tooth missing.
The group with the higher strength until recently was the second type of crowns, but after the application of Zirconium Oxide in the first group, the results are very promising as well. Undoubtedly, the all porcelain type of crown has the nicest appearance.
Advantages
-
The avoidance of filling the space of a missing tooth can lead to the unpleasant result of losing other healthy teeth. This is because the teeth on either side of the space have the tendency of closing the gap creating orthodontic problems to the patient.
Additionally, the tooth that is opposite to the empty space gets longer.
- Bridges correct bite issues, improve speech and give a nice aesthetic result.
Procedure
On the first appointment:
A mild anaesthetic will be given to the patient to numb the area; the teeth will be prepared and shaped precisely. The dentist will then make an impression, which will serve as the model from which the bridge will be made by the dental laboratory. Before the end of the first appointment a temporary bridge is placed on the prepared teeth for the protection of the patient’s gums and teeth.
On the second appointment:
The temporary bridge will be removed, then the custom made bridge will be tried and adjusted for any bite discrepancies. Also, the colour will be chosen during this appointment. Finally, the temporary bridge is re-placed.
On the last appointment:
The temporary bridge is removed and the new bridge is then cemented in place.
Caring of the bridge
The good caring of the bridge is very important for its long-life.
In addition to tooth brushing one can use special interdental brushes.
