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CROWNS
Crowns are a type
of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully covers
the portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. In comparison,
fillings are dental restorations that fill in or cover over just
a portion of a tooth. A dental crown in effect
becomes the tooth's new outer surface.
Crowns can be made out of porcelain (dental ceramic),
metal (a gold or other metal alloy), or a combination of both. Other
terms that are used to refer to dental crowns are
"dental caps" and "tooth
caps."
Why do teeth need dental crowns?
A dentist might recommend placing a dental crown
for a variety of reasons but, in general, most of these reasons
will usually fall within one of the following basic categories:
- To restore a tooth to its original shape.
- To strengthen a tooth from fracturing.
- To hold together and seal a fractured tooth from
decay
- To improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth.
- To support the replacement teeth in a bridge.
- To restore and maintain a natural bite relationship
- To cover and strengthen a root canal tooth due
to eventual brittleness that develops after that treatment.
The procedure followed in crown
restoration is one of preparing the tooth in it’s
damaged or weakened condition to be a strong core for final crown.
This involves restoration and reshaping under a local anesthetic.
Since function of the tooth is of great importance, an exact registration
and impression of the prepared tooth or teeth to the other teeth
are taken. A temporary coverage crown is made and
placed while the laboratory specialists artfully manufacture the
permanent crown.
Fixed Bridges
What is a Bridge?
A bridge is a dental appliance that replaces one
or more natural missing teeth, thereby "bridging"
the space between two teeth. Fixed bridges are
cemented into place next to "abutment" teeth- the surrounding
teeth on either side of the space or "span." Unlike removable
partial dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken
out of the mouth by the patient.
A fixed bridge is a device that typically consists
of three units- one or more pontics (a false or replacement tooth)
fused between two crowns that are cemented to abutment teeth.
Bridge Candidates:
If you are missing any teeth and are committed to maintaining good
oral hygiene practices, you may be a good candidate for a bridge.
A bridge is the most natural choice to fill the
space in your mouth left by missing teeth. This space can cause
the surrounding teeth to drift out of position and can cause teeth
and gums to become more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease
that can cause further tooth loss. Fixed bridges
not only correct an altered bite, improve your chewing ability and
speech, but they also safeguard your appearance by preventing the
collapse of your facial features that can cause premature wrinkles
and age lines.
What types of bridges are there?
Besides traditional bridges, another popular design
is the resin bonded or "Maryland" bridge,
primarily used for the front teeth. This is usually the most economical
choice when the abutment teeth are health and don't contain large
fillings. The pontic is fused to metal bands that can be bonded
to the abutment teeth with a resin cement and hidden from view,
reducing the amount of preparation o the adjacent teeth.
A cantilever bridge may be used if there are teeth
on only one side of the span. This involves anchoring the pontic
to one side over one or more natural adjacent teeth. If there are
no adjacent teeth to act as anchors, your dentist may recommend
an implant (a metal post that is surgically imbedded into the bone
and capped with a crown as an abutment).
In some cases where the span is large, your dentist may recommend
a removable partial denture or even an implant-supported prosthesis.
Procedures involved:
For a traditional fixed bridge, the first appointment
consists of the dentist reducing the adjacent abutment teeth that
will act as anchors. Impressions are made from which a metal or
ceramic framework including the pontic (replacement part) is created.
By the second appointment, the final bridge is
fitted over the teeth. The total treatment time is usually between
two and four weeks, depending upon the type of bridge.
However, because it is often difficult to match the natural shade
of your teeth, the treatment time may be longer.
Aftercare for the
Bridge
With a bridge, it is more important than ever to
brush, floss and see your dentist regularly. If you do not control
the buildup of food debris and plaque- the sticky film of bacteria
formed from acids in foods- your teeth and gums can become infected,
requiring further treatment and resulting in possible loss of the
bridge. Your dentist may also recommend using floss
threaders that help remove bacteria from hard to reach spaces between
the bridge and adjacent teeth and gums.
If you maintain optimal oral hygiene care, you can expect your fixed
bridge to last as many as 10-15 years, or even longer.
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