Crowns & Bridges
Crowns and bridges are a reliable solution to lost or injured teeth. This procedure uses prosthetic means to get your smile back to its normal state. A crown is utilized when the tooth structure is chipped or fractured, whereas a bridge is used where one or more teeth are removed due to cavities or external trauma.
What is a crown?
A crown is essentially a fabricated tooth. It is normally composed of ceramic or porcelain that can be matched in color and texture to your existing teeth. A crown may also be manufactured from gold alloys for added strength when the replacement has to be done on the back of a tooth. Moreover, a metal crown is often used with porcelain welded to the outside to give it both strength and a natural look.
How is a crown fitted?
Crowns are used when a tooth is injured, fractured or deteriorated. The tooth is filed off and reformed into a smaller dimension. Any decay, if present, is removed and the tooth structure is re-established to sustain the crown. The crown fits like a plug over the freshly shaped tooth and is bonded in place.
What is a bridge?
A bridge is a prosthetic device that replaces lost teeth. Bridges are normally fabricated from porcelain bonded to metal so as to have both strengths as well as a natural look.
How is a bridge placed?
A bridge is a combination of false teeth firmly fastened between two crowns. The teeth on both the sides of the empty space are prepared for these crowns and then the bridge is bonded into place. In certain instances, it is viable to use implants to substitute the missing teeth instead of using the natural teeth. Once a bridge is bonded into place, it looks, feels and works just like a normal tooth.
Crown and bridge care
Once the crown or bridge is placed, it’s vital to continue a stable routine of oral hygiene. You need to brush and floss your crowns and bridges two to three times every day, taking extra attention to floss around the crown. This will help avoid decaying where the crown and natural tooth connect. It is better to avoid sticky foods. Also, chewing pens, crunching ice, gnawing fingernails, etc. must be avoided to extend the life of bridges.
Floss threaders that looks similar to a small bendy brush, may be used to tidy underneath your bridge. Water jets are also available on the market, which can help clean your bridge.