CROWNS AND BRIDGES
Crowns
Crown or a dental cap is commonly used to entirely cover a damaged tooth, restoring its original shape and size. It protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with filling.
Steps involved in getting a crown
It is mostly two visit procedure in which first visit includes making of impression for giving temporary crown which is followed by removal of decay and reduction of specified tooth to make space to receive the crown. This is a painless procedure done under local anesthesia. Impression is recorded of this prepared tooth and sent to lab for fabrication of suitable crown. Meanwhile temporary crown is prepared chair side & cemented.
At your second appointment temporary crown is removed and tooth is cleaned. New crown is cemented on the tooth after fine adjustments, to get accurate fitting and bite.
Why you Need A Crown:
- Discolored tooth
- Root canal Treatment
- Cheeped/ Weakened Tooth
- Excessive Tooth Wear
- Fractured Tooth//Teeth
- Abnormal Developmental Tooth shape
Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance used to replace missing teeth.
In this treatment gap created by missing teeth is replaced with artificial teeth by taking support of the adjacent teeth.
Dental bridge is highly durable and lasts many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.
Steps involved in getting fixed bridge
Getting a bridge usually requires two or more visits. First sitting can be done under anesthesia. Teeth adjacent to the gap are prepared by removing appropriate amount of tooth structure to create space to receive the material of bridge. Highly accurate impression of this is made which is sent to dental laboratory. Meanwhile a temporary bridge is made.
At the second visit, permanent bridge will be carefully checked, adjusted and cemented to achieve accurate fit.
In case of sensitivity to those prepared teeth supporting the bridge, then they have to undergo Intentional Root Canal Treatment before finalizing the bridge in the mouth.
Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visit will aid in the life of bridge.
Specifications for bridge:
- Fill space of missing teeth
- Maintain facial shape
- Prevent drifting of remaining teeth
- Restore chewing and speaking ability
- Restores smile, in case of missing one or more front teeth
- Upgrade from removable partial denture to a fixed treatment option.
Different materials for crowns and bridges:
Whatever be the crown selected it should resemble the natural form of the teeth. In the front teeth it should match the color of adjacent teeth and in back teeth, it should be made of hard material so that it can bear the forces of mastication.
Different materials available are as follows-
Metal free:
This includes various materials like all ceramic, zirconia, E max crowns. They do not have metal component, so are highly aesthetic and generally recommended for replacing front teeth.
Advantages-
- Aesthetic, it almost looks like your natural tooth/teeth
- Biocompatible as it can be used in patient with metal allergy
- Better fit and good tissue response.
- Does not cause any problem during MRI.
Disadvantages-
More amount of tooth reduction.
Porcelain fused to metal:
Layering of ceramic is done above metal coping. They are color matched and good choice for back teeth and front teeth also.
But due to metal inside, sometimes metal may show through at the gum level margins.
Advantages-
- Aesthetic
- Good strength
Disadvantage-
- Metal underlying the porcelain crowns can show through as a dark line if gums recede.
- May cause interference in diagnostic procedure like MRI.
Metal crowns and bridges:
These are made of full metal. They are mostly used in back teeth due to metal display.
Advantages-
- Good strength
- Less wearing so has long life
- Rarely chip or break
- Least amount of tooth structure needs to be removed.
Disadvantage-
- Poor aesthetic
- In diagnostic procedures like MRI, may create interference