Crown and bridge work

Tooth crown

A crown is a restoration that covers, or "caps," a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Prosthetic crowns are made of metal, porcelain fused to metal substrates, or new all-white restorative materials. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is generally broken down and fillings won't solve the problem. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks so the damage doesn't get worse.

Crowns are also used to support a large filling when there isn't enough of the tooth remaining, attach a bridge, protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth,cover badly shaped or discolored teeth or protect a root-canal filled tooth with compromised strength.

Procedure in fabricating a crown

The tooth is numbed with an anesthetic and prepared for the crown by removing any decay or weakened areas. The remaining tooth structure is then reshaped to meet proper crown preparation design. If necessary, a restorative material, usually a composite resin, is added to the remaining tooth structure to ensure that the prosthetic crown will have a good foundation.

This procedure is called a "build-up." After the tooth is prepared, an impression of teeth and gums is made and sent to the lab for the crown fabrication. On the next visit, the dentist cements the permanent crown onto the tooth. During the second appointment, the new crown is placed on the tooth. Adjustments may be required to exact the perfect fit, so that the crown will feel comfortable in the mouth and will conform to the bite.

When the crown fits seamlessly and contacts the neighboring teeth correctly, the crown is cemented on the tooth. The dentist's main goal is to create crowns that look like natural teeth. That is why dentists take an impression. To achieve a certain look, a number of factors are considered, such as the color, bite, shape, and length of your natural teeth.

Any one of these factors alone can affect your appearance. If you have a certain cosmetic look in mind for your crown, discuss it with your dentist at your initial visit. When the procedure is complete, your teeth will not only be stronger, but they may be more attractive.

Dental Bridge

A bridge is a dental appliance that replaces one or more natural missing teeth, thereby "bridging" the space between two teeth. Bridges are cemented into place on the "abutment" teeth--the surrounding teeth on either side of the space or span. Unlike removable partial dentures, bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth by the patient.A bridge is a device that typically consists of three or more units-a pontic (a false tooth) fused between two crowns that are cemented onto the abutment teeth.

Suggestions and precautions for crown and bridge

• Adjustment period: It is ok for the bridge to feel a little out of place for a few days after cementing. This is because the teeth around this area are adjusting to new forces both in between the teeth and upon biting.
• Preventive Procedures: To provide optimum longevity for your restorations and to prevent future decay and supporting-tissue breakdown, please use the following home care tips:
• Brush after eating and before bedtime around the bridge with a soft toothbrush, especially where the crown or bridge meets the gum line (margin). At this margin area harmful bacteria can be harbored to cause decay and gum disease.
• Floss at least once to twice a day to remove plaque under and around these areas to maintain good oral hygiene. On a bridge you must clean “under” as well as around the bridge. If you do not control the buildup of food debris and plaque your teeth and gums can become infected.
• Fluoride rinse is to be used before bed. Swish the fluoride rinse vigorously in your mouth for at least one minute. Do not swallow any of the rinse and do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes.
• Use a proxybrush (interdental brush) to clean around the area after each meal
• Chewing: Do not chew hard foods on the restorations for 24 hours from the time they were cemented — to attain optimum strength, the cement must mature for approximately 24 hours Also avoid eating or chewing on hard objects, food or ice
• Sensitivity: Do not worry about mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods. This sensitivity will disappear gradually over a few weeks. Infrequently, sensitivity last longer than six weeks.
• Problems: Call us immediately if any one of these conditions occurs: If the tooth is the first tooth to hit when you bite down after a couple of days, contact us for an adjustment; a feeling of movement or looseness in the restoration; sensitivity to sweet foods; a peculiar taste from the restoration site; breakage of a piece of material from the restoration or sensitivity to pressure.