Bridges2

Crowns

Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the
top of a tooth.

Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a
restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so
advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used
to restore the tooth.

Crowns are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked tooth
from becoming worse, or when an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or
dislocated. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and are applied when a discolored
or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.

Procedures

A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. A cast is made of
the existing tooth and an impression is made. The impression is sent to a special
lab, which manufactures a custom-designed crown. In some cases, a temporary
crown is applied until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns are
cemented in place.

Crowns are sometimes confused with veneers, but they are quite different. Veneers
are typically applied only to relatively small areas.

Caring For Your Crowns

With proper care, a good quality crown could last up to eight years or longer. It is
very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection
of debris around the restoration.

Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly
shorten the life of a crown. Moreover, eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can
compromise the adhesion of the crown, or even damage the crown.

Bridges

Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing
teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can
restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between
upper and lower teeth.

Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, because they are
semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants.

Porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials are usually used to make bridge
appliances.

Appliances called implant bridges are attached to an area below the gum tissue, or
the bone.