CROWNS & BRIDGES

The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of the tooth that lies at and above the gum line. A crown is a cap made from various materials suitable for withstanding the biting and chewing forces that a normal tooth must endure. It is placed over a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance.


WHY IS A DENTAL CROWN NEEDED ?

A dental crown may be needed to rebuild broken or decayed teeth or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth. To restore a damaged, broken or severely worn down tooth. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't much of the tooth left. To secure a dental bridge in place. To cosmetically improve the appearance of misshaped or severely discolored teeth. To cover a dental implant.

A DENTAL BRIDGE is an appliance made to permanently fit between two porcelain crowns. The bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth. Today, we refer to this as a, FIXED BRIDGE. Think of a FIXED BRIDGE as a permanent bridge which cannot be removed the same way you remove (take out and put back on) partial dentures.


INDICATIONS FOR CROWN:

  • Chipping or breakage of teeth due to trauma.
  • Severe tooth decay that weaken a tooth, with a high risk that the tooth may break.
  • After root canal therapy, tooth is weakened and may fall apart.
  • Tooth with large filling.
  • Worn down tooth over time.

When a tooth is likely to break due to the above factors, a crown is often the best way to save a tooth and strengthen it. A crown fits over the existing natural tooth and replaces the natural crown, the part of the tooth seen above the gum.


INDICATIONS FOR BRIDGE:

If a tooth is lost due to accident, or too badly decayed to save with a crown, it has to be extracted. Bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. They consist of an artificial tooth anchored to the natural teeth on each side of the gap.
Crowns and bridges are usually made of porcelain and gold alloy. Porcelain is strong and can be made to match the colour of the natural teeth. It's resistant to staining and can be cleaned if it becomes stained. Gold alloy is used for its strength, hardness and durability. It's especially useful for back teeth that must withstand the forces of grinding and crushing. Gold alloy and porcelain are well tolerated by the gum and cheek, allergy reaction is rare.
Teeth have many functions apart from chewing and biting, so missing teeth should be replaced for the following reasons:

  • To improve appearance.
  • To precent stresses causing damage to other teeth.
  • To prevent the teeth near the gap from shifting.
  • To maintain the natural bite.
  • To improve chewing ability.

    • You will require at least two appointments for preparation and fitting of a crown or bridge, sometimes a tooth will require root canal therapy or a post before crown or bridge treatment.