Crowns & Bridges - Trusmiledental

Feel Confident in Your Smile with Dental Bridges

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth to an adjacent tooth or teeth.

A Permanent Method for Replacing Missing Teeth

A dental bridge refers to replacing one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth to an adjacent tooth or teeth. A dental bridge can restore the function and aesthetic form of your mouth. To get this kind of replacement done for you, let’s call us to set a consultation.

What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is a permanent restoration used to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Bridges are custom-made to blend in with your surrounding teeth and look completely natural. They restore the aesthetic contours of your smile and reinforce the relationship between your upper and lower jaw to give you a healthy bite and ensure that your mouth functions properly.

Who Needs Dental Bridges?

If you have a missing tooth or teeth due to tooth decay, injury, or gum disease, then a bridge could be your best choice to ensure the long-term oral health of your mouth. Teeth on both sides of an empty space may start shifting into the gap, making it likely that bite problems will start to hurt. A bridge maintains the structure of your mouth and keeps your natural teeth in their correct position. It also restores the aesthetic beauty of your smile.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is more permanent than a denture and less invasive and less expensive than a dental implant. Bridges do not need to be removed for cleaning or sleeping, as they fit much better in the mouth than dentures do. Of course, a dental implant is also an excellent choice for replacing teeth, but this is a more invasive procedure and a more expensive option.

Problems with tooth loss

Your teeth are designed to work together. If you lose teeth for a long time, your other teeth will begin to shift which can create structural imbalances in your mouth. This can lead to:

Bite issues
Trouble eating
Discomfort due to stress placed on your jaw and other natural teeth
Loss of confidence in your smile

Crowns Give Back Your Smile

Crowns are protective coverings of a damaged tooth. Built to resemble a natural tooth, crowns restore function to a damaged tooth and enhance your smile.

Permanent Crowns Resemble Healthy Teeth

If you have a broken, decayed, misshapen, or discolored tooth, or a tooth that requires a root canal, a crown is a long-lasting, natural-looking treatment option that will restore the function and appearance of your tooth, and your self-confidence.

What Are Crowns?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that covers a tooth to restore its shape and strength and improve its appearance. A crown fully encases the entire visible portion of a tooth above and at the gum line and protects the tooth during use. There are several types of crowns, though the most common have a porcelain exterior to match the appearance of natural teeth.

Types of dental crowns include:

Stainless steel crowns are applied to permanent teeth since many years.

Prefabricated Stainless steel crowns are widely used on children’s primary teeth because they don’t require multiple dental visits to be installed, they are less expensive than custom-made crowns, and they are more durable. The crown naturally comes out when the primary tooth eventually falls out to make room for the permanent tooth.

Dental porcelain fused-to-metal crowns can be matched with the colour of your existing adjacent teeth and provide adequate strength and durability; however, in time the porcelain portion of the crown might chip or fracture if chewing hard foods or dental trauma is experienced.

Besides all-porcelain crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have an aesthetic appearance. However, the metal underlying the crown’s porcelain can sometimes show through as a dark line, especially at the gum line, and even more so if your gums recede.

All-resin dental crowns are less expensive than other crown types, though they look less like natural teeth than porcelain-exterior crowns. All-resin crowns also wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than other crown types. They are used as a temporary treatment option only.
All-porcelain or all-ceramic dental crowns have a more natural tooth colour than any other crowns and are likely preferable for those who are metal sensitive. They are highly aesthetic.
Zirconia crowns are another best option that is made up of a single solid white material. It thus overcomes the drawback of porcelain fused-to-metal crown and is very strong and aesthetic.

Crowns When?

Your dentist might propose a crown if you:

Need to have a cracked or worn down too badly that needs to be restored.
Have a big filling in which not much of a tooth is left, cover it and hold it with a crown
Save a tooth that has been weakened by decay
Restore a misshapen or severely discolored tooth
Support a dental bridge
Cover a dental implant

How Do I Take Care of My Crown?

When a crown is properly cared for, it can last 15 years. Crowns can be cared for through brushing and flossing just like regular teeth. Decay is still possible on the tooth under the crown if you do not practice proper oral hygiene. If the tooth under the crown decays, then the crown has to be removed in order to treat the tooth.

Other habits like grinding and clenching the teeth, particularly the jaw, can cause a crown to lose a lot of life. Consult your dentist to have this behaviour treated. Avoid eating hard or brittle foodstuffs that can hurt your crown.

FAQs

Do crowns and bridges require special care?

While crowns and bridges are durable, they require good oral hygiene practices similar to natural teeth. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and attending regular dental checkups are crucial for maintaining their longevity and functionality.

Will crowns and bridges feel natural?

Crowns and bridges are designed to be comfortable and function the same as natural teeth. It takes some time to get adjusted to the new restorations, but they should not cause any discomfort during everyday usage.

Alternatives to crowns and bridges?

Alternatives to crowns include fillings, inlays, or on lays for lesser damage of the teeth. Alternatives to bridges include dentures or dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Risks of crowns and bridges?

Some risks associated with crowns and bridges are sensitivity, allergic reactions to some of the materials (extremely rare), and chipping or fracturing of the crown or bridge.

Can crowns and bridges be repaired if damaged?

Sometimes, damaged crowns and bridges can be repaired. How much depends on the damage; maybe the restoration can be repaired, or it is so bad that it must be completely replaced.

How do I prevent needing a crown or bridge?

Good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups can prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease that may require a crown or bridge.