Crown and Bridge
CROWN AND BRIDGE
WHAT IS A DENTAL CROWN?
A dental crown is a fixed prosthetic restoration made to return a tooth to its original shape, size and function.
Dental crowns can be made of a variety of materials with different characteristics for specific applications. The most commonly used are:
porcelain/ceramic , porcelain fused to metal, zirconia , metal and gold.
The latest materials in crowns are extremely life-like and blend in with natural teeth.
REASONS FOR CROWNING
STRUCTUAL INTEGRITY
- Protect heavily filled teeth from fracture
- Protect root filled teeth from failure caused by leakage and or fracture. Protect hypoplastic teeth (weak enamel) from decay.
- Protect teeth from damage and wear caused by excessive bruxing.
COSMETIC
- To cover severely discoloured or misshapen teeth.
- Improving alignment.
A crown or bridge requires two dental visits.
VISIT 1
- Under local anaesthetic the tooth is shaped and prepared by removing a 0.5 – mm layer from all surfaces of the tooth to make space for the crown.
- An impression is taken of the preparation and surrounding teeth and sent to a laboratory for custom fabrication .
- A temporary crown is placed until the following visit .
VISIT 2
Temporary crown is removed and permanent crown is cemented.
HOW LONG DOES A CROWN LAST?
The average life span of a crown is 15 years but when well maintained can last 25 years if not longer.
The crown itself is an impervious material that cannot decay however the junction where the crown meets the natural tooth is susceptible to decay so it is important to keep it clean.
The longevity of a crown can be improved by practising a good it home oral hygiene routine and attending your biannual dental visits for an oral exam and professional clean.
BRIDGE
A dental bridge is a succession of crowns joined together to close or bridge the gap of a missing tooth.
The bridge consists of a pontic (crown to replace missing tooth) that is supported by abutment crowns that are place on the adjacent teeth.
Bridges require the same care as crowns and a special floss must be used to clean underneath the bridge.