|
What are Crowns? |
| A dental crown is a
restoration that is made to cover the entire
surface of the tooth and can be made with or without
a metal substructure. Crowns improve the
strength, color, size, shape and overall appearance of
teeth. A crown is used to restore your teeth
in the best way possible. Bridges are a series
of crowns joined together to replace missing
teeth. |
|
Why Replace
Missing Teeth? |
| Losing a tooth can be of social
and psychological concern. Teeth are lost for a
number of reasons including: |
- Dental decay
- Periodontal (gum)
disease
- Trauma (injury or
accident)
|
| When a permanent tooth
is lost, the neighboring teeth are affected.
Because the support and chewing forces are
altered, the remaining teeth will begin to
shift. The tooth above or below the one that was
lost will begin to move up and out of its
socket. This accelerates periodontal
(gum) disease and causes further
breakdown in the dental arch. If the missing
tooth is not replaced, more teeth will
eventually be lost, due to the improper forces
exerted during chewing. |
|
What Is Crown and Bridge Treatment? |
| Crown and bridge
treatment is a long-term method of
replacing missing teeth. A crown
is placed on an individual tooth,
(somewhat like a thimble over your finger)
where there is no longer sufficient tooth
structure left to place a filling. |
| A bridge spans a
space where one or more teeth have been lost
in the dental arch. The teeth on
either end of the span are crowned,
and are referred to as abutments. The
false teeth in a bridge that
join the abutments are referred to as
pontics. |
| Crowns and bridges
are most often made from superior materials
such as precious metals (gold),
semi-precious metals, porcelain, or a
combination of metal fused to porcelain.
Both esthetics (appearance) and function are
considered when selecting the material most
suitable for you. |
|
How
Is Treatment Performed? |
| At the first
appointment a thorough oral
examination, evaluation of your
dental history and necessary
x-rays are completed. The diagnosis
is based on these three factors. Once it
has been determined that crown and
bridge treatment is indicated, you
will be set up with a series of
appointments. Note: It's
important that you keep all of these
appointments. Your treatment occurs
in a planned sequence. Missing or
postponing your appointment may cause
treatment delays, allowing further
tooth movement before treatment can
be completed. |
|
What Will Happen? |
| The tooth or
teeth to be treated are numbed
with an anesthetic. Sometimes
you can expect the side of your face
to feel numb, as well. Next, during
the preparation phase, your tooth or
teeth to be crowned are trimmed
down. This allows sufficient
space for the crown or bridge
to fit. |
| After this
preparation stage has been
completed, an impression of that
area of your mouth is taken. Your
teeth will be fitted with temporary
coverage until your next
appointment. |
| At the following
appointment, the crown or bridge
is adjusted for proper fit, prior to
permanent placement. It is often
necessary to fine trim and polish
the new crown or bridge.
Other factors to consider include: |
-
Esthetics - color match
and appearance
-
Function - chewing and
biting accuracy
-
Tissue
compatibility - the
contour of the prosthesis
must allow the surrounding
tissue to conform to a
natural, healthy position.
|
|
Replacing Missing Teeth |
-
Helps restore and
maintain the natural
bite
-
Prevents unnatural
stress on other teeth
-
Helps keep opposing
teeth in their proper
place
-
Prevents shifting
and tilting of adjacent
teeth
-
Helps prevent
further dental decay and
periodontal (gum)
disease
-
Maximizes your smile,
speech and chewing
function
|
|
