When a tooth is chipped, broken or removed, it becomes imperative to protect it or replace it in order to maintain a good bite, stable health of the adjacent teeth and good aesthetics. Crown and bridge restoration should be done to repair teeth and replace missing teeth, and thus maintain a healthy, attractive mouth.
What is the Importance of crown and bridge restorations?
Teeth work together. When one tooth is badly broken, fractured or missing, this can damage the remaining teeth and surrounding tissues. Remaining teeth shift or migrate, leading to a poor bite and surrounding tissues as explained below.
- Remaining teeth shift or migrate, leading to a poor bite and improper chewing and eventually leads to jaw joint pain.
- Shifting of teeth which also leads to poor oral hygiene, causing teeth to decay and gum infection.
- Poor aesthetics.
Understanding what are crowns & bridges
A crown is cap that covers the entire tooth to restore it to proper function and aesthetics. It can be made of acrylic, metal or ceramic. To fit a crown a tooth needs to be shaped. Crowns are either commented or bonded on to the tooth.
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are crowned and an artificial tooth bridges the gap. Depending on the position and number of missing teeth, the number of supporting teeth will vary.
A permanent bridge can take between 2-10 days to be made. In the interim, a temporary bridge is sometimes placed, to facilitate chewing and maintain aesthetics. The temporary bridge is cemented with a temporary cement.
What is the procedure for getting a crown or a bridge made?
Your dentist will reshape the tooth to create space all around it for the crown
A measurement of the prepared tooth and of the surrounding and opposing teeth is made. Your measurements are then sent to a dental laboratory for processing of the crown
Till the final cap is ready, in the meanwhile, a temporary crown may be placed. Take care of your temporary crown by avoiding sticky and hard foods and be sure to clean around it
Soon, your dentist replaces your temporary crown with a permanent one. The crown is adjusted, making sure you are comfortable with it. It is then cemented or bonded to the prepared tooth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
While a crown is often used for its functional properties, like veneers this too can be used to bring about excellent esthetic modifications in a smile.
The common indications for a crown are,
- To restore& protect fractured teeth where little tooth structure is left
- To support a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining.
- To conceal badly shaped or discoloured teeth. When the position shape, size or colour of the teeth have to be dramatically altered
- To restore badly decayed teeth with large filling or teeth which are root canal treated (teeth tend to become brittle and are more prone to fractured)
- To attached bridge as part of a bridge to support a tooth replacement
- To improve the bite
- To be placed over an implant to cover the dental implant.
Crowns can be made of acrylic, metal, ceramic or a combination of any of these. The ceramic crowns are great for aesthetics and durability.
Care for your crown & bridge!! Once you are happy with your restoration, remember to look after it well.
- Treat your crowned tooth like a normal tooth
- Brush and floss thoroughly
- In the unlikely event of your crown coming off, keep it safely and contact your dentist immediately. These can generally be refixed
- Regularly getting check-ups ensure you get the best out of your restoration.
People from all walks of life can greatly benefit from the improved confidence a better smile can give.