subject: What You Should Know About Dental Crowns And Bridges [print this page] Chances are, at some point in your life you will find yourself in a situation where you have either a chipped, broken or lost tooth. If this happens to you, it is important that you remember that your dentist has the capability to fully restore your smile. In fact, there are several ways that your dentist can restore your smile. Some of the most common ways to do this is through the use of dental crowns or dental bridges. If you are ever in a situation where you need a tooth restoration or replacement, don't hesitate to ask your dentist about dental crowns and bridges.
Dental Crowns
If you find yourself with a chipped, broken or otherwise disfigured tooth, your dentist may be able to correct the problem by using a dental crown. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is directly installed on top of a tooth to improve its size, shape, strength and/or appearance. Once you and your dentist have decided that a crown is the best option for you, he or she will begin the process by anesthetizing the area around your tooth. After this, your tooth will be reduced in size in order to make sure that there is enough room for your crown to fit in comfortably with the rest of your teeth. When this is finished, your Kettering dentist will take a precise digital impression of the area. This impression will be sent to a dental lab, where it will generally take between two and three weeks for your permanent crown to be created. In between appointments, your dentist will provide you with a temporary crown to wear.
Once your permanent crown arrives from the dental lab, your dentist will do a final check to make sure the fit and coloring are perfectly correct. If they are, he or she will then use a special cement to permanently attach the crown to your tooth. Once it is put in, a dental crown will both function and look like any of your normal teeth.
Dental Bridges
While a dental crown is used to restore a chipped or broken tooth, a dental bridge is used to replace a missing tooth. A bridge is made up of an artificial replacement tooth that is held in place on either side by dental crowns. To put a bridge in, your dentist will begin by anesthetizing the area and then filing down the two teeth that will receive crowns. After this, a digital impression will be taken of your teeth and sent to the dental lab. Just like a crown procedure, your dentist will provide you with a temporary bridge that you can wear in between appointments. When your permanent bridge arrives, your dentist will examine it to make sure that it fits correctly. After that is confirmed, he or she will cement it into place to complete the procedure.
To learn more about dental bridges or dental crowns, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Kettering today.
