subject: Crowns And Bridges Offer The Restoration You Need For A Smile That Boasts Confidence [print this page] When your teeth are damaged, or you are missing teeth, do you know what your options are? No one ever wants to deal with a damaged tooth, or even a missing tooth. However, when the unthinkable happens, it is important to understand that you have options. Cosmetic dentistry is continuing to grow as a popular form of dentistry to restore the smiles of patients. Through cosmetic dentistry, crowns and bridges are available to help fix damaged teeth and replace missing teeth.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped "caps" that are placed over an existing tooth that is damaged. Capping the damaged tooth, crowns are designed to restore the tooth's shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. When cemented into place, a crown fully encases the entire visible portion of your tooth that lies at and above the gum line-allowing your tooth to be restored without anyone even noticing you had a damaged tooth!
A dental crown may be needed to:
*Protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts that have cracked
*Restore an already broken tooth or tooth that is worn down
*Cover and support a tooth with a large filling
*Hold a dental bridge in place
*Cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
*Cover a dental implant
Permanent crowns can be made from all metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, or all ceramic.
Caring for Your Crown
A tooth with a crown does not require any special care. However, it is important to remember that the tooth beneath the crown is not protected from decay or gum disease. Therefore, it is vital that you continue to practice good oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day-at the minimum. It is especially important to brush and floss around the crown area where the gum meets the tooth.
What are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are just as they sound-they bridge the gap that is created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge consists of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth-teeth in-between. The false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
Bridges can be used to:
*Restore your smile
*Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
*Maintain the shape of your face
*Distribute the forces in your bite properly
*Prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position
There are three main types of dental bridges: traditional, cantilever, and Maryland bonded. Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between (as stated previously). These are the most common types of bridges and are typically made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth, and Maryland bonded bridges are made of plastic teeth and gums supported by metal framework. Metal wings on each side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth. With a proper consultation with your Dearborn dentist, a bridge will be selected that properly replaces your missing teeth. As with crowns, it is important to maintain proper dental hygiene after your bridge is placed because the success of the bridge depends greatly on the solid foundation offered by the surrounding teeth.
If you have a damaged or missing tooth, contact your dentist in Dearborn for a proper examination. With a proper consultation, your dentist will create the best treatment plan for restoring your smile-whether it is the use of a crown or bridge.
