subject: Dental Crowns And Bridges Can Restore Your Smile [print this page] Before many of the modern advancements that occurred in dentistry, a broken, chipped or missing tooth was a cause for concern. At one point, dentures were the only option to effectively replace or restore a tooth. Thankfully, today patients now have multiple options that can fully restore their smile. Dental crowns and bridges are two of the most popular options among patients and their dentists. If you have a chipped, broken or missing tooth, talk to your dentist as soon as you can to get the problem fixed.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth shaped cap that is placed over your existing tooth to restore its shape, size and appearance. Usually made of porcelain, a dental crown can restore your tooth if it is chipped or broken. Once your dentist has determined that a crown is the treatment option for you, he or she will begin the process by anesthetizing your tooth and then filing it down to make room for the crown to fit. Next he or she will take an impression of your tooth that will be sent to a dental lab, where your permanent crown will be created. In the two to three weeks in between appointments, you will wear a temporary crown that your dentist will have created for you.
When your permanent crown comes in from the dental lab, your dentist will do a final check to make sure the coloring and fit are right. If they are, he or she will then permanently cement it to your tooth. By taking care of your oral health by brushing twice a day and flossing consistently, it is not unusual for a crown to last for up to 15 years.
Dental Bridges
Unlike dental crowns, a dental bridge is designed to replace a missing tooth. A bridge is made up of two crowns on either side of a gap in your teeth that serve as anchors for a replacement tooth that goes in between the two crowns. Once your dentist has decided that a bridge is the correct procedure, he or she will begin the procedure by anesthetizing the area around your teeth and filing down the two teeth that will have crowns placed on them. After this is done, an impression will be taken of the entire area in order to create a permanent bridge that will fit in perfectly to your bite. After spending between two and three weeks with a temporary bridge, your dentist will cement the final bridge in place. With the proper care, dental bridges can last for more than a decade without any problems.
To learn more about crowns and bridges or to schedule an appointment, contact your Thousand Oaks dentist today.
