subject: Replace Your Missing Teeth With Crowns And Bridges To Restore Your Bright Smile [print this page] When your teeth become heavily decayed, chipped or knocked out, your dentist has a few different options to repair your smile. Thanks to increases in dental technology, your dentist can return your smile to prominence without a great deal of discomfort to you. Dental crowns and bridges can be used to repair broken teeth or replace missing teeth. If you are having dental problems and think you may need to replace parts of your teeth than it may be time to talk to your dentist about getting a crown or bridge installed.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are synthetic caps that are placed on top of a tooth, replacing missing or decayed tooth material. Generally, they are made out of porcelain. Once a crown is installed, it will both act and appear as a normal tooth. To put a crown in, your dentist will have to reduce the size of your tooth to make room for the crown. After this, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth, which is then sent to a lab. The lab will create your custom-designed crown and send it back to your dentist within a few weeks. In the meantime, your dentist will provide you with a temporary crown to wear while you wait for your permanent one. When the crown has arrived, your dentist will use a special cement to permanently attach it to your teeth. When the process is completed, you will not be able to tell that you have a replacement tooth.
If you take care of your crown, it should last 8 years or longer. However, you must do a good job of keeping up with your oral hygiene to make sure no excessive plaque builds up on the crown, as this can cause it to fail prematurely. In addition, eating certain hard foods like candy or ice can damage the crown.
Dental Bridges
If you are missing teeth, dentures are no longer the only option you have. By getting a bridge put in, your dentist can anchor a replacement tooth between your existing teeth. After discussing with your dentist and deciding to get a bridge installed, your dentist will begin the process by cutting down the two teeth that will serve as the edges of the bridge. Your dentist will then take impressions of these teeth in preparation for fitting crowns on them. While you are waiting for the permanent crowns to come back from the lab, you will be fitted with a temporary bridge and crowns. Your dentist will then attach your permanent bridge and crowns once they come back from the lab.
With proper care, your new dental bridge can last as long as 15 years or more. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily will help to make your bridge last longer and prevent against any further tooth decay.
If you want to learn more about dental crowns or bridges, contact your Southfield dentist today.
