San Leandro & Lafayette, CA Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental Bridges
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section
of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely
noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the
proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.
Dental Bridges
are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, because they are
semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants. There are
several types of fixed dental bridges (cannot be removed), including
conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded
bridges. Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and
clean, your dentist can only remove a fixed bridge. .
Porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials are usually used to
make
dental bridge
appliances.
Appliances called implant bridges are attached to an area below the gum
tissue, or the bone.
Dental Crowns
Dental Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like
porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth.
Dental Crowns
are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance
following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a
tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be
removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth.
Dental Crown
s are also used to attach bridges, cover implants, prevent a cracked
tooth from becoming worse, or an existing filling is in jeopardy of
becoming loose or dislocated. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and
are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to
its natural appearance.
Procedures
A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. An
impression is then made from the existing tooth to create a
custom-designed crown. The impression is sent to a special lab,
which manufactures a custom-designed crown. In some cases, a temporary
crown is applied until the permanent crown is ready. Permanent crowns
are cemented in place.
Crowns are sometimes confused with veneers, but they are quite
different. Veneers are typically applied only to relatively small areas.
Caring For Your Crowns
With proper care, a good quality crown could last up to eight years or
longer. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid
excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration.
Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding)
significantly shorten the life of a crown. Moreover, eating brittle
foods, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion of the crown, or
even damage the crown.