Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns, sometimes called caps, cover an entire tooth to restore its shape and size. They protect teeth from further damage and improve the appearance of your smile. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to replace a tooth that has been lost.
A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a damaged tooth. It is meant to strengthen a damaged tooth and protect it from further damage. Crowns can be made of different materials, such as porcelain, gold, zirconia, etc. A crown procedure usually requires two office visits.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that replaces missing tooth or teeth. The false tooth, known as a pontic, replaces the lost tooth. The two crowns on each side of the gap are cemented to your existing teeth and act as anchors for the bridge. The bridge is permanently connected between the two crowns and fills in the gap with a natural-looking, porcelain replacement tooth/teeth.
How are crowns and bridges bonded to your teeth?
A crown is a cap that completely covers your tooth above the gum line. Bridges are a series of crowns that “bridge” the gap left by one or more missing teeth. Both crowns and bridges are held in place by bonding them to the surrounding teeth. Unlike dental crowns that cover the entire tooth, a bridge only surrounds the tooth or teeth and is held securely in place by the neighboring teeth.
Both of these restorations are made in a laboratory and then cemented or bonded to the tooth. This cementing process requires special care to prevent damage to the enamel of your natural teeth and the restorations themselves. The dentist carefully etches the surface of the tooth before placing the bonding agent so that the cement can properly adhere to the surface. Once this process is complete, the restoration is permanently bonded to the tooth.
Post-op care
Patients should avoid chewing on hard objects or using their teeth to bite down on ice until the permanent bonding is in place. If you experience any pain or discomfort in the days after your restoration has been placed, contact your dentist for further evaluation as soon as possible. If a crown or bridge is loose or falls out, immediate dental care is necessary to prevent further damage to your smile. Your dentist will likely need to remove any temporary glue and clean the area before re-cementing the restoration.
To find out more about the dental services offered at our dental practice, call (469)-298-3892 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 1901 Northwest Highway, Suite 103, Garland, TX 75041.
