The mere thought of living with a compromised tooth can take a toll on your daily life. It can make the normal functioning of the mouth challenging, which can also affect your diet. The gaps in your mouth caused by the missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious about smiling or talking to others, which affects your confidence. Crowns and bridges are restorations that will aid you in getting back your smile.
A dental crown is a cap that is secured over a damaged tooth that has been treated and restored. They help enhance the aesthetics of a smile. A crown can be fabricated from three different materials: all-metal, ceramic-on-metal, and all-ceramic, depending on the patient's choice and requirements. The place of the crown in the mouth will also help decide the best material to use. For instance, front teeth require an all-ceramic crown to look similar to the natural teeth so that an individual's appearance is not compromised. But many patients also prefer using ceramic-on-metal crowns since they look realistic and at the same time have the strength that only metal can provide.
A dental bridge is used when one or more missing teeth cause a gap. They consist of two crowns that are fastened to the teeth on either side of the gap. In between the crowns is the artificial teeth known as pontic that covers the gap. The bridges are made from different materials such as gold, porcelain, other alloys, or other combinations. They can be supported by either dental implants or the remaining natural teeth.
What are the benefits of Crowns and Bridges?
- A crown helps to hold together an otherwise cracked tooth or protects a decayed and weak tooth from breaking altogether.
- A broken or worn down tooth is restored with the help of crowns.
- They help conceal a dental implant.
- Cover a misshapen or discolored tooth.
- The normal functioning of the mouth, such as eating and speaking, is reinstated.
- The relocation of the remaining teeth is prevented.
- The shape of your smile and face is maintained.
How are the crowns and bridges fixed?
Crowns are used to conceal an existing tooth that is damaged, fractured, or weakened. The tooth's enamel is scraped and reshaped into a smaller size. If there is any decay present, it is removed, and the tooth is restructured in order to secure the crown. Strong adhesives are used to bond the crown into its designated position.
A bridge is comprised of false teeth firmly secured between the two crowns. The bridge is fitted into place after the teeth on both sides of the gap are prepared. It is possible to use implants to replace the missing teeth rather than using the existing teeth in some cases. After a bridge is cemented into position, it looks and works just like natural teeth.
Call Elan Dental Center at (919)-556-6761 or schedule an online appointment to know more about Crowns and Bridges.
