Crown / Bridge
Porcelain Crowns and Gold crowns
Porcelain crowns or gold crowns are restorations that cover the entire tooth. They are indicated when there is a substantial portion of the tooth that is decayed or when cracks and fractures are visible. The tooth may or may not hurt. At The Dental Group of Tysons, we use all ceramic crowns or porcelain crowns to design cosmetic improvements as well as to correct therapeutic problems. There are a wide range of patient needs and problems that dental crowns fix due to their versatility.
Crowns Strengthen Teeth
Advantages of all-porcelain crowns :
- All-porcelain crowns can be colored and shaped to blend more naturally and aesthetically with your teeth
- All-porcelain crowns have strong composition
- All-porcelain crowns are resistant to expansion and contraction when exposed to heat and cold
Crowns Protect and Restore Decayed or Damaged Teeth
A tooth that is cracked, chipped, broken or severely decayed can be protected with a dental crown and have its original shape restored so that it feels and functions as it did before becoming damaged. All-porcelain crowns protect the remaining tooth as well as metal crowns do. All-porcelain crowns can be expected to last ten or more years if cared for properly.
Bridges
Bridges are indicated when a person is missing one or more teeth. A bridge is permanently anchored on two sides of the missing tooth by covering the teeth with crowns.
Bridges restore the chewing function of the mouth and stop any teeth from migrating and tilting. It is very important to chew with a full complement of teeth to ensure the longevity of all the teeth and good quality of life. The bridge is maintained with proper brushing and flossing as with the natural teeth.
Bridges are one method used to replace missing teeth. They are fabricated not only to restore the chewing function but also matched to the existing teeth for the best cosmetic results.
Procedure
Crowns and bridges require two appointments. During the first appointment, the teeth are prepared or reduced to compensate for the thickness of the restoration. A temporary crown or bridge is made to protect the teeth and keep the teeth from moving. During the second appointment, the temporary restoration is removed and the permanent restoration is placed, the bite adjusted, and permanently cemented into place. There is about two weeks in-between both appointments.
The advantages of dental bridges
- Improves chewing and speaking
- Prevents the eventual shifting of the teeth surrounding the gap, which can lead to a malaligned bite
- Replaces missing teeth
- Distributes the forces of chewing throughout the mouth
The disadvantages of dental bridges
Bridges do not necessarily last a lifetime. Since they are anchored by natural teeth on either side of the gap the anchor teeth can also become compromised with time requiring the bridge to be replaced. Usually in the absence of periodontal disease and good oral hygiene a bridge can last ten to twenty years.
Because the replacement tooth does not stimulate the underlying jaw bone, there is a risk of jaw bone shrinkage, again causing complications with the surrounding healthy teeth. |
