Crowns and Bridgework in Calgary
Crowns
Crowns are used to restore the shape, appearance, and functionality of a damaged tooth. It is a hollow, artificial tooth used to cover the existing damage or decay and protect it from further issues. A crown may be necessary after a root canal, a large filling, or if you have a broken tooth. The finished crown looks and works like your natural set of teeth.
A crown procedure is as following:
• You will receive a local anesthetic (freezing). •
• The tooth being restored will be filed down to make room for the crown. •
• An impression of the filed down tooth and surrounding teeth is taken to make your custom crown. The crown is made of a restorative material (used for fillings) based on the impression. •
• A temporary crown (made from an impression of your tooth before being filed down) is placed until your final crown is ready. This protects your tooth until the final crown is ready. •
• During your next visit, your temporary crown is removed and the final one placed. The dentist will check to ensure it is the right fit, shape, bite, and colour. Once everything is approved and good to go, the crown is cemented into place. •
type of crowns
Based on which of your teeth requires a crown, your dentist will suggest a material or combination that is best for you.
- Metal crowns: made of gold, they are built to last and chip and break resistant. They are less likely to wear down surrounding natural teeth but often do not look natural.
- Porcelain crowns: made to look the most natural, they are more brittle than composite and metal crowns and will chip more easily. They are not often used on back teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: made to look natural while retaining the strength of a metal crown, they won’t chip as easily. The metal may show if your gums are thin or shrink.
With proper care, crowns can last for approximately 10 years. They require brushing and flossing like your natural teeth. Not as strong as your natural teeth, remember not to bite hard objects and open things with your mouth.
bridge work
A bridge is a type of dental restoration that restores one or more missing teeth with an artificial tooth fused between 2 crowns. The crown is held in place by your surrounding natural teeth for a strong and permanent solution.
A bridge procedure is as following
- If you have healthy teeth on either side of the missing teeth, your dentist will file down the healthy teeth to prepare them for the bridge. If you don’t have healthy teeth, a dental implant may be surgically placed. A dental implant is a titanium metal root that used to replace the natural tooth’s root. This is used as an anchor for the artificial tooth or bridge.
- An impression of your teeth is taken to custom make the artificial tooth and crowns, called the bridge.
- A temporary bridge is placed to protect the exposed teeth and gums while your final bridge is being made.
- On your second a visit, the temporary bridge is removed and the final bridge placed. The crowns are then cemented or attached to your natural teeth or dental implant.
Types of bridges
Based on the condition and location of your teeth, your dentist will recommend an appropriate bridge.
- Traditional bridges: used when there are natural teeth on either side of the gap, traditional bridges utilize your natural teeth as support for the artificial tooth.
- Implant bridges: when there are no healthy teeth or not enough teeth, a bridge is anchored to dental implants. For more information, visit MyBite.
- Resin-bonded bridges: when the missing tooth is in the front of the mouth, this fuses the artificial teeth to metal bands to cement to the back of your natural teeth.
- Cantilever bridges: when there is only one healthy tooth on the side of the gap, this will anchor your tooth over the one natural tooth.
Bridges can last for approximately 10 years with proper care. They will need to be brushed and flossed every day with regular cleaning appointments recommended. Your dentist will instruct you on the proper care for your new bridge.
For any questions about the crown and bridge process, give our office a call.
