You can keep your teeth healthy with regular brushing, flossing and checkups. However, if over time one or more of your teeth become damaged due to decay, cracks or trauma we can provide you with a dental crown or bridge to fix existing issues and prevent new ones from surfacing in the future.
What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a device that can be used to protect teeth, fix teeth that are damaged, or be placed on teeth to act as supports for dental bridges. In the case of root canal therapy, most often a dental crown is necessary to protect the treated tooth. Other issues, such as broken teeth, chipped teeth and more can make patients great candidates for receiving dental crowns.
What are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge may be recommended if you are missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and TMJ disorders.
Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth is attached to the crown that covers the abutments.
How are Crowns and Bridges Made?
Before either a crown or a bridge can be made, the tooth/teeth must be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit over it properly. After reducing the tooth/teeth, your dentist will take an impression to provide an exact mold for the crown or bridge.
Using this impression, your dental bridge or crown will be custom-made in a lab. A temporary crown or bridge will be put in place to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown or bridge is being made. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, the temporary crown or bridge is removed, and the new crown or bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth/teeth.
How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?
With the proper care, crowns and bridges can last a lifetime. However, they do sometimes come loose or fall out. The most important step you can do to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene. A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Also, see your dentist and hygienist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.
Whether you need a dental bridge or a tooth crown, at Byerly Family Dentistry our team is ready to provide you with the treatment you need. Call us today if you have any questions.