Types Of Dental Crowns

You can choose from various types of dental crowns. The ideal crowns will depend on the material used in their manufacturing. When choosing the right dental crown, you should consider several factors, including durability, cost, and functionality. Some crowns are more costly than others, but they are also more durable. When choosing dental crowns, pricing should not be the only determining factor. It is best to choose quality over pricing. The common types of dental crowns include:

Gold Alloy

Gold alloy dental crowns are composed of metals like gold and copper. Gold alloys are long-lasting because they do not tear the tooth out. Metal alloys and gold are the sturdiest and best materials for crowns. Gold alloy crowns can withstand chewing and biting forces and resist decay.

Stainless Steel

Your dentist can place a temporary stainless steel crown while you await your permanent one. Stainless steel crowns reduce the risk of decay by preventing bacteria from penetrating the treatment site. However, this crown is rarely used permanently. Your dentist will remove the steel crown and replace it with a permanent one when it is ready.

Base Metal Alloys

Base metal alloys make solid crowns and are resistant to corrosion. They also require less teeth removal during fitting.

Porcelain Fused Metal

Unlike regular porcelain, porcelain fused metal is stronger because it is attached to a metal structure. Porcelain fused metal crowns come in handy in fixing the front teeth since ceramic blends well with a patient’s natural teeth color. When the affected tooth lies in the front part of the mouth, a porcelain crown is the ideal option.

Types Of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. They are a perfect dental restoration, whether a tooth has been removed because of structural damage or decay. Your dentist will place a bridge over the gap that the missing teeth left. The dentist will replace the middle holes with fake teeth while the teeth on the side act as anchors. Dental bridges often have a natural appearance after placement. Some of the common types of dental bridges include:

Implant Supported Bridges

Implant-supported bridges have similar structures to traditional bridges. Dentists use dental implants to hold the bridges in place. When more than one tooth is missing, your dentist can recommend implant-supported bridges. Typically, the dentist will place an implant for each of the missing teeth. Implant-supported bridges are comfortable and secure. They restore the normal functioning of the tooth and are also long-lasting.

Maryland Bridges

Maryland bridges have a porcelain or metal framework, which supports the pontic. The metal is bonded to the backs of the teeth next to the gap. This metal framework eliminates the requirement for modifying the adjacent teeth. The strength of the bridge depends on the resin that anchors it. Maryland bonded bridges are affordable and conservative bridges.

Traditional Dental Bridges

Traditional dental bridges are famous bridges cemented onto the tooth next to the gap. Your dentist will use crowns to anchor false teeth in place. The dentist will remove the enamel of the adjacent tooth to fix traditional bridges. Removing enamel on the adjacent teeth creates space for the crowns to be cemented on. The leading benefit of traditional bridges is that they are strong and durable.

Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever brides are similar to traditional bridges. The only difference is that they will have dental crowns supporting false teeth on one side. Cantilever bridges are used if you have one gap with a natural tooth next to it. Cantilever bridges, when placed safely, save both money and time.

How Dental Crowns And Bridges Work

A dental crown caps the damaged, decayed, or weak tooth. Generally, crowns help maintain the tooth’s size, strength, appearance, and shape. Your dentist could recommend a dental implant if you lose a tooth. The dentist will put a crown on top of the implant. The crown can be made from one or a mixture of materials. The popular and readily available material used for making crowns is gold alloy. Porcelain, acrylic, and ceramic crowns are common because they match your natural teeth. Acrylic and ceramic options are more durable.

There are many alternatives to dental bridges. Your dentist will guide you on the best bridge for your needs and the number of missing teeth. Other factors that dentists consider include the tooth’s visibility, the cost, and how the bridge works.

The Procedure For Dental Bridges And Crowns

Most patients understand the meaning of crowns, bridges, and implants. However, only a few patients understand the procedure of placing crowns and bridges. If you are scheduled to acquire dental crowns and bridges, understanding what to expect can make you less anxious and more prepared.

When having a dental crown or bridge, your dentist will provide local anesthesia to ensure you do not experience pain or discomfort. The dentist will first perform any necessary root canals or extractions. A root canal treatment involves removing damaged pulp from the tooth and cleaning the cavities.

The placement of dental crowns and bridges should not be painful. If you experience any pain during the process, you should inform your dentist right away. Your dentist will take the necessary measures to ensure your comfort throughout the process.

Placing dental crowns and bridges is straightforward. Your dentist will prepare your teeth during the first visit. Usually, the dentist will re-contour either side of the gap after tooth preparation. Your dentist will also extract a section of the enamel before placing the crown on the tooth.

After the tooth is prepared, dentists take an impression and create a model. The model is used to create the crown or bridge at a dental lab. Your dentist will make a temporary crown or bridge during the first appointment. You will wear the temporary crown or bridge until your next visit. The temporary restoration will prevent germs from entering your teeth until the dentist prepares a permanent crown or bridge.

Your dentist will remove the temporary bridge during the second dental visit. He/she will replace the temporary bridge with a new crown or bridge. Porcelain is used to make bridges. A dentist could twist the crown to adjust it and ensure it fits well in a patient’s mouth.

You will have to make several visits to ensure that crowns and bridges fit correctly. The number of visits you require will depend on your dental needs. It will take two weeks to cement the permanent bridges and to determine whether the crowns or bridges fit well. Your dentist will fix the bridges and crowns permanently during your second visit.

Advantages Of Dental Crowns And Bridges

There are several advantages that you can reap from dental crowns or bridges. You could enjoy the following benefits:

Enhances Speaking And Chewing

When you lose one or several teeth, it can be challenging to pronounce certain words, and chewing certain foods can be challenging. Dental crowns and bridges enable you to speak and chew properly.

Maintains Your Facial Shape

When you lose a tooth or several teeth, your jawbone could deteriorate. Your cheeks can appear sunken, especially in the affected area. It is important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. Dental crowns and bridges are perfect options to help you maintain your facial shape.

Prevent Your Teeth From Moving

Crowns and bridges can help maintain your teeth in their natural position. When you fill the missing teeth with crowns and bridges, your natural teeth will be held in their position. If you have missing teeth, your remaining teeth will shift and could eventually loosen and fall off.

Restores Your Smile

If you have missing teeth and want to restore your smile, your dentist can recommend dental crowns and bridges. A beautiful smile can improve the quality of your life by making you more confident. You no longer have to feel conscious due to the unsightly gaps between your teeth. With a perfect smile, you will not shy away from social places for fear of what people will think about your teeth.

Candidates For Dental Crowns or Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges offer different benefits, meaning you can be a candidate for one or the other. There are many reasons why a person could go for crowns and bridges. You could be a good candidate for dental crowns if you have one or several moderately or severely damaged teeth. Your dentist can recommend a dental crown where your damaged or decayed tooth cannot be restored using a dental filling, onlay, or inlay.

The candidates for dental bridges are people with one of several missing teeth, surrounded by healthy teeth on either side. You could also consider dental bridges if you need to extract one or several teeth. The best way to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental crowns and bridges is by scheduling a consultation with your dentist. The common signs that indicate your eligibility for dental crowns and bridges include:

If You Suffer From Cracked Tooth Syndrome

This is a condition in which your tooth is not broken but has cracks. When you bite or chew food, you could experience a sharp pain. Other people could be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If you undergo a crown or bridge procedure, you can avoid cracked tooth syndrome and prevent further tooth damage in the future.

You Have Undergone A Root Canal Therapy

If your nerve tissues and inner pulp become infected, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy. During root canal therapy, the dentist can extract the decayed portions of the tooth along with the affected tissues. Your teeth are at a high risk of breaking after root therapy, so a dental crown comes in handy to hold the tooth in place and prevent it from breaking.

You Have A New Decay On A Tooth With A Filling

Tooth decay can develop even if your doctor treats tooth decay with dental fillings. This can happen whether you have composite or silver amalgam fillings. Tooth decay can occur around the filling. Your dentist could place another dental filling to treat the additional tooth decay. However, crowns or bridges are the best treatment for the subsequent decay. Your tooth could be weakened and vulnerable to additional damage if your dentist places another filing on the tooth.

You Have Broken Teeth

A broken tooth can cause a lot of pain and affect your smile and oral health. If left untreated, it could become severely damaged and require extraction. Crowns and bridges could be the best option for oral health when you suffer a broken tooth that does not require removal. A crown will cover the broken tooth well. Crowns and bridges can restore tooth structure, strength, and appearance and prevent further damage.

Taking Care Of Crowns And Bridges After The Procedure

It is essential to adhere to all the instructions your dentist gives you after undergoing crown and bridge procedures. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your dentist. Typically, you should do the following to ensure proper healing after dental crowns and bridges:

Be Careful If Your Mouth Is Numb

Depending on how much local anesthetic your dentist used, you could experience numbness for several hours after the dental procedure. As the numbness wears out, you should be watchful of your bites. Do not chew until the numbness wears off to avoid accidental bites on your tongue, cheeks, and lips.

Observe Your Bite

It could take several days to get used to your crowns and bridges, which sometimes require adjustment. If you experience dull aches or your bite does not feel right, contact your dentist. A slight adjustment could make a great difference.

Avoid Biting Or Chewing Hard Foods And Objects

Your crowns and bridges could fail to withstand the pressure of biting and chewing hard foods and objects even if they resemble your natural teeth. You could cause severe damage to your natural teeth, crowns, and bridges if you bite or chew hard foods.

Regularly Visits Your Dentist For Checkups

You should visit your dentist regularly and observe good oral health care practices at home. Your dentist will assess and monitor your progress during the routine visits. Your dentist will fix any problem that arises as early as possible if he/she detects any issue with your crowns or bridges.

Take Pain Relievers When Required

You could experience pain in your mouth after the dental procedure. The pain could last for several days or even up to a week. You could also experience aches or soreness several days after the dental procedure. You should use pain relievers like ibuprofen or Tylenol to relieve the pain.

Brush And Floss Your Teeth Regularly

Avoid brushing over your crowns and bridges too softly. You can brush and floss your teeth as usual because crowns and bridges are strong and secure. You should brush your teeth at least two times per day. Ensure you floss between your teeth at least twice daily to remove the food particles trapped between the teeth. You can keep the harmful bacteria at bay by using an antibacterial mouthwash to keep dental plaque at bay. If you have bruxism (grinding or clenching your teeth), you should consult your dentist about wearing a mouth guard. Go for regular dental cleanings and examinations.

You should contact your dentist if you have a loose crown, chips or cracks in your dental restoration, or a bad taste or breath. You should also contact your dentist if your dental restorations have sharp edges that bother your gums or tongue.

Durability Of Crowns And Bridges

Crowns and bridges could fall or become loose if you chew hard objects like ice, hard food, or nuts. Dental diseases or bone loss could also cause the crowns to fall off. Proper dental hygiene will ensure that your crowns and bridges last longer. You should brush your crowns and bridges at least two times daily. It is also recommended that you use products like antimicrobial mouth rinses. Contact your dentist if you experience any unexpected dental crowns or bridge problems.

Complications Of Dental Crowns And Bridges

Dental implants are the foundation of the crowns and bridges in most cases. Complications of dental crowns and bridges are rare because dental implants do not pose any risks. The rare complications commonly arise soon after the dental procedure. You must learn the possible risks related to crowns and bridges. The possible complications could include:

• Persistent swelling or a yellow discharge, which could be a sign of an infection or abscess
• Severe pain after the dental procedure

Most patients resume school, work, and other routine activities soon after a dental crown or bridge placement. It is normal to experience a degree of sensitivity for several weeks before you become used to the dental restorations. You could be sensitive to heat or cold in the first few days following treatment.

It is also normal to experience tenderness and soreness in the gums surrounding the treated tooth. These sensations are normal and will fade after a few days. You should take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease any discomfort.

Food sticking underneath the crown and bridge is one of the common problems with dental crowns and bridges. Food could stick if the dentist fits the bridge poorly. The buildup of food could result in bacteria that cause diseases or infections. When you experience sensitivity or pain, you should seek medical attention. This could be a sign of failed dental crowns and bridges.

Foods To Avoid After Acquiring Dental Crowns And Bridges

Here are some of the foods that you should avoid to ensure the longevity of your dental crowns and bridges:

• Ice cubes
• Popcorn, especially those with kernels
• Tough nuts
• Sticky foods like caramels and taffy

These foods could damage or dislodge your dental crowns and bridges.

The Cost Of Dental Crowns And Bridges

The cost of a dental crown can vary based on factors such as the material used and the specific tooth being treated. Similarly, the cost of dental bridges is influenced by the number of teeth involved in the restoration.

For detailed information regarding the cost of your specific dental treatment, please contact us for a personalized assessment and to discuss your options.

Proper care of dental restorations, such as crowns and bridges, is essential to ensure their longevity. We will provide you with instructions on how to handle and store these devices correctly. Following our recommendations will help prevent damage and maintain the integrity of your dental work.

Whether Dental Crowns And Dentures Are Permanent

Dental crowns and bridges can last up to thirty years with proper care and maintenance. If they get cracked or damaged, you have to replace them sooner. If you notice wear and tear or other damage, it is time to replace your dental crown.