What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are designed to make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance. They fit over a tooth to protect it from further damage. Dental crowns are necessary when a tooth is broken down and fillings are unable to replace the lost tooth structure.
If a tooth is cracked, a dental crown holds the tooth together to prevent the further propagation of the crack.
A dental crown can cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there is not enough tooth structure left. In most cases, dental crowns are indicated after a root canal therapy, and are used to protect the non-vital tooth.
Dental crowns are also used to protect weak teeth from fracturing, restore fractured teeth, or cover badly shaped or discoloured teeth.
What happens when you get a dental crown?
To prepare the tooth for a dental crown, your tooth will be reshaped smaller so that the crown can fit over it. An impression of the teeth and gums will be made and sent to the laboratory for crown fabrication.
A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. On your next visit to the dental clinic, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent crown onto the natural tooth.
How long do dental crowns last?
With proper care, dental crowns normally last from eight to 12 years. However, with good oral hygiene, dental crowns typically enjoy higher life expectancy. It is important to clean between your crowns and teeth. Flossing is important to remove plaque from the crown area where the gum meets the tooth as it can cause dental decay and gum disease.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Missing teeth can impair proper speech and lower aesthetic appeal. Besides dental implants, a dental bridge is another option that can help restore your smile. It is actually made of several dental crowns connected together.
Dental bridges help maintain the shape of your face, as well reduce the stress in your bite by replacing missing teeth.
Sometimes called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth. In most cases, bridges are very natural and unnoticeable. They literally bridge the gap where one or more natural teeth may have been. Unlike a denture that you can remove for cleaning, only a dentist can remove a dental bridge.
If you wish to consult a dentist to find out more, you can make an appointment online or contact a dental clinic near you. We have 11 dental clinics located islandwide.