Crowns and bridges are two restorative
techniques that repair damaged or missing teeth. They restore tooth
function and appearance. The use of crowns and bridges also avoids
shifting teeth that can happen after a tooth is lost. By maintaining
or restoring the patient's bite and their smile the effects of the
tooth damage or loss are reversed.
•AM I AN IDEAL CANDIDATE
FOR THIS PROCEDURE?
A
crown is recommended
for anyone who has a tooth that is beyond repair with a filling, inlay
or onlay. Damage due to decay, accident, wear, or grinding can be
repaired with crowns. It should be noted, however, that more conservative
techniques in cosmetic dentistry, such as veneers, inlays, onlays,
bonding, and bleaching have replaced some of the instances when crowns
were used in the past to achieve esthetic goals.
A
bridge is recommended
for anyone who has a tooth missing. Like crowns, bridges are also
being used less often, as implants are becoming a very popular means
of replacing one or more lost teeth. However, for your particular
situation, a crown or a bridge may be the best and most cost efficient
method of getting back a functional, attractive smile after tooth
damage.
•HOW IS THIS PROCEDURE
PERFORMED?
The procedures for making and fitting a crown or a
bridge are very similar. Both require two trips to the dentist's office.
During the first trip, the tooth or teeth that will be crowned will
be reduced, that is, prepared to support the crown structure. This
involves removing the 1-2 millimeters of tooth structure. Of course,
if the tooth damage is the reason for the crown, that is the part
that is removed. The reduction process leaves a thimble shape that
will receive the crown or crown ends of the bridge.
An impression is made of the reduced teeth and a temporary
crown or bridge is put in place to function while the final bridge
or crown is being made. The laboratory uses the impression to custom
make the final restoration. It is important that the crown or crowns
of a bridge fit exactly to avoid decay in the future and provide good
function of the artificial teeth. During the second trip, the temporary
crown or bridge is removed, the area cleaned, and the final crown
or bridge is cemented or bonded into place.
•HOW LONG DOES THIS
PROCEDURE TAKE?
The first visit to the dentist will be about one hour.
If all goes well with the fitting, the second visit is slightly shorter,
about forty-five minutes, but this could be longer if adjustments
need to be made in the fit.
•HOW MUCH PAIN
WILL THERE BE?
Because of the administration of local anesthesia,
there is no pain during either of the two visits for getting a crown
or a bridge. After the restoration is placed in the mouth, it is not
unusual for the teeth receiving the new crowns to be mildly sensitive
to extreme temperatures for several days following the treatment.
If the sensitivity is severe - or if your bite feels uncomfortable
you should contact your dentist because further adjustments to the
bridge or the crown might be necessary.
