Crown

Crown is an excellent restorative procedure to cap a tooth that has been extensively damaged due to tooth decay, broken, misaligned, and severely discolored. It is also used to cap tooth after root canal treatment.  Crowns completely cover teeth, restoring them to their natural color, size, shape, and function. The location of the crown in the mouth usually dictates the type of material used.

• All porcelain crowns – These are recommended for restoring front teeth because they can easily blend with existing natural teeth.
• All metal crowns – are typically used where great strength is required (they’re the strongest, most durable type) however, appearance may be of a little concern, that is why they are mostly used for back tooth, away from the smile line.
• Porcelain fused to metal crowns – These crowns provide stronger bond than all porcelain crowns because it is connected to a metal structure. These types of crowns are also extremely durable.
• All resin crowns –are less expensive than all other types of crowns, these are also not as durable, they wear down over time and are more prone to fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. They are usually only used as temporary crowns.

Procedure

1. Take x-ray of tooth to check tooth roots and to evaluate the surrounding bone level
2. Numb area around the tooth using local anesthetic
3. Re-contour tooth to prepare it to receive the crown
4. Take tooth Impression
5. Select tooth color shade to match
6. Attach temporary crown on the prepared tooth
7. Fabricate crown
8. Fix-in permanent crown and make necessary adjustment, if needed

Bridge

Bridge is a restorative dental procedure used to replace 2 or more missing teeth using adjacent teeth as supporting or abutment for the crowns or pontic or when this option is not possible, implant is used as abutments. These are excellent alternative to using partial denture.

Benefits

Restoring oral functionality is the most important benefit in getting bridge done to replace missing teeth. This will provide support to other teeth and avoiding unusual stress placed on the gums and other oral tissues, and prevent the development of gum disease and a number of other potentially harmful disorders.

Appearance is another benefit in getting bridge done is to retain the normal shape of lips and cheeks. Missing teeth may cause mouth to sink and your face to look older. Missing teeth can also affect speech and proper enunciation.