Dental crowns, commonly known as ‘caps’ are fixed prostheses that are used to cover a structurally or aesthetically compromised tooth. For instance, a root canal treatment or a horizontal fracture can leave a natural tooth weak and prone to further damage in the mouth.
In order to restore its function and aesthetics, dentists fabricate a crown using porcelain, pure metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia to cover the affected tooth. This cap is fixed in place with the help of a strong dental cement, and thus restores the tooth’s functionality as well as its appearance. Some of the cases in which dental crowns may be indicated or advised, include:
For a crown to be fitted on to a tooth, the tooth is first reshaped or slightly trimmed down to accommodate the cap. Next, an impression is taken to record all the details based on which the fixed prosthetic tooth will be fabricated. When ready, this cap is fixed into place with the help of a dental cement.
While crowns are used to cover and protect damaged/comprised teeth, Dental Bridges are used to replace missing teeth in the mouth. Bridges are frequently used to close the gap of a lost or extracted tooth between two healthy, natural teeth using porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal.
This treatment involves the slight trimming down of one or two natural teeth on either side of the socket. These adjacent teeth act as ‘shoulders’ for the artificial tooth that will be suspended between them to close the gap. Bridges only replace the crown portion of the missing tooth, which is why dentists generally recommend Dental Implants for a better, more permanent solution. Following the preparation of the shouldering teeth, an impression is taken to record the details of the segment. Dental technicians then create the units of the bridge at the laboratory based on the impression and the shade selected. When ready, this bridge is fixed into place with the help of a strong dental cement.
Crowns and bridges are very useful fixed dental prostheses that can help restore dental functionality, as well as the aesthetics of your smile. If you have a tooth that need to be capped, or a missing one that requires replacement – give us a call today and our team of experts will help you choose the treatment that works best for you!
