Dental Crowns and Bridges- Feel More Natural
Teeth restored or replaced by crowns and bridges will look and feel more like natural teeth than those replaced by a denture. Unlike removable dentures,crowns and bridges are permanently fixed in place. At Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic we believe they are a good long-term restorative option. To rebuild a deteriorating dentition, a complex treatment plan may involve several crowns or a combination of different types of reconstructive treatments.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Cracks in teeth – Teeth are brittle, and sometimes the strong forces of biting can cause cracks in teeth. These cracks are weak spots that can potentially extend deeper and deeper into a tooth eventually causing nerve pain when biting. By placing a crown on the tooth, biting forces are redirected away from the crack site, which reduces the risk of further cracking.
Broken teeth – teeth that have already broken need to be assessed by dentists on whether they can be restored or not. If they can be fixed, a crown is often the best treatment option in the long term, as missing a part of it will likely weaken the tooth.
Large holes or fillings – when teeth have holes in them, their structure becomes compromised, or weakened. Depending on the depth and size of the hole, a crown may be an ideal restoration to re-enforce what is left of the tooth. Similarly, a large may not last very long because fillings rely on holding on to the remaining tooth. The larger the filling the less remaining tooth there is. A crown will cover the filling and tooth completely, protecting both in the long term and reducing the chance of the filling or tooth breaking.
Missing teeth and dental bridges – Missing teeth can be replaced by a dental bridge, which involves placing crowns on the teeth adjacent to the space. These crowns will then hold a tooth that is suspended in the space, creating a dental bridge. This is a common method of replacing missing teeth in the long term, to improve aesthetics, as well as function.
Cosmetic correction – Crowns can be placed instead of veneers where there is not enough tooth left. They are the most cosmetic solution available for very broken front teeth. Crowns can be described as double veneers. A veneer covers only the front surface of the tooth, where as a crown (like a helmet) covers the entire tooth, which adds to its strength and retentiveness.
What’s Involved in the Construction of a Dental Crown and/or Bridge?
In order for crowns and bridges to restore teeth or dental implants, they need to be custom designed, constructed and then fitted to your mouth at our Chinook Mall Dentist Office. Molds or impressions of the mouth are required after teeth are prepared, or special impression connectors are secured on to dental implant fittings. Models made from these impressions then allow ceramic dental technicians to custom make your dental reconstructions.
The alignment of your bite and tooth colour choices need to be accurately reproduced for best results. This is a very precise, highly technical and artistic process. At least 2-3 appointments may be required for these types of treatments.
Gum tissue deficiencies or unusual tooth wear and jaw alignments may make the achievement of natural looking aesthetics and treatment stability very challenging. In certain circumstances, referral to a specialist Prosthodontist, may be advised to achieve the best treatment outcomes for complex cases.
Taking good care of your oral health will make your crowns and bridges long term restorations. Regular dental check-up visits with Dr. Charchuk will also maintain the longevity of your crowns and bridges. Contact our team today for more information on restoring your smile!
