Blog

Dentures are commonly used to fix a variety of dental problems. However, crowns and bridges may also be useful. Unlike dentures, they’re permanently cemented onto implants or existing teeth. You won’t be able to remove them unless you go back to the dentist either.

Crowns can be used for many reasons. Teeth that are weak or already fractured can be covered with a crown. They can also be used after a root canal treatment, dental implant, or to cover up discolored teeth.

Crowns also also be made from a wide variety of materials. They are usually made from ceramic or porcelain. However, metal alloys or gold can also be used. Metal offers more strength, but ceramic and porcelain can be colored to match your natural teeth. Sometimes, metal is surrounded by porcelain to give the best of both worlds.

If crowns aren’t suitable for your situation, then a bridge may be necessary. It’s used to replace one or more teeth that are missing. Like crowns, they are cemented to remaining natural teeth or implants that have been put in.

There are three types of dental bridges that you can get. The most common type are the traditional variety in which a crown or implant will have to be put in beside the missing tooth. If there aren’t natural teeth on both sides of the missing tooth, then a cantilever bridge can be used. A resin-bonded bridge use a metal framework consisting of plastic teeth and gums that is attached to your natural teeth.

As with crowns, bridges can be made of various materials too. The type of material you need will depend on the location of the missing tooth or teeth as well as aesthetic reasons. Ceramic and porcelain offer a better match for your existing teeth, but metal offers more strength.

In order to get a crown or bridge, your dentist will need to reduce the size of your teeth. This is to ensure that the crown or bridge can fit properly over them. After this, a dental impression will be made and sent to a dental laboratory.

While your crown or bridge is being made in the lab, you will be fitted with a temporary crown or bridge. Whenever your permanent one is ready, the temporary one will be removed and replaced with the permanent design.

You may experience problems with your bridge if you don’t practice good oral hygiene. The bridge requires support from the teeth or bone designed to keep it stable. If they are damaged by disease or some other reason, the bridge may come loose.