Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are more extensive restorations than simple fillings. Unlike a filling, a crown covers an entire tooth above the gum line. A crown is essentially a tooth shaped cap that is permanently cemented to the biological tooth structure to protect what is left of a natural tooth, prevent further damage and build up the tooth to its rightful size and shape.
Not only do crowns have restorative applications, they can be used to enhance the aesthetics of a smile. For instance, patients with misshapen or badly damaged teeth can receive multiple crowns to create a more visually pleasing smile.
Bridges
A bridge is made up of multiple crowns, and instead of being used to cover a tooth, it is used to replace one or more missing teeth. If consecutive teeth are missing, a bridge can be used to replace up to three or four teeth. The crowns cemented together in a bridge will be connected to biological teeth on each side and will fill in the missing gaps of a smile so that a person can eat comfortably and smile confidently.
Why Restorations are Necessary
Dental restorations are necessary for protecting oral health and re-establishing proper oral function. If teeth are affected by a dental injury or tooth decay, they can many times be treated with a simple restoration to prevent further deterioration of tooth structure. Since a tooth cannot regenerate tissue to heal itself like other mineralized structures, restorations are necessary when a tooth develops dental caries or has been cracked or chipped. For instance, a broken bone can heal over time but a tooth cannot.
Once a tooth is damaged and remains unprotected, its condition will only worsen. As more of the tooth deteriorates, its innermost and more sensitive structures, such as the root, will become exposed to oral debris and bacteria. When the root is exposed to bacteria, root canal therapy can become necessary to stop the advancement of the infection and ultimately the development of a painful infection that starts at the root of a tooth (an abscess). If a tooth is beyond repair with restorations or endodontics (root canal treatment), it will need to be extracted, and tooth replacement options will become necessary.
If a damaged or a diseased tooth is treated in time, a dental crown can easily prevent the development of an infected root canal or an abscess.
Materials Used to Make Restorations
Restorations like bridges and crowns are custom made for each individual patient. Our dentists will take photographs and precise impressions of the treatment site to determine the exact specifications required to fabricate a restoration that will fit between existing teeth and inside the mouth. This will ensure that they feel natural and function properly.
Patients also have options for what materials are used to fabricate their crowns or bridges. Common materials include metals like silver or gold or porcelain. Metals are ideal for budget-conscious patients or for replacing teeth at the back of the mouth while porcelain is ideal for those who want a very natural looking restoration. Another popular option is for crowns or bridges to be made of a combination of metal and porcelain where porcelain serves as a natural looking complement to one’s smile without sacrificing the durability of metal.
Our goal is to help our patients achieve optimal oral health even after a dental injury or the onset of common disease which is why Dental Depot is proud to offer high quality, custom restorations like dental crowns and bridges. Through these restorations, we can help members of our community maintain proper oral function and even restore one’s appearance.
We are accepting new patients! If you are in need of a restoration or a checkup or cleaning, call the Dental Depot location nearest you to reserve an appointment.
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