Dental Crowns and Bridges Olympia Fields, IL
Bridges
Dental bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.
Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures because they are semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants. There are several types of fixed dental bridges (cannot be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, and resin-bonded bridges. Unlike a removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, your dentist can only remove a fixed bridge.
Porcelain, gold alloys, or combinations of materials are usually used to make bridge appliances.
Appliances called implant bridges are attached to an area below the gum tissue or the bone.
Dental Bridge Process
When you come into our Olympia Fields, IL dentist office to get a bridge, we will first need to examine your smile and make sure your mouth is healthy enough for treatment. Next, we will need to prepare the two natural teeth on each side of the gap so that they are ready for a crown. These teeth are shaved down to make room for the crown.
Then, we will take impressions of your teeth and a dental laboratory will take these impressions and make your custom dental bridge to fit your mouth. In the meantime, a temporary bridge will be worn until your permanent one is ready.
During your next visit, the temporary bridge will be removed and the permanent bridge will be fitted and adjusted. It may take a couple visits to make sure that the bridge fits properly and that your bite isn’t affected. Once we have determined that your bridge is a good fit, it will be cemented into place.
Crowns
Dental crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal.
When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, dental crowns are often used to restore
the tooth.
Crowns are also used with bridges, to cover implants, to prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse, or an existing filling that is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated. Dental crowns also serve an aesthetic use and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.
Procedure For Crowns
Crowns are sometimes confused with veneers, but they are quite different. Veneers are typically applied only to relatively small areas.
Caring For Your Crowns
With proper care, a good quality crown could last up to eight years or longer. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration.
Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a crown. Moreover, eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion of the crown, or even damage the crown.