Crowns and Bridges
Dental Crowns / Caps
Crowns (also referred to as caps) are dental restorations that surround the prepared tooth structure to help strengthen weakened teeth that have been cracked, broken or decayed. Dentists also use crowns to help restore a tooth's shape and improve chewing function, speech, and esthetics. These crowns are made from various types of materials which get bonded or cemented into place. Crowns can be made out of porcelain (or some form of dental ceramic), metal (gold or other high noble metal alloy), or a combination of both. Since these crowns cover the entire visible portion of the tooth, from the gum level up, they, in essence, become your tooth's visible surface.
Trucare Dentistry is highly experienced in restoring beautiful and healthy smile with the help of most advanced technologies such as digital scanner, Cerec in office crown milling machine. Dr.Toral works with the best dental labs to achieve highest quality results for aesthetic cases keeping our patient's expectations in mind.
Frequently asked questions about crowns and caps
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When do I need a crown?
A crown can help strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining to hold the filling.
Crown is necessary for most teeth after getting Root Canal Treatment to strengthen the tooth.
Protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that's already broken.
A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped.
It's also used to cover a dental implant or can also be used to attach bridges.
Please call us if you have any concerns or needs us to evaluate your teeth for any concerns.
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All-Porcelain or Zirconia CrownPorcelain or all ceramic crowns are chosen when esthetics is of paramount importance. These materials can have different shades of porcelain layered together to create a very polychromatic, natural looking tooth with natural translucencies and characteristics that blend better with the teeth surrounding them. Once the metal is involved, the dental lab technician would have to place a white opaque material over the metal to try and block out the dark characteristics. As a result of the metal and opaque, the light doesn't get reflected and absorbed as naturally as with a porcelain crown, resulting in a more monochromatic, less natural looking tooth. You can still have good esthetics with porcelain-fused- to- metal crowns, but it may require more tooth preparation to allow for more room for the layering of the porcelain to mask what is underneath. When the patient is a grinder, or requires more strength and stability, it may be recommended to choose a crown that is reinforced with metal, although there are new materials now that are very strong that do not contain any metals (such as Zirconia and Procera crowns).
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How long do crowns last?On average, crowns last between 5 and 15 years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of "wear and tear" the crown is exposed to. How well you follow good oral hygiene practices, and your personal mouth-related habits (you should avoid such habits as grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing ice, biting fingernails, and using your teeth to open packaging).
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Does a crowned tooth require special care?While a crowned tooth does not require any special care, remember that simply because a tooth is crowned does not mean the tooth is protected from decay or gum disease. Therefore, continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily -especially around the crown area where the gum meets the tooth is important.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge covers or "bridges" the gap between missing teeth. After you lose a tooth, your dentist may suggest that you get a bridge. A bridge can keep your other teeth from moving out of place. Once a bridge is placed, it works just like your natural teeth.
What is a better option to replace a missing tooth, Implant or a bridge?
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Advantages of a bridge
It is easier and quicker to get a dental bridge. The entire procedure will visit in approximately two to three visits to your dentists.
A dental bridge is recommended in the case of significant jaw bone loss or weaker bone which is not able to support the implant.
Dental bridges are generally less expensive option then implants for the replacement of missing teeth.
Knowing these factors will help you make an informed decision about dental implants and bridges. If you have any other questions, please call our office to make an appointment.
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Advantages of implant over bridge
One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is that they protect the other teeth. In the case of a dental bridge, the adjacent natural teeth have to perform the function of support. The implant is not putting any strain on other teeth.
Another great advantage of implants is that they can be used to replace more than one missing natural tooth. In the case of a bridge, a dentist will need adjacent healthy teeth for support. Various combinations are possible in the case of implants. The dentist can replace a single missing tooth or a denture.
Implants require little maintenance. This is one of the biggest differences between this option and dental bridges. High-quality implants can last a lifetime.
If you are considering implants, you should take into consideration another important advantage - implants are easier to maintain. The cleaning process is very simple, and flossing between implants is possible.