At Clarity Dental, we understand that having poor functioning teeth and a smile you’re not confident with can be inhibiting. We believe that one’s quality of life can be significantly enhanced when able to eat, speak and smile with confidence. Dental crowns and bridges are prosthetic devices made from porcelain. Our dentists use these dental crowns to restore damaged teeth or bridge a gap between missing teeth. Dental crowns and bridges can be used as a standalone treatment or as part of a comprehensive smile makeover, to improve the function and appearance of your teeth.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown can strengthen a damaged tooth as well as enhance its appearance. It does this by improving its size, shape, alignment and colour. Depending on your specific case, a crown can be placed over your entire tooth or be used to cap the surface of it. It can also be colour matched to your natural teeth.
Our dentists may use a crown to:
- Strengthen a weak tooth
- Restore a cracked or chipped tooth
- Replace a large dental filling
- Cover a discoloured or misshapen tooth
- Finish off a root canal treatment
- Secure a dental bridge
What to expect when getting a crown
After your initial assessment, you will usually need two appointments to complete the procedure of getting a crown.
The first appointment involves the preparation of your tooth to receive the crown. Your dentist will numb the area to keep you as comfortable as possible. During this appointment, they will also take a scan of your tooth. The scan is sent to the dental lab where they custom make your crown to perfectly fit your tooth.
Your tooth will be protected by a temporary crown until we receive your final one back from the dental lab.
When your permanent crown is ready, you’ll come in for your second and usually final appointment. During this appointment, the temporary crown will be removed and your permanent one will be positioned and cemented into place.
A new crown can take a little getting used to. But within a few days, it should feel like a natural tooth in your mouth.
What is a dental bridge?
If you are missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge may be the right solution for you. It’s important to understand that gaps between your teeth can affect more than just the way you may feel about your smile. They also affect your ability to eat and speak. Additionally, gaps created by missing teeth can result in dental problems like an affected bite and gum disease.
A dental bridge, as the name suggests, bridges the gap left by a missing tooth and is anchored to your surrounding natural teeth. As with crowns, bridges are made of porcelain and can be matched to your natural tooth colour.
What to expect when getting a bridge
The process of getting a bridge normally requires two or three appointments after your initial oral assessment. This will depend on your case.
During your first appointment, your teeth that will be supporting the bridge will be shaped. The area will be numbed for this part of the process, so you can expect to experience minimal discomfort. Your dentist will take a scan of your teeth which the dental lab will use to make your bridge.
You’ll leave your first appointment fitted with a temporary bridge to see you through until your permanent one is ready for fitting.
Your next appointment will involve the fitting of the bridge. Your dentist will make any adjustments required for the perfect fit before securing it into place, leaving you with a natural-looking and functioning finish. As with getting a crown, a new bridge can take a few days to adjust to.
Tips for taking care of dental crowns & bridges
Modern dentistry and prosthetic materials mean that crowns and bridges installed by skilled dentists tend to last a long time. Here are some tips for ensuring the longevity of your crown or bridge:
Maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home that includes daily brushing and flossing
Be cautious when chewing hard foods or ice
Visit your dentist regularly for a dental check-up and clean
Don’t let damaged or missing teeth affect the way you live your life
A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.