Sometimes called cap, it is an artificial restoration that covers the remaining part of a prepared tooth making it strong and natural looking
Why would I need a crown?
If you are visiting for a checkup, we will be as thorough as possible when reviewing your oral structures and dental/medical history. Our goal is to become familiar with your unique health and what your smile needs to thrive before making personalized treatment recommendations. If we are performing a procedure instead, we will get this process started immediately while helping you feel comfortable and at ease. After your visit is complete, the dental assistant will escort you back to the front desk for checkout.
Crowns are made of a variety of materials including the following;
The dentist will shave the tooth requiring the crown. The amount removed will be the same as the thickness of the crown after which the dentist will take a mold of the prepared tooth and the along with the relevant instruction the mold will be sent to a dental technician for the fabrication of the dental crown.
It will require two visits. At the first visit the dentist will prepare the tooth, take impressions and send the impression (mold) to the dental technician for the fabrication of the dental crown. At the second visit, the dentist will fit the crown onto the prepared tooth with the use a dental adhesive or cement.
Keep the crown clean as you would your other teeth. Although the crown itself does not decay, decay can start at the place where the crown and the tooth meet. It is important to brush last thing at night before going to bed and also in the morning. Brush for at least 2 minutes using a tooth paste that contains fluoride. You should do well to clean in between the teeth by means of flossing at least once a day.
A properly cared for crown can last for a very long time between 10 to 15 years after which you may need it replaced.
A dental prosthesis is an artificial device that is used to replace or augment an intra oral (inside the mouth) defect such as missing teeth, part of missing teeth and missing soft or hard structure of the jaw and palate. Dental prosthesis is used for cosmetic and functional reasons. They can be fixed permanently or removable.
Fixed dental prosthesis
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth (Pontic) that is held in place by abutment teeth on either side of the missing tooth (the natural teeth that supports the artificial tooth. They are fixed by the dentist using dental adhesive material unto the prepared teeth before and after the missing one. The replacement tooth or teeth are called Pontic while the teeth that supports the replacement ones are called abutment. They are very functional and aesthetic and are of different types they are made of a variety of materials such as gold, porcelain or dental ceramics but porcelain and the all ceramic materials are preferred because they blend in well with your natural teeth.
Types of dental bridges
Why would I need a dental bridge?