Dental Crowns and Bridges
Tooth extractions may be necessary when a tooth is severely decayed, damaged, infected, or impacted (unable to erupt properly). The procedure involves numbing the area with local anesthesia, loosening the tooth from its socket, and gently removing it from the mouth. Tooth extractions may be simple (extracting a visible tooth) or surgical (extracting a tooth that is impacted or broken below the gumline).
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are placed over damaged or weakened teeth to restore their strength, shape, and appearance. Crowns are often recommended for teeth that have undergone root canal therapy, have large fillings, or are severely decayed or fractured. Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth (pontics) to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
Dental Crowns:
What They Are:
Dental crowns, also known as caps, are custom-made covers that encase a damaged, weakened, or cosmetically flawed tooth to restore its strength, shape, size, and appearance.
Uses:
Crowns are commonly used to restore teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, have large fillings, are severely decayed or fractured, or are aesthetically compromised.
Procedure:
The process involves preparing the tooth by removing any decay or damaged structure, shaping it to accommodate the crown, and taking impressions for fabrication. The crown is then custom-made in a dental laboratory and permanently cemented onto the tooth by the dentist.
Dental Bridges:
What They Are:
Dental bridges are fixed prosthetic devices used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth (pontics) to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
Types:
Traditional bridges are supported by crowns placed on the adjacent natural teeth (abutments), while implant-supported bridges are anchored to dental implants surgically placed in the jawbone.
Procedure:
The process involves preparing the abutment teeth by removing a portion of their enamel to accommodate the crowns. Impressions are taken, and the bridge is custom-made to fit the gap and match the color and shape of the natural teeth. The bridge is then cemented into place, restoring oral function and aesthetics.
Latest Materials Used:
Zirconia:
Zirconia is a durable and aesthetically pleasing material that has become increasingly popular for dental crowns and bridges. It offers excellent strength, biocompatibility, and natural translucency, making it an ideal choice for both anterior and posterior restorations.
Porcelain-fused-to-Zirconia (PFZ):
PFZ restorations combine the strength of zirconia with the natural appearance of porcelain. The porcelain is bonded to the zirconia substructure, providing enhanced aesthetics and durability.
CAD/CAM Materials:
Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology allows for the precise milling of dental restorations from materials such as lithium disilicate (e.g., IPS e.max®) or hybrid ceramic materials (e.g., Vita Enamic®). These materials offer high strength, excellent esthetics, and biocompatibility.
These latest materials provide dentists with versatile options for fabricating durable, natural-looking dental crowns and bridges that meet the functional and aesthetic needs of their patients.
