What are crowns and why are they used?
A crown is a restoration that covers a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size. Its purpose is to strengthen or improve the appearance of a tooth. A crown is placed for a number of reasons:
- To support a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
- To attach a bridge
- To protect weak teeth from fracturing
- To restore fractured teeth
- To cover badly-shaped or discolored teeth
- To cover a dental implant
Which material is best?
Both the "look" and function of your crowns are considered when choosing the materials most suitable for you. Your dentist will consider the tooth location, the position of the gum tissue, the amount of tooth that shows when you smile, the color or shade of the tooth and the function of the tooth.
Crowns are made from a number of materials. Gold alloys or non precious alloys, porcelain or ceramic, acrylic or composite resin or combinations of these materials may be used. Porcelain attached to a durable metal shell is commonly used because of its strength. Crowns made entirely of porcelain may look better; however, they usually aren't as strong. In the process of making the crown, the porcelain is colored to blend in with your natural teeth.
What exactly is a bridge or fixed partial denture?
A bridge (also called a fixed partial denture) is a restoration which replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost. There are two types of bridges - fixed and removable. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dentist. On the other hand, you can take our a removable bridge for cleaning. Removable bridges, while less expensive, may not be as desirable as fixed bridges and are not generally as stable.
Why do I need a bridge?
Your appearance, dental health and the proper functioning of your mouth are all important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps maintain the natural shape of your face and may help support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink your face to look older.
More importantly, though, your dental health may suffer when teeth are not replaced. Teeth were designed to complement each other. When a tooth is lost, the nearby teeth may tilt toward the empty space, or the teeth in the opposite jaw may move up or down toward the space. This places unusual stress on both the teeth and tissues in your mouth.
Call us today at 724-437-5010 for an evaluation if you would benefit from a crown or bridge, or just want more information.