CROWNS & DENTAL BRIDGE

(Indirect Restorations)

Indirect restorations are fixed prosthesis, which are permanently cemented to existing teeth. They can either cover a single tooth in case of a crown or replace missing teeth with a bridge. Dental crowns, dental bridges and veneers are classified as cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry is the portion that deals with improving appearance, enhancing a smile, through dental procedures.

Dental Crowns

What is a crown?

-Also searched under tooth crown or teeth crowns.

-it is a cap that is placed on a tooth that is weakened  

-tooth can be weaken by:

         a large cavity

         an opening that was made during root canal treatment

         defects within the structure of the tooth 

         fracture of a tooth   

A crown is permanently cemented on to provide ideal esthetics and function

Purpose:

-replace missing tooth structure

-improve esthetic appearance by covering the tooth remains all the way to the gum line

-provide a good seal for a root canal treated tooth

-avoid that sunken-in appearance caused by missing teeth usually present in the older population

-stabilizes that area of the dental arch to give you a more youthful appearance

Crowns are crafted and designed to perfectly fit and blend with your natural teeth.  

    -shade selection allows an ideal esthetic result

    -the shape is matched to surrounding teeth which makes the cemented crown seem as a natural unaffected tooth

Cost of a dental crown:

Dental crown cost can vary greatly across the country. Prices can range from about $500 to as much as $1800. Dental crown prices are higher than cost of a filling for several reasons:

A dental crown is considered a long-term restoration (life span of about 10-20 years. Although the length of time that a crown will last is dependant upon several factors, which include quality and quantity of oral hygiene (how often and how well teeth are brushed and flossed), caries rate (how many and how often cavities form), how precisely the crown fits on the tooth, and the area in the mouth where the crown is fabricated (anterior teeth are usually easier to maintain than back teeth).

Several factors can determine cost. A dental crown fabricated by a general dentist will on average cost less than a crown fabricated by a prosthodontist. The cost of a crown can also depend on which part of the country you live in, on type of materials used, experience of the lab technician who will be fabricating the dental crown and the time spent fabricating it.

Flossing around crowns and bridge work is the best method of keeping healthy gums and teeth. Floss disrupts build-up of plaque which contains problem causing bacteria. It is recommended to floss at least once a day.

Keeping the area under bridge work as well as under orthodontic wires(braces)clean is also very important. Since it is almost impossible to slide the floss through using superfluous allows for access to hard to clean areas.

Another great dental aid is the floss threader. It serves the same function as superfluous. You tread the plastic floss holder with floss and use it to transfer floss under bridgework and orthodontic wire.

Dental Bridge

What is a dental bridge?

   -it is a prosthesis designed to replace missing tooth or teeth

Purpose:

-replacing missing teeth with a fix prosthesis (not removable)

-provide an esthetic appearance  

-improve the integrity of the dental arch (this will allow for improved chewing abilities)

-avoid that sunken cheek appearance caused by missing teeth usually present in the older population 

-stabilizes that area of the dental arch to give you a more youthful appearance

- A bridge is permanently cemented on to provide ideal esthetics and function

Types of bridges ( Fixed Partial Dentures):

-all metal (usually yellow gold)

   -rarely done today, great fit, unesthetic, strong and durable

-porcelain fused to metal

   -commonly fabricated

   -provides an excellent fit like a metal crown with porcelain layer to provide with esthetic result

   -porcelain can fracture under certain conditions (usually insufficient thickness or excessive thickness)

    -the prosthesis can black out a discolored teeth with the metal portion while still providing an esthetic           appearance 

-all porcelain

   -with the latest techniques the all porcelain bridgework can be fabricated

     -made from very strong type of porcelain that can withstand the stress of chewing forces

    -masking discolored teeth is easier today with latest technique in an all porcelain prosthesis  

-very esthetic result

    -porcelain can fracture due to various reasons: 

          grinding

         chewing on things (pencil, pipe, ice)

         microscopic defects in the structure 

         incorrect thickness of porcelain

        interference during jaw movement

Maintaining good oral health:

How to keep the bridgework clean?

Obtaining a restoration such as a crown or a bridge means maintaining excellent home care. Brushing at least twicw a day and flossing at least once. Plaque and bacteria are more prone to collecting on a tooth that has a crown or a bridge then natural teeth.

Floss Threader and Superfloss:

    -Several floss aids are used for areas that cannot be reached with regular floss. See upper right.  

Cost of a dental bridge:

Just like the cost of a dental crown vary greatly across the country, it is true for a bridge as well. The number of units that the prosthesis is made out of determines the cost of a dental bridge. Each unit represents one crown. It could be a true crown that is cemented to a tooth or a false crown that sits on the tissue. For example, if there is one tooth missing a three-unit bridge is necessary to provide good support to the false tooth. Two crowns cemented to healthy teeth on either side and a false tooth in the middle. In this case the cost would be whatever the cost of a crown is times three. To see the price ranges of a crown please see cost of a dental crown.

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