Dental Crowns and Bridges for Damaged or Missing Teeth
Dental crowns and bridges have been used by dentists for many decades, but that’s truly because they are such effective treatments for damaged or missing teeth. From start to finish, receiving a crown or bridge could take about two weeks to complete. With the right care, they can last for many years.
Crowns
Crowns are made from hard porcelain material which has been greatly strengthened and improved over the years. They are used both to repair and protect damaged teeth. When a tooth has a large filling, it may still be able to survive, but could easily be damaged if you bite into something particularly hard. This tooth can be protected with a clean, white and durable crown.
Crowns are also used to protect a tooth after a root canal, repair a chipped or broken tooth or cover a damaged, darkened tooth.
To prepare your tooth for a crown, it must be trimmed down slightly. Then you will get a temporary crown from one of our dentists to allow you to chew your food until your new crown has been created by the lab.
When the new crown is ready, the temporary crown will be removed. The new crown will be checked for an exact fit. Your bite—the way your upper or lower teeth meet—is also checked to make sure it is exactly right. Then the crown will be cemented into place.
The only care your new crown needs is the same care as your natural teeth: twice-daily brushing, daily flossing and regular visits to our office for cleanings and examinations.
Bridges
Bridges are used as replacements for missing teeth. A bridge is actually made up of two crowns that will fit over healthy teeth and one or two replacement teeth between the crowns.
If you have just had teeth removed, the gum and bone in the area will be allowed to heal first. You’ll then return to the office to prepare two teeth on either side of the gap for crowns. Then an impression will be taken of this part of your mouth so your bridge can be manufactured in our lab.
Just as with a single crown, you’ll return to the office when your bridge is ready. Your new bridge will be tried out and any needed adjustments will be made. When the fit and your bite are perfect, the bridge will be cemented into place.
Care of Your Bridge
There is a small but important difference between caring for a crown and caring for a bridge. You should make sure to clean under a bridge every night without fail. There are special “threaders” that help you slide your floss under a bridge. Keeping the space between your bridge and your gums clean is essential if you are to prolong the useful life of your bridge.
Crowns and bridges both are simple, time-tested and effective methods of protecting or completing a smile. If you are in Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow or any other community near Broadway Cosmetic Dentistry on South Broadway and need help protecting or replacing teeth, please call us so we can help.