Bridges and Crowns

Cosmetic Dentistry in Oklahoma

Restoration

Bridges and Crowns, also known as restorative dentistry, can correct:

• Missing teeth
• Bite dysfunction
• Functional or structural problems

With a crown, a single damaged tooth is restored to its original form and function, and with a bridge, one or more teeth are restored. The crowns and bridges are cemented on, and are known as "fixed" dentistry, as opposed to the use of removable appliances or partial dentures.

Bridges

When a tooth is missing, the neighboring teeth can drift out of position, and that can cause:

• A change in your bite
• Loss of additional teeth
• Decay of the remaining teeth
• Gum disease

If you've lost one or more teeth, Dr. Duncan may recommend a bridge .

A bridge is a group of interconnected crowns, which replace the missing teeth and support the surrounding teeth. When it's held in place by two crowns, a bridge can:

• Lower the risk of gum disease
• Help correct any bite misalignment
• Improve clarity of speech

When done by a fully qualified cosmetic dentist, bridges are effective and durable, and can last over 10 years.

How is a bridge constructed?

• Dr. Duncan will first reshape the targeted teeth so they can accommodate the crowns
• Then he'll take impressions of those teeth, and from the impressions, the crowns will be made
• When the crowns are ready, the porcelain tooth or teeth will be bonded to them
• A temporary bridge will be inserted, giving you a feel of how the final bridgework will modify your mouth
• A couple of weeks later, the temporary bridge will be removed and the permanent one inserted, adjusted and cemented into place.

After the bridge is cemented, you can again enjoy your favorite foods with confidence.

Bridges enable us to avoid that sunken look that's caused by missing teeth, and by stabilizing that area they give us a more youthful appearance. We can smile with confidence again.

Crowns

A crown is a prosthetic placed over an existing tooth to create a smoother, cleaner look and to increase the strength and durability of that tooth. It's the same size and shape as the natural tooth.

They're a good option if you have damage or decay that's so extensive that filling materials can't keep the tooth strong enough.

The crown not only restores the appearance of your teeth, but can also affect the muscles in your face. So it will help to keep your jaw and bite properly aligned and will prevent other teeth from shifting or taking on a too-large share of the work of biting and chewing.

A crown may be recommended when a tooth:

• Is fractured
• Has an outdated filling
• Is severely damaged by decay

Types of crowns

Crowns can be made from different materials:

• Full porcelain
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• All-metal crown

Crown Technology

Crown technology has much improved over the years, and if you have any older crowns, Dr. Duncan can replace them with new, more real-looking ones. Today's well-constructed crowns look and function like natural teeth.

When crowns are made of porcelain, they're carefully matched in color to your other teeth, so they can't be recognized as being crowns.

The biggest benefit is the all porcelain crowns are much less likely to create periodontal infections and cause gum recession. They are a better technology than conventional metal crowns.

• Many people prefer porcelain crowns because of their cosmetically pleasing appearance.
• New materials are now available that in some cases allow the use of "all-ceramic" crowns.

As an alternative to porcelain, crowns are sometimes made of gold and sometimes of stainless steel.

• Some people would rather not have gold crowns, because they stand out from the other teeth in appearance.
• But if the crown is on a back molar, others feel the cosmetic issue isn't a big one.

If a crown is recommended for you, Dr. Duncan will discuss the types of materials available and together you can arrive at the best course of action.

Protecting your crown

Once your crown is in place, it needs to be cared for, just as natural teeth do. In particular, the base of the crown needs careful cleaning to prevent bacterial growth and gum disease from starting underneath the crown.

Regular brushing and flossing will keep your crown in place for years to come.

If you're considering restorative dentistry such as crowns and bridges in the Oklahoma City area, please call or e-mail us today.