Crowns and bridges

Crowns

Crowns or “caps” are restorations fabricated in the dental laboratory which restore the shape, contours, and colour of broken down or worn teeth. They can be conservative or more invasive, depending on the clinical situation and will usually necessitate some grinding of part of your tooth, in order to accommodate for space for materials, as well as to satisfy mechanical needs. Various materials may be used for crown fabrication: Metals, porcelain, composite, or a combination of the above. Crowns may be made either on natural teeth or dental implants.

Conventional bridges

Bridges are made when a number of teeth are missing. A bridge consists of two or more crowns, which are placed on your natural teeth on either side of the space, with a one or more false teeth in the middle. In order to construct a conventional tooth bridge the natural teeth on either side of the space may have to be reduced in their size (or cut down) to remove all the enamel, making room for the crowns to fit on top, although there are many designs that may be more conservative to your teeth. These crowns are permanently attached to a false tooth in the centre and they cannot be removed. Bridges are made of metals, porcelain, composite, or a combination of the above.

The limitation of this form of treatment has to do with the irreversible preparation of the adjacent (abutment) teeth for support. The more invasive reductions may expose them to the risk of trauma to their nerves, raising the risk of requiring root canal treatment. Long-term, fixed bridges between natural teeth have an average life expectancy of 10-15 years before requiring replacement. There are ways to construct more conservative bridges in some specific cases. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants.

How can I maintain the results?

Crowns and bridges require good oral hygiene and maintenance in order to last long Knowing how to modify your oral hygiene habits to best care for your restorations will help you maintain your new smile for years to come:

Brush two to three times each day for maximum effectiveness, always after you eat.
Flossing is a key factor in removing debris and plaque from the teeth, and actually increases the lifespan of restorations and helps prevent tooth decay.
You may have been prescribed to use fluoride as a mouth wash or gel, if you have been diagnosed as having a high risk for future decay. Avoid foods high in sugar and limit between-meal snacks to prevent cavities.
Limit consumption of coffee, soda, tea, etc. to keep your smile stain free.
Refrain from biting and/or chewing hard objects such as pens, staples, metal, bottle caps, etc.
If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism) and will be fitted with a hard clear acrylic night guard to prevent damage to your teeth and restorations; please wear it when you sleep in order to minimize the risk of mechanical damage such as chipping of porcelain or fracture of teeth.
Finally, be sure to regularly attend your review and hygiene appointments.

Please see the cases below and the iSmile gallery for stories of patients who regained their confidence in smiling back! You may arrange for a consultation appointment so we can plan your new smile together.