Missing and damaged teeth need to be suitably replaced with prosthetics to regain one’s looks and chewing abilities. When you visit a dental specialist near you with these concerns, you may be advised to get a dental bridge or crown.
What are bridges and crowns?
Bridges and crowns are fixed prosthetics that are attached to teeth or implants and cannot be replaced by anyone other than a dentist. They are made from ceramics, metal alloys, porcelain, or composite resin and coloured to match natural teeth. Crowns caps are used to repair damaged teeth to recover their structure and functions. Bridges, having a pontic and abutments, are cemented to natural teeth or implants in the adjoining empty spaces created by missing teeth to replace them; abutments are crowns covering the adjoining teeth and anchor the pontic, or artificial tooth in the vacant space.
Why should you get bridges and crowns?
Crowns are recommended as replacements for large fillings in cases with insufficient remaining tooth, for preventing weak teeth from fracturing further. They are also used for restoring fractured teeth, for bridge attachments, dental implants, damaged tooth coverage, or coverage of teeth which have undergone root canal treatment. In case you are missing any teeth, you may need a bridge. Adjacent teeth can rotate or shift into unfilled spaces left by missing teeth, causing a bad bite and even gum disease or temporomandibular joint disorders.
How are bridges and crowns inserted?
To get a crown, your first visit to the dental clinic near you will involve investigation and preparation. Your prosthodontist will take an X-ray and impression of the damaged tooth. He will also reduce the tooth’s size, so it doesn’t appear larger than the rest after crown placement. During the next visit, he will place the crown over the tooth.
If you need a bridge, your first visit will involve preparation, similar to that for a crown insertion, and temporary bridge placement. On the second visit, a custom-fitted permanent bridge will be inserted to replace your missing teeth.
What are the complications involved in using bridges and crowns?
Dental bridges and crowns are mostly safe. However, you may experience an allergic reaction to the crown or anaesthesia, crown chipping or loosening, tooth infection in case of tooth or gum decay under a crown, or heat/cold sensitivity in the affected tooth. Bridge failure (breakage/falling out) may occur, and you may experience pain upon chewing for weeks after bridge placement. If these occur, please contact your prosthodontist immediately. Moreover, have a detailed discussion about how to avoid complications before starting your procedure.
Damaged or missing teeth can affect your appearance, chewing, and quality of life. Please consider getting a bridge or crown to restore your bite and smile.
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You may feel pain in those teeth that are ground for crown coverage after the anaesthesia wears off. The gums under these teeth may also swell up and bleed. Recovery may take up to a few weeks. If the pain lasts longer, please speak to your prosthodontist.
To prevent tooth decay under your bridge/crown and maintain its quality, you must keep good oral hygiene. Also, see a dentist twice a year to check the bridge/crown and clean your teeth. Also, maintain a healthy diet as recommended by your prosthodontist.
With good oral hygiene and teh absence of extraneous circumstances, bridges and crowns can last a lifetime.
