Crowns and Bridges
The jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body, so your teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. When a tooth is severely weakened by decay, fractures, or a large filling, a crown is needed to restore that tooth.
Bridges are used to replace a missing tooth. The process is very similar to a crown, but involves two or more teeth instead of just one. It is very important to replace a tooth as soon as it is lost. Your teeth will begin to shift into the new space. This can lead to a whole series of other problems, including joint pain, bite problems, periodontal disease, and further tooth loss.
Reasons for Crowns and Bridges
- Large area of decay
- Decay through a previous filling
- Fracture
- Previous root canal therapy performed
What Happens During a Crowns and/or Bridge Appointment?
A crown is cemented over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. At the first appointment, any decay and any previous restoration is removed from the tooth and it is shaped for the crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating the permanent crown. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory to fabricate the crown. The temporary crown will be placed on your tooth to protect it between appointments. In the second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is cemented in place.
