Crown and Bridge

General Information about Crowns and Bridges

When significant amounts of coronal tooth structure is lost due to dental decay or trauma such as a large chip or break, a crown is often the best way to save a tooth and strengthen it. A crown (also known as a cap) fits over the existing natural tooth and replaces the natural crown, the part of the tooth seen above the gums.

Bridges replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of an artificial tooth anchored to the natural teeth on each side of the gap. You can also ask your dentist about implants, which are another way of replacing missing teeth.

Crowns and bridges are usually made of porcelain and gold alloy. Porcelain is strong and stain resistant and can be made to match the colour of your natural teeth. Gold alloy is used for its strength, hardness and durability. Both porcelain and gold alloy are well tolerated by gum and cheek tissue, allergic reactions are rare.

Missing teeth should be replaced for the following reasons:

• To improve your appearance especially towards the front
• To prevent stresses causing damage to other teeth
• To prevent the teeth near the gap shifting
• To maintain the natural bite
• To improve chewing ability and keep you chewing food well into old age.

All general practitioner dentists are qualified to fit crowns and bridges. Appropriate treatment is based on your dental and medical history, x-ray examinations of your teeth and jaws, and an oral examination. Appointment times will vary especially in the event that a tooth may need a root canal filling and perhaps a post, before crown or bridge treatment.

Crowns and bridges should last for many years; however there is no lifetime guarantee. As with natural teeth, it depends on good dental hygiene and oral health. Therefore, regular dental check ups are advisable. Crowns and bridges require flossing and brushing, with extra attention around the margins where decay is more likely. Special devices include floss threaders and “superfloss” is available for cleaning under the bridge.

CEREC Technology

One of the most advanced pieces of dental technology within our practice and one of the most utilised is our CEREC machine. CEREC ceramic restorations are an ideal way to replace amalgam fillings. They are strong because the bonding system used supports the tooth helping to prevent cracked tooth syndrome.  they look fantastic and are superior to using composite (white) filling material.  These restorations can be done in one visit, and are made inhouse with our Cerec system from Germany.  It is very impressive technolgy and Dr Harper has just purchased the latest upgrade with even more features.

Crowns

There may be times when a tooth has succumbed to decay, has needed to undergo root canal therapy or has sustained damage through an accident. Providing strength and restoring your tooth to its former function and appearance can easily be achieved with the placement of a dental crown.

A crown is designed to envelop the damaged tooth providing both strength and protection to the remaining natural tooth structure and can be made from either high quality porcelain, porcelain over metal when additional strength is required. Porcelain is utilised for its tooth-like appearance, which allows for a seamless integration with your surrounding natural teeth.

To ensure your new tooth is comfortable and functional, careful preparation is required. If decay has caused the need for a crown, the first step will involve its complete removal before your tooth is coated with the reflective powder, which enables the computer to create your tooth’s 3D image to be seen on the monitor and sculpted by our CEREC machine. Milling of your new crown will only take approximately 10 minutes.

When your crown is complete, it is checked for comfort and alignment with your surrounding teeth before being permanently bonded to your prepared tooth with specially developed dental cement. This amazing technology allows you to receive your crown in a convenient single appointment and leave our office with a beautiful full smile..  The lastest CEREC upgrade digitally reads the teeth on either side of the tooth to be restored and the opposing tooth in upper or lower arch- it's amazing technology.

Bridges

If you are missing one or several teeth, there are a myriad of associated oral and general health problems that can develop. When you have missing teeth, it is possible for your adjacent teeth to encroach into the vacant space and your opposing teeth to move out of alignment allowing spaces between otherwise perfectly aligned teeth to occur and thereby become crooked and hard to clean effectively. This will significantly increase your risk of developing gum disease and jaw alignment problems which can result in headaches, neck and shoulder pain.

The placement of a dental bridge is still one of the most popular and efficient ways of replacing missing teeth. A bridge is secured by crowns attached to carefully prepared natural teeth on either side of the space and fills the area with a high quality porcelain prosthetic replacement, restoring your smile, confidence and function.

The procedure for a bridge closely resembles that for a single crown. Your supportive teeth, to which the crowns are bonded, are precisely reshaped so when your crowns and bridge is secured in place, they blend seamlessly in size and appearance with your surrounding natural teeth.

Once prepared, a detailed impression mould is made of your teeth and gum-line, this is used as a template from which your replacement bridge is sculpted. While your new bridge is being made at a dental laboratory, a temporary bridge may be worn, this will enable you to retain your full smile appearance.

When your new permanent bridge is complete and returned from the laboratory, your Richmond Fine Dentistry dentist will remove the temporary bridge replacing it with your new bridge so you can have a new healthy, natural looking smile.

Inlays and Onlays

Becoming the most popular and effective restorative procedures for back teeth with minor to moderate decay is an inlay or onlay. Not only are they a functional and strong option, but they are crafted from high quality porcelain, creating a more natural looking smile.

One of the main advantages of choosing an inlay or onlay is they require only a small amount natural tooth structure to be removed, making them a more conservative option than a full crown, which is utilised when there is only minimal remaining tooth structure.

An inlay is a smaller restoration treatment placed within the cusps (bumps) of the chewing surface of your back teeth, where as an onlay is used to restore a larger surface area and may cover one or more tooth cusps.

Having your inlay or onlay placed by Richmond Fine Dentistry can be completed in a single appointment visit utilising our CEREC technology. Firstly, the area surrounding your tooth is numbed with a local anaesthetic so you are completely comfortable and relaxed before the decay is meticulously removed and your tooth cleaned.

The precise fit achieved between the tooth and an inlay or onlay ensures a stronger bond with your natural tooth enamel than an amalgam filling. This also significantly reduces the possibility of decay forming where the tooth and inlay or onlay restoration meets. Your inlay or onlay is checked that it aligns perfectly with your surrounding and opposing teeth, prior to being securely bonded with specially formulated dental adhesive and polished to a natural looking finish.

The long-term success and duration of your new inlay or onlay will depend on your at home oral care routine and attending regular checkup and cleaning appointments with the Richmond Fine Dentistry dental team. When cared for correctly your new restorations can last ten years or more.