Using Dental Crowns and Bridges for Various Tooth Problems
No matter how well taken care of your teeth are, lifetime use will eventually take its toll on them. Dental crowns and bridges are an ideal replacement for those who have permanently lost their natural teeth or those that have unhealthy-looking or decaying teeth because of accidents or various medical and dental issues.
They are popular since they can be easily installed at your general dentist's practice and are relatively affordable. Below is some useful information if you're considering dental bridges to fix various tooth problems.
What are dental crowns and bridges?
Dental bridges are fixed dental appliances which are made to hold dental crowns in place. A dental bridge consists of metal implants which mimic the structure of the tooth roots, with a brace on top of the implants to which the dental crowns will be connected. The crown is the top portion of the bridge which resembles real teeth and fills out space left when a tooth is lost.
Dental bridges come in several types, with some being temporary and others being permanent. For the latter, you can get conventional bridges with porcelain dental crowns fixed at your local general dentistry practice.
Why use dental crowns and bridges?
Dental bridges are indicated for people suffering from a host of dental issues. Apart from replacing lost teeth, a general dentist may recommend dental crowns and bridges for the following:
- to maintain facial shape and keep the remaining teeth from moving out of place
- to enable proper chewing
- as a simpler alternative to partial dentures
- to protect or hold together weak or cracked teeth
- to make cosmetic modifications, e.g. to badly/permanently discolored teeth
Dental crowns can also be used in pediatric dental care for the following:
- to save teeth that are too weak or damaged to hold fillings
- to protect the teeth of children with poor oral hygiene habits or other conditions that weaken teeth, especially after milk teeth have fallen out
Maintenance of dental bridges
Unlike dentures, which must be taken out by night and cleaned extensively, crowns and bridges do not need any special treatment; they should be cleaned just like you would natural teeth. This means brushing them every morning and evening with strong, anti-cavity toothpaste and flossing in between the crowns on a regular basis.
Dental bridges are designed to be permanent – but they will require maintenance or replacement after a few years, following natural wear-and-tear. Ensure that you schedule regular appointments with your general or family dentist so that comfort, success and progress of your dental crown and bridge installation can be monitored.
Share