Crown and Bridgework

Crowns

Crowns are a customised tooth-shaped cap that cover a prepared tooth and offers a simple solution for restoring and protecting your teeth. They are placed to restore a tooth’s shape, size and contours when there is insufficient tooth remaining as well as creating a beautiful natural-looking smile.

They provide additional strength and are designed to protect the remaining tooth structure due to problems caused by trauma, fracture, wear, discolouration, large fillings, decay or root canal treatment. Crowns can be made from several different materials including metals such as gold, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), zirconia, ceramic or a combination depending on your needs.

Crowns made from metals such as gold are the most long-lasting available. They rarely fracture, and can be designed to cause minimal wear to the opposing teeth. Their main drawback is their distinctive metal colour, and these crowns are therefore best placed in the molar region where they are not easily seen when smiling. Porcelain fused to metal crowns can be colour matched to your natural tooth and are a more popular choice due to their superior aesthetics compared to metal crowns. There is a chance that the porcelain may chip or break and they also cause more wear to opposing teeth than all-metal crowns. Ceramic or porcelain crowns provide the best natural colour match. They are not as strong as metal or porcelain-fused-to metal crowns but still provide superior strength properties compared to composite resins. They are the ideal choice for front teeth where aesthetics is of utmost importance.

If a dental laboratory is required to make the crown, the procedure generally requires two visits. The 1st visit involves preparing the tooth to the desired shape and contours, taking necessary impressions and making a provisional or temporary crown. The 2nd visit involves the placement of the crown onto the tooth.

Experiencing hot and cold sensitivity or discomfort can also occur once the anaesthesia wears off. This is not common but can be completely normal and the new crown may feel a little strange until your tongue, the adjacent and opposing teeth gets use to it. As always, our team will provide you with all the necessary instructions on how to care for your tooth and crown.

As with most restorations, crowns do require maintenance and replacement as they can chip, become loose over time and dislodge. Oral care is important to prevent decay underneath and to avoid developing gum disease around the tooth. Brushing and flossing regularly is important to maintain good oral health and prevent these issues. Depending on the crown material, the wear and tear, and how well it is looked after, you can expect your crown to last between 5 and 15 years.

 

Bridgework

Dental bridges provide a great solution to missing teeth by replacing the gap left behind. It provides functional benefits by improving the ability to chew and speak, distributing the load in your bite better and preventing remaining teeth from moving. Dental bridges can also cosmetically restore your smile as well as maintain volume and shape in your face.

The treatment required to replace a missing tooth varies from patient to patient. The decision to have dental bridge treatment depends on factors including medical and oral health diagnosis, jaw bone density, the position and length of the space, the quality of the remaining teeth and personal choice. 

The three main types of dental Bridges include traditional, cantilever and Maryland bridges. 

Traditional bridges are the most common and are made of either porcelain, fused to metal or zirconia. Here a crown is created for the tooth or implant on either side of the gap with a pontic in between. Cantilever bridges are not generally recommend except in certain circumstances. Instead of using the teeth on both side of the space, cantilever bridges use the adjacent teeth on one side only of the missing tooth or teeth. The best situation for this bridge is when there is a very strong supporting tooth and the space to be filled is relatively small, such as lateral incisors and 2nd premolars. Maryland bridges have metal or porcelain wings protruding from one or both sides of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth with or without minimal preparation to the attached teeth.

SImilar to a crown, a bridge procedure usually involves 2 visits.  At the 1st visit, the teeth next to the space are prepared to allow room for the bridge to be placed over them. Accurate impressions of the prepared teeth will then be taken and sent to a crown and bridge laboratory for fabrication. From here, a dental bridge is made to ensure an accurate fit and colour match. A temporary or provision bridge will be fabricated to wear for 2 to 3 weeks. The 2nd visit involves going through the usual checks and adjustments prior to being seated onto the prepared teeth.

It can be normal to feel some tenderness or sensitivity for a few days after a dental bridge treatment. In the majority of cases, the sensitivity will resolve over time but may need to be reassessed should long term issues arise. All risk factors will be discussed and informed consent obtained prior to commencing treatment.

On average, expect dental bridges to last  between 5 and 15 years. Please remember that this does vary from patient to patient and can depend on how well the bridge is looked after amongst other factors. By practicing good oral hygiene, brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, avoiding hard foods such as ice or hard boiled lollies, routine dental visits for check-ups and professional cleaning will help prolong the life of your dental bridge.