Crowns, sometimes called “caps” are used to restore damaged teeth back to function and esthetics. Crowns may be used to protect cracked teeth from further damage, restore teeth whose strength has been compromised with excessive decay or protect teeth that have been root canal treated. Like a cast which protects and holds the fractured segments of a broken arm in place, the purpose of a crown is to enclose the tooth, hold the remaining tooth structure in place and protect it from further damage. The difference being, the crown is not a short term remedy.
During the procedure the tooth is prepared to create space for the crown to fit, a mould (impression) is made of the tooth and the impression sent to the dental lab for fabrication of the crown.
Crowns are made of three primary restorative materials:
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)
- All porcelain
- Gold
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
These provide a strong durable esthetic option for our patients. The porcelain layer gives the esthetic appeal while the metal substructure provides a positive seal and strength to the crown
All porcelain crowns
With the elimination of the metal substructure, these crowns have more life-like esthetic properties than the PFM crowns. Caution should be used when considering all porcelain crowns in heavy chewing areas.
Gold crowns
Although not a popular choice by our patients, gold crowns are still indicated for many patients who grind and clench their teeth and have symptoms consistent with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD). Gold crowns are also indicated for our patients with strong bites and therefore risk fracturing porcelain crowns. Gold crowns require less tooth preparation than all porcelain and PFM crowns. Gold is also less abrasive to the opposing tooth structure than is porcelain and therefore helps to prevent wearing down of teeth during clenching and grinding.
Bridges
Like dentures and implants, bridges are an alternative treatment option for missing teeth. Once placed, the bridge cannot be removed by the patient.
One or more missing teeth can affect the function of your teeth as well as ruin one appearance. Missing teeth allow the other teeth to shift and drift. This may result in changes in your bite (occlusion), changes in your speech, increase the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay and may lead to TMJD.
Preparing the area of the missing tooth for a bridge requires preparation of each tooth on either side of the space for a crown. Once prepared, an impression is made and sent to the dental lab for fabrication of the bridge. Like a crown, while the bridge is being made by the technician, a temporary bridge is made to hold the teeth in the same position and protect them form injury.
Again a the crown, the final step of completion of the bridge requires a second appointment during which the bridge is adjusted to your occlusion and comfort and cemented or adhesively bonded to the supporting teeth.
Tooth replacement is essential to maintaining the integrity of your occlusion and beauty of your smile. Contact us now at (916) 393-1363/(916) 774-1113 or e-mail us for an appointment.