WHAT IS A CROWN?
A crown is a restoration that covers (or “caps”) a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, which can strengthen and improve the appearance of the tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth has been damaged significantly and cannot be adequately restored with a filling. A crown can protect a weak tooth from fracturing; it also can prevent a cracked tooth from further damage. Crowns can cover discolored or misshapen teeth for more aesthetically pleasing smiles.
WHAT STEPS ARE INVOLVED IN PREPARING A TOOTH FOR A CROWN?
At the first visit, Dr. Kamodia may take a few X-rays to check the roots of the tooth receiving the crown and surrounding bone. If the tooth has extensive decay or if there is a risk of infection or injury to the tooth’s pulp, a root canal treatment may first be performed.
Before the process of making your crown is begun, Dr. Kamodia will anesthetize (numb) your tooth and the gum tissue around the tooth. Next, the tooth receiving the crown is filed down along the chewing surface and sides to make room for the crown. The amount removed depends on the type of crown used (for instance, all-metal crowns are thinner, requiring less tooth structure removal than all-porcelain or porcelain-fused- to-metal ones). If, on the other hand, a large area of the tooth is missing (due to decay or damage), Dr. Kamodia will use filling material to “build up” the tooth to support the crown.
After reshaping the tooth, Dr. Kamodia will use impression paste or putty to make an impression of the tooth to receive the crown. Impressions of the teeth above and below the tooth to receive the dental crown will also be made to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the crown will be manufactured. The crown is usually returned to our office in 2 weeks.
If your crown is made of porcelain, Dr. Kamodia will also select the shade that most closely matches the color of the neighboring teeth. During this first office visit Dr. Kamodia will make a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made. Temporary crowns usually are made of acrylic and are held in place using a temporary cement.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY TEMPORARY DENTAL CROWN?
Because temporary dental crowns are just that – a temporary fix until a permanent crown is ready, Dr. Kamodia will suggest a few precautions with your temporary crown. These include:
Avoid sticky, chewy foods (for example, chewing gum, caramel), which have the potential of grabbing and pulling off the crown. Minimize use of the side of your mouth with the temporary crown. Shift the bulk of your chewing to the other side of your mouth. Avoid chewing hard foods (such as raw vegetables), which could dislodge or break the crown. Slide flossing material out-rather than lifting out-when cleaning your teeth. Lifting the floss out, as you normally would, might pull off the temporary crown.
WHAT PROBLEMS COULD DEVELOP WITH A DENTAL CROWN?
- Discomfort or sensitivity. Your newly crowned tooth may be sensitive immediately after the procedure as the anesthesia begins to wear off. If the tooth that has been crowned still has a nerve in it, you may experience some heat and cold sensitivity. Dr. Kamodia may recommend that you brush your teeth with toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Pain or sensitivity that occurs when you bite down usually means that the crown is too high on the tooth. If this is the case, give our office a call. We can easily correct this problem.
- Chipped crown. Crowns made of all porcelain can sometimes chip. If the chip is small, a composite resin can be used to repair the chip with the crown remaining in your mouth. If the chipping is extensive, the crown may need to be replaced.
- Loose crown. Sometimes the cement washes out from under the crown. Not only does this allow the crown to become loose, it allows bacteria to leak in and cause decay to the tooth that remains. If your crown feels loose, contact our office.
- Crown falls off. Sometimes crowns fall off. Usually this is due to an improper fit or a lack of cement. If this happens, clean the crown and the front of your tooth. You can replace the crown temporarily using dental adhesive or temporary tooth cement that is sold in stores for this purpose. Contact your our office immediately. We can give you specific instructions on how to care for your tooth and crown for the day or so until you can be seen for an evaluation. Dr. Kamodia may be able to re-cement your crown in place; if not, a new crown will need to be made.
- Allergic reaction. Because the metals used to make crowns are usually a mixture of metals, an allergic reaction to the metals or porcelain used in crowns can occur, but this is extremely rare.
- Dark line on crowned tooth next to the gum line. A dark line next to the gum line of your crowned tooth is normal, particularly if you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This dark line is simply the metal of the crown showing through.
HOW LONG DO DENTAL CROWNS LAST?
On average, dental crowns last between 5 and 15 years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of “wear and tear” the crown is exposed to, how well you follow good oral hygiene practices, and your personal mouth-related habits (you should avoid such habits as grinding or clenching your teeth, chewing ice, biting your fingernails and using your teeth to open packaging).
DOES A CROWNED TOOTH REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL CARE?
While a crowned tooth does not require any special care, remember that simply because a tooth is crowned does not mean the underlying tooth is protected from decay or gum disease. Therefore, continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day-especially around the crown area where the gum meets the tooth.
WHAT IS A BRIDGE?
A fixed bridge is a dental appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth—thus “bridging” the space between the two adjacent natural teeth or implants. Bridges are made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
A traditional fixed bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth fused between two crowns, or caps, that are cemented on the surrounding, or abutment, teeth.
An implant bridge is fastened to two or more implants that are submerged in the bone tissue.
Bridges are sometimes called “fixed partial dentures.” However, unlike removable partial dentures, bridges cannot be removed by the patient.
WHY SHOULD I GET A BRIDGE?
If you are missing any teeth, the resulting space could cause speech or chewing problems. Missing teeth also can cause your remaining teeth to move out of position. This repositioning can make you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease, which can cause further tooth loss. A fixed bridge can replace those missing teeth, correcting your bite, and improving your chewing and speech abilities. A bridge also can help to maintain the natural shape of your face.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL TREATMENT TIME?
There are several steps required and several dental visits needed in order for Dr. Kamodia to create a bridge that meets both your functional and esthetic needs. The total treatment time for a bridge is usually two to four weeks, depending on the type of bridge you receive.
HOW DO I CARE FOR A BRIDGE?
The success of a bridge depends on its foundation—the abutment teeth or implants—so it’s vital for patients with bridges to maintain their oral health. If you have a bridge, it’s more important than ever to brush for two minutes, twice a day and to see Dr. Kamodia every six months. We may also recommend that you use floss threaders to reach the spaces between the bridge and the adjacent teeth and gums. With proper care, your fixed bridge should last as long as eight to 10 years, or even longer.
To learn more about bridges and to determine if a bridge is right for you, give our office a call today.