Dental | Dental Articles

Damaged teeth and missing teeth not only make a person’s smile less attractive, they can also be the root cause of further dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease and bone loss. It can also be difficult for people to eat and speak properly when one or more teeth are damaged or missing. All of this can make a person self-conscious about his or her smile and lead to low self-esteem.

These are just a few of the many reasons why it is of the utmost importance to visit a dentist who is skilled at tooth restoration as quickly as possible to have the problem teeth corrected. Cosmetic dentists can assess a patient’s dental situation and recommend the most effective course of action.

Dental crowns and dental bridges are two techniques utilized by cosmetic dentists to help improve patients’ smiles. The decision between which technique to implement depends on the patient’s own unique situation.

• Dental crowns: Used to correct damaged teeth
• Dental bridges: Used to fill in the gaps of missing teeth

Dental Crowns

Think of dental crowns as specially-designed protective covers to help fix teeth that are:

• Chipped or cracked
• Broken
• Decayed
• Weak or brittle
• Worn down
• Misshapen
• Severely discolored

Dental crowns can also act as anchors for dental bridges.

Dental crowns can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal or resin. Porcelain crowns are the most popular option today because they are extremely durable and stain-resistant. They can also be made to match the patient’s natural tooth enamel color, so they look very natural.

In this process, the damaged tooth is either filed down slightly or built up to receive the crown. The dentist makes an impression of the tooth so just the right size, shape and color of crown can be manufactured in a laboratory. A temporary crown is placed on the tooth while the patient waits for the permanent crown. Once the new crown is ready and matches the dentist’s and patient’s expectations, it can be permanently attached to the damaged tooth.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are one solution to replace a missing tooth. In the traditional bridge process, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are fitted with dental crowns. In between the two crowns is an artificial tooth that sits in the space of the missing tooth. This artificial tooth, or pontic, can be made of natural-looking porcelain as well as metal. The pontic is supported by a metal framework that can either be permanently attached or left removable.

Like dental crowns, the dentist makes impressions of the teeth so a laboratory can create a perfect-fitting bridge and pontic. The patient can wear a temporary bridge while waiting for the permanent bridge to be made. The permanent bridge is cemented only after the fit is comfortable and properly aligned.

Patients who have received dental crowns and dental bridges should maintain good oral hygiene habits to ensure a long life for the dental appliances. With daily brushing and flossing habits firmly in place, dental crowns and dental bridges should last for many years.

About the Author:
If you are embarrassed, frustrated or burdened by damaged or missing teeth, cosmetic dentist Dr. Scott LeSueur in Phoenix, Arizona will give you a free dental crown or dental bridge consultation.