Dental Crowns and Bridges
A dental crown is a restorative procedure intended to repair a natural tooth. The crown is a "cap" placed over the tooth, designed to cover the tooth, while maintaining its size and shape. A crown also provides structural strength to a tooth, and improves the tooth’s aesthetic look. Mackenzie dental Centre's dentists in Vaughan are happy to sit down for a consultation with you to see if dental crowns are the right solution for you.
Crowns may be required for a variety of conditions. A comprehensive examination and diagnosis will determine if this is the best course of action. Needless to say, not every condition is going to be conducive for a dental crown, but there are certainly some general considerations.
- Protecting a weak or cracked tooth from deteriorating
- Restoring a damaged tooth, or a tooth that’s worn down
- Adding support to a weakened tooth with a large filling
- Holding a dental bridge in its place and adding stability
- Covering a discoloured tooth as part of cosmetic work
Teeth that have been restored with a dental crown will look and function like the other natural teeth. And with today’s state-of-the-art technologies, the procedure provides excellent long-term results. But like other dental procedures, it’s always wise to take extra care day-to-day.
- With crowns, a local anesthetic is used to prep the damaged tooth
- An impression is made of the damaged tooth and the opposing teeth
- The crown is then manufactured to precisely match the impression
- Prior to installing the crown, a “temporary” crown covers the tooth
- When ready, the permanent crown is cemented, ensuring a perfect fit
Unlike a dental crown, a bridge is a restorative device designed to fill the space where a tooth is missing. While every bridge is highly customized, the idea is that the bridge extends over the area without teeth, and incorporates an artificial tooth held in place by teeth on either side.
With a bridge, the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared in advance. Then an impression is made of the entire area, in order to fabricate the final bridge. The bridge device will be made of an artificial tooth and two crowns that will support the device in place.
In the meantime, a temporary bridge is installed. Once ready, the final bridge will be affixed to the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth. A dental bridge is a permanent device, and can’t be removed. Naturally, the manufacture and installation must be precise and accurate.
Because there are different types of bridges, it’s important for a dentist to recommend the best option and the most appropriate device. With good care, a bridge should sustain for 10 years or longer. And like natural teeth, regular maintenance and routine dental visits are recommended.
For more complex procedures, multiple bridges can be fabricated and installed (in combination with dental implants). Clearly, this is a more involved full-mouth reconstruction, requiring more work and more time. But with precision work, the outcomes are excellent and long lasting.
At the Mackenzie Dental Centre, Dr. Lloyd Pedvis provides a professional and comprehensive approach to every aspect of dentistry. The Mackenzie team is highly qualified - patient health is a priority with every treatment and every procedure. And while the clinic is focused on prevention, there is an added emphasis on early diagnosis and effective treatment options.