Crowns and bridges are one of the best ways to give you back your pearly white smile and to give you a new sense of confidence. The difference between dentures, crowns and fixed bridges is that dentures can be removed from the mouth, while crowns and fixed bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are custom-made and cemented into place by a dentist.
Crowns are ideal for the following scenarios:
- When you want to cover a poorly shaped tooth, a discoloured tooth, or a tooth that has received root canal treatment;
- When you have a weak tooth that is at risk of breaking or fracturing and your dentist has advised that a crown could be a possible solution;
- When you want to restore a tooth that has already been broken or fractured;
- When your dentist needs to attach a bridge two crowns are required that are attached to one or more pontic teeth.
Contrary to popular belief, a crown will typically not last a lifetime. Over time you may have recurrent decay or the porcelain on the biting surface may fracture. In those cases a replacement crown will be required. To increase the longevity of your crown or bridge, proper home care is required. Bridges require the use of a floss-threader to clean under it. Failing to do so commonly causes recurrent decay. Regular check-ups with your dentist can intercept and treat small problems before the crown or bridge fails.
Another misconception is the reason for choosing porcelain crowns over full gold crowns. Porcelain crowns are aesthetically very desirable and hence are used for anterior teeth. Full gold crowns are desirable for the posterior teeth because they are very biocompatible and wear at a similar rate to a natural tooth’s structure, which means they will have fewer problems in the long term.
Dr. Ralph Bastian is a dentist in Peterborough with over 30 years of experience in the placement and general maintenance of crowns and fixed bridges. He is passionate about designing and creating intricate multi-unit prosthesis which can restore function and appearance.
