Crowns / Bridges

Crowns / Bridges

A crown or a bridge is a cap that is placed over a tooth and held in place by dental adhesive or dental cement to treat problems of decay, fractured teeth and malocclusion, as well as to protect teeth which have undergone root canal treatment or large fillings. They can also be used to change tooth color and shape.

CROWNS ARE USED FOR SEVERAL REASONS

• Gives protection for badly decayed or fractured teeth
• As a permanent restoration for teeth with large fillings
• To correct minor problems in natural teeth like spacing, irregular shape or severe iscoloration

BRIDGES

A bridge (also known as a fixed partial denture) is planned when one or more teeth are missing and there are healthy teeth on both sides of the open space.

PORCELAIN FUSED TO METAL (PFM)

Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) is a tooth-colored bridge with high strength. Unlike an all-ceramic bridge, the metal core of the PFM makes it stronger. Tooth-colored porcelain of the highest quality is baked on the outside of the metal core. But because there is metal under the porcelain, it blocks natural tooth translucency and is not as pretty (aesthetically) as an all-ceramic bridge.

There are many different marginal configurations (the area where the bridge meets the tooth) of a PFM. How well the margin of the bridge fits, affects the health of the gums and ultimately the longevity of the bridge. We choose to do a porcelain butt margin, which is the most aesthetic (also the most challenging for the dentist and the laboratory technicians to perform well). A porcelain butt joint, when done well, is aesthetic, healthy for the gums, and durable.

ALL-CERAMIC BRIDGE

An all-ceramic bridge (or porcelain with ceramic substrate) is the most aesthetically pleasing among all the bridges. There is no metal, so translucency is usually excellent (depending on the type of materials used for the all-ceramic bridge). These bridges are usually indicated on front teeth or teeth that are highly visible. We use only the best materials (a combination of beauty, biocompatibility, and strength) for our all-ceramic bridges.