If you’ve had the misfortune of loosing one of your teeth, particularly a tooth from the front of your mouth, then chances are you are considering dental bridges and crowns. These two types of dental implants are invaluable when it comes to returning your smile to its sparkling self.
With Care Dental Camberwell’s ultimate guide to dental crowns and dental bridges.
crowns, any questions you have about the procedure should be crystal clear. But, if you still have questions, feel free to contact us at any time. We’re always happy to help.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are used to cover or ‘cap’ an entire damaged tooth. As such, we may suggest a dental crown for a variety of applications, including:
- Strengthening your existing teeth.
- Purely aesthetic reasons, such as reshaping or realigning your teeth.
- Replacing a large filling if there isn’t enough healthy tooth remaining.
- Protecting an already weakened tooth from fracturing, or fracturing even further than it already has.
- To attach a dental bridge.
- Covering another type of dental implant to create a properly shaped tooth, thereby ensuring the normal function of your teeth and mouth
- Covering discoloured teeth.
- Covering, and protecting, teeth that have had root canal treatment.
Crowns are made from a number of different materials, such as ceramic or porcelain, which can be manufactured to match the natural colour of existing teeth. Alternatively, we can use gold, acrylic, metal alloys, or even porcelain bonded to a metal alloy shell. These types of materials can be stronger than porcelain or ceramic alone, making them perfect for teeth at the back of the mouth.
What are Dental Bridges?
We may recommend that you opt for a dental bridge if you’re missing an entire tooth, or even multiple teeth. It is vital to repair holes created by teeth that are missing. If these holes or gaps go untreated, your remaining teeth will move, or even rotate, to fill the gaps, giving you a bad bite. In addition, missing teeth often leads to gum diseases and other joint disorders. Here is everything you need to know about dental crowns.
Bridges span the gap between missing teeth, and are bonded either to your remaining teeth or implants on either side of the space/gap. The teeth on either side of the implant are referred to as abutments, and they basically become like anchors for your bridge. A new tooth (also known as a pontiac) will then be attached to your supporting teeth/or implants..
Just like crowns, there is a choice of materials for dental bridges, which once again include porcelain, ceramic, and metal alloys. The most suitable material will depend upon where your missing tooth is located and its function, as well as the overall aesthetics of your smile.
Which is Better? Crowns or Bridges or Implants
Crowns and bridges each have their advantages and disadvantages. It is nearly impossible to say that one type of dental solution is better than another. Often, the best dental product is simply the one that best suits your specific need – both physical and financial.
Advantages of Crowns and Bridges
- They protect your remaining, healthy teeth.
- They can be used to replace more than one missing tooth, returning your smile to its usual, sparkling self.
- Various combinations of crowns, bridges and implants can be used to tailor a solution that suits all your dental care needs.
- Dental bridges and crowns do not require invasive dental surgery; they can be fitted through a simple, relatively painless in-chair procedure.
- The procedure to fit crowns and bridges is quick and easy, and can usually be completed within two or three visits.
- Once in place, a dental bridge or crown is very stable, ensuring that the chewing of food is effortless and very comfortable.
- Dental bridges can be a relatively cheap option to replace missing teeth when compare to some of the other options available.
Disadvantages of Crowns and Bridges
- When compared with implants, crowns and bridges require greater ongoing maintenance.
- With a lifespan of approximately 10 to 15 years, crowns and bridges do not last as long as implants, which can last forever – when maintained irregular car!
- Implants can look more natural than crowns or bridges (although, with Dr Anna working on your teeth, this should never be an issue).
- Dental bridges can cause undue wear and tear, making eating difficult.
How much do Dental Implants (like Crowns and Bridges) Cost?
The cost of dental implants, like crowns and bridges, can vary considerably, depending on a myriad of factors:
- How many crowns or bridges you might need
- The condition that your teeth are in, before we apply crowns and bridges
- Your level of health insurance (sometimes health insurance does not cover the cost of cosmetic dental procedures)
It is important to keep in mind that, when it comes to dental services, particularly crowns and bridge implants, the age-old adage is really true: you do get what you pay for. While crowns and bridges might seem expensive, they last for years, particularly if your teeth are well cared for. The boost to your confidence and self-esteem, as well as the actual functioning of your teeth and mouth, really isn’t something that you can put a price on.
What are the Dangers of Cheap Dental Implants?
As with any cheap dental procedure, there are a number of dangers associated with cheap dental implants, including:
- Gum disease: this occurs when bacteria eat away at the connective tissue between (and inside) teeth and gums. In severe cases, it can actually destroy the teeth roots and gums altogether. Any sign of gum disease should always be treated before dental crowns or bridges are fitted.
- Autoimmune diseases: these can be aggravated or even caused by cheap dental implants
- Oral galvanism: this occurs when two dissimilar metals are placed into your mouth. This combination of metal creates a battery inside your mouth, which is even capable of generating electricity.
With Care Dental Camberwell looking after all your dental crowns and bridges, you can have complete peace of mind that any money is very well spent, particularly given that Dr Anna has extensive experience and expertise and we only use the highest quality materials in all our dental procedures.
Still wanting more? Check out our website for further information on dental crowns and bridges.