As we age, many of us find ourselves with
teeth that are no longer structurally sound. Root canals,
lost fillings, decay below a filling, large amalgam (silver)
fillings, chipping and cracking of the enamel are all things
that can lead to large scale defects in a tooth's surface.
Grinding your teeth, an improper bite and age can all be contributing
factors in the wearing down, cracking or breakage of your
teeth. Dental crowns cover the entire visible surface of your
affected tooth and add strength, durability and tooth stability.
Procedure
Typically Dr Babik make an impression of
the tooth and a dental laboratory will create the crown. You
will typically leave the office with a temporary crown to
wear while the permanent crown is being made - this takes
about two weeks. The permanent crown is then cemented onto
your tooth. Typically, only two visits are required for this
part of the procedure. Often, a preliminary restoration of
your tooth may be needed before a crown can be placed. To
stabilize your tooth, a filling must first be put in place
prior to placing a crown due to the loss of original tooth
structure. Tooth crowns usually last ten to fifteen years.
Bridges
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a false tooth, known
as a pontic, which is fused between two porcelain crowns to
fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The two crowns holding
it in place that are attached onto your teeth on each side
of the false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge. This
procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed
bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you might do
with removable partial dentures.
Overview of dental bridge procedure
If you have a space from a missing tooth,
a bridge will be custom made to fill in the space with a false
tooth. The false tooth is attached by the bridge to the two
other teeth around the space - bridging them together.
How is dental bridge accomplished?
Dr Babik will prepare your teeth on either
side of the space for the false tooth. You will be given a
mild anesthetic to numb the area, and small reduction of an
area of each abutment (teeth on either side of the space)
to accommodate for the thickness of the crown. When these
teeth already have fillings, part of the filling may be left
in place to help as a foundation for the crown.
Dr Babik will then make an impression,
which will serve as the model from which the bridge, false
tooth and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory. A temporary
bridge will be placed for you to wear while your bridge is
being made until your next visit. This temporary bridge will
serve to protect your teeth and gums.
