Crowns or CAPS are made of materials that fit over unattractive,damaged or decayed tooth structure to act as a brace to strengthen and reinforce the existing tooth.The crown completely covers the affected tooth 360 degrees usually above the gum line or tissue.This is in contrast to a porcelain veneer that covers the front, top and sometimes sides of the tooth but leaving most of the back of the tooth totally intact.If the tooth is significantly damaged a crown is the usual treatment of choice to strengthen and reestablish the natural shape, size,color and contour of the tooth.
Crowns are usually made of some combination of metal, zirconia and porcelain.Crowns can strengthen damaged teeth and allow them to function normally again. When fabricated from today's high-tech materials (porcelains,zirconia) crowns can look so natural they blend right into the mouth and are virtually undetectable.It has been shown that bonded crowns can restore the tooth back to the original strength.
As mentioned there are other materials besides porcelain that can be used in fabricating crowns.Metal is extremely durable and has been used for years in Dentistry.The durability is great but the aesthetics are not especially near the front of the mouth.Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (PFM) are another alternative for a combination of durability and a little better aesthetics. They are composed of metal over the tooth and a layer of porcelain over the metal.This is an improvement to pure metal but still not as attractive as all porcelain. All porcelain crowns with a zirconium base offer the best advantage of esthetics and strength. We would be happy to discuss the pros and cons of these various options with you.
HOW IT WORKS
Once the tooth is prepared, impressions of your prepped teeth are taken with an impression material. The impressions are sent of to a dental laboratory to fabricate the final restoration. A few weeks later the final restoration is ready to be bonded to the prepped tooth for a beautiful and natural looking restored tooth.During this time you will be placed into a custom temporary that will look very natural and be very comfortable for you to wear until the permanent restoration comes back form the lab.Dr. Adams is fortunate to be able to utilize only the best lab technicians/ceramists in the country. A few are actually hear locally.
The number of abutment teeth necessary to replace missing teeth is influenced by the number of missing teeth, the size and length of the abutment tooth roots, the amount of bone support each abutment tooth has, as well as where in the mouth the missing tooth is located. For example, if you have three missing teeth, four abutment teeth may be necessary, thereby creating a seven unit bridge. Engineering and designing of the bridge requires an understanding of how to replace teeth, as well as the biology of the supporting gum and bone tissue.
Dental bridges are an alternative to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to literally create a bridge to be able to replace the missing teeth.Bridges are fabricated from gold, metal, alloys,zirconium and porcelain to ensure that they are durable and strong.
The process of creating a bridge begins by creating an impression to enable the dentist to make a custom temporary bridge at the end of the prep appointment The existing teeth are prepared to provide a base for the bridge. After the abutments have been prepared, an impression is taken of the prepared teeth and sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the impression to make a model of the prepared teeth to fabricate a bridge. The bridge consists of two or more crowns on either end to place on the abutments of the bridge and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.
Like the crown a custom temporary bridge will be made while the permanent bridge is being fabricated and comes back from the lab. This will protect the abutments and the exposed gum areas and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. When the permanent bridge has been made you will return for the fitting and bonding of the final restoration or bridge.It will be bonded on the abutments for a very natural looking a comfortable restoration.
If you are missing a tooth you should strongly consider having it replaced.Replacing the tooth gives you a functional and aesthetic advantage because it decreases the possibility structural changes to your mouth and jaw. This aids in your ability to speak and eat properly. Ask us how we can help you enhance your smile today.
