Crown And Bridge
Getting a dental crown or bridge in Philadelphia, PA, are both common procedures that patients sometimes misunderstand. While crowns and bridges have definite similarities, they are different procedures used to treat unique oral health issues.
What is a Dental Crown?
A crown or cap covers a damaged tooth and restores it to as much functionality as possible. Placing a crown can also help prevent the extraction of your tooth later. Some of the most common reasons that patients need a dental crown include:
- Cracked or chipped tooth
- A discolored tooth that has not responded well to whitening efforts
- Misshapen tooth
- Protection for a tooth after a root canal
- To protect a newly installed dental implant
When one of the dentists at Solange Lora Dentistry recommends a dental crown, the first step is to come in for X-rays and impressions. Your dentist uses X-rays to determine the precise location of the tooth needing a crown to aid in the placement and planning of your dental crown. You will need to sit with dental putty in your mouth for a few minutes to allow your dentist to obtain an impression of the tooth.
During the appointment to receive your crown, your dentist will pare down your tooth with a special dental instrument. This process is to ensure that the crown will fit over your tooth without protruding further than the rest of your teeth. You receive a temporary crown until our laboratory creates a permanent one. The typical wait for a permanent crown is two weeks, and our scheduling staff will contact you to schedule another appointment once the permanent crown is available.
Taking proper care of your new crown is critical to ensure that it lasts as long as possible before requiring replacement. Here are several things you can do to improve the longevity of your dental crown:
- Brush your teeth as normal but avoid using abrasive toothpaste on the crowned tooth.
- Avoid chewing hard foods with the tooth that has a crown to prevent breakage.
- Use mouthwash every day to help kill bacteria in your mouth.
Most dental crowns last approximately 10 years when you take diligent care of all your teeth.
What is a Dental Bridge?
The sole purpose of a dental bridge is to replace a missing tooth. The bridge contains wires that adhere to the back of the tooth to the left and right of the missing tooth to secure it in place. Our dentists may also choose to adhere a bridge to a dental implant. Your new bridge will contain a replacement tooth but doesn’t replace the roots of the missing tooth as dental implants do. The two main components of a dental bridge are abutments, which are the natural or implant teeth that support the bridge, and the pontic, which is the official name for the replacement tooth.
You may receive either a cantilever, conventional, Maryland or implant-supported dental bridge based on your oral health needs and the recommendation of your dentist. We will provide you with information about each of the different bridge types during your initial consultation.
Do you need a dental crown or bridge in Philadelphia, PA? Please schedule an appointment with one of our dentists to assess your needs and recommend the correct procedure for you.
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