Crown & Bridges
Restoring Your Natural Teeth
When your tooth is chipped, cracked or decayed there may still be a chance to save it and restore it. It is always our priority to save your natural teeth in an emergency and veneers, inlays, onlays, crowns and fixed bridges can help. These cosmetic dentistry procedures entail shaving down your tooth in order to place a veneer, inlay/onlay, crown or a fixed bridge on top, replicating your natural teeth. This is the best possible option if most of your tooth is intact and can accommodate a crown or bridgework. These options protect your tooth and restore it to equal function like the rest of your natural teeth.
How It’s Done
A veneer, inlay/only, crown or fixed bridge is installed by first shaving down your tooth and taking an accurate manual impression for a custom fit. It may take a few weeks to prepare your crown, veneer, fixed bridge or inlay/only in the lab, so in the meantime your dentist will give you a temporary crown while you wait. This is done as a measure to protect your tooth and also as part of emergency cosmetic dentistry to fix the aesthetic of your smile.
Your crown, veneer, fixed bridge, inlay or onlay will consist of porcelain, metal or both and will be virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. To ensure this, you may have to make a visit to the lab in which it is being created for colour matching and staining. Once it is ready your crown, veneer, fixed bridge, inlay or onlay will be permanently attached to your shaved natural tooth and your smile will be restored.
What is Bridgework?
If your tooth is missing altogether the most common solution is to get a crown on a dental implant. Another option is to get bridgework, in which the neighbouring teeth receive crowns and hold a crown over the gap, like a bridge. This can be done as a three-unit fixed bridge to fill in one gap, or as a five-unit fixed bridge to fill more.
Taking Care of Your Crown or Fixed Bridge
Just like your other teeth, your crown, fixed bridge, inlay, onlay or veneer need regular upkeep and maintenance. Ensure you brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque build-up for a beautiful smile that will last!