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Dental Crowns and Bridges

What is the difference between Dental Crowns and Bridges?

A dental crown is a prosthetic treatment option which aims at substituting the dental structure lost due to fractures, caries, alterations in the shape and color of the teeth, in addition to protecting devitalized teeth which present a fragile structure.

It is placed over the tooth’s root and its objective is to restore the function, esthetics, and health of the dentition.

The fixed bridge, on the other hand, is indicated to replace one or more missing teeth, resting on neighboring teeth or natural roots (pillars). Its indication is limited and must be evaluated by the dentist on a case-by-case basis.

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are structures that cover the visible part of the tooth. They can be natural or artificial.

What is their function?

Natural dental crowns are the visible part of the tooth, which have an influence on the aesthetics of the smile and serve to make chewing good, speaking correctly and protecting the internal tissues of the teeth.

Prosthetic dental crowns are fixed dental prostheses that can be applied on natural teeth or dental implants. They are recommended when the tooth structure is badly compromised and may disintegrate.

These crowns are produced in a laboratory and help protect the exposed interior of the tooth, restoring chewing function and the aesthetics of the smile. Nowadays, the materials and techniques used in the production of prosthetic crowns allow them to resemble natural teeth.

In what cases are dental crowns applied?

The main reasons that may lead to the use of dental crowns include:

  • Protection of teeth that are heavily treated or weakened by other dental procedures, such as radiation therapy or teeth whitening;
  • Strengthening and protecting teeth with large restorations or wear;
  • Correction of open bite or other occlusion problems;
  • Improvement of masticatory function and phonetics;
  • Replacement of old or damaged dental prostheses;
  • Protection and esthetics of implanted teeth;
  • Prevention of future damage, such as fractures or caries.

What are the steps in placing crowns?

Placing dental crowns is a multi-step process.

First, an evaluation appointment is held to identify the patient’s oral health status and check whether there is a need to place a crown.

If necessary, the tooth is prepared through a grinding process in order to receive the new crown.

A mold of the tooth is then produced and sent to a dental laboratory for the crown to be produced. A temporary crown can be placed while waiting for the definitive crown to be produced.

Finally, the crown is cemented onto the prepared tooth and the treatment is concluded. In some cases it may be necessary to apply posts in the root canal to ensure greater retention.

The most commonly used materials are ceramic, metal-ceramic, metal and zirconia. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is important that the evaluation is made by the dentist, so that he/she can indicate which is the best material for each specific case.

Ceramic is the most aesthetic material, but also the most fragile. Metal, on the other hand, is the most resistant, but can be less aesthetic. Metal-ceramics is a combination of ceramic and metal, providing both aesthetics and strength.

Zirconia is a high-strength ceramic, and can be a good option for cases where esthetics is important and strength is also required.

The average lifespan of a dental crown in the mouth is about 10 to 15 years, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the care and maintenance that is given, as well as the type of material used to make it.

It is important that the patient maintains good oral hygiene and makes regular visits to the dentist to ensure the longevity of the crown.

Dental bridges

Dental bridges are a form of prosthetic restoration intended to replace one or more missing teeth.

They can be made from different materials, such as zirconia or ceramic metal, and can be fixed on healthy teeth or dental implants. The main goal is to restore the function and aesthetics of the dentition, always according to the needs of each patient.

When do we resort to dental bridges?

Bridges are an alternative for replacing one or more missing teeth, and consist of a series of joined crowns.

They can be made of different materials, such as zirconia or ceramic metal, and can be placed on natural teeth or on implants.

In the case of bridges over natural teeth, it is necessary to have healthy teeth at the ends of the tooth gap. Bridges over implants, on the other hand, require the placement of implants at the ends of the tooth gap.

In cases of more extensive bridges, it may be necessary to include intermediate teeth or implants to support the entire bridge structure.

What material are dental bridges made of?

Besides ceramics, other materials can be used in the manufacture of fixed bridges, such as metal-ceramic, which is composed of a metal base covered by a layer of ceramic, providing good resistance and aesthetics, or even gold, which is a very resistant and durable material, but is not as aesthetic as ceramics.

The choice of the appropriate material will depend on the patient’s specific needs and conditions, and will be discussed with your dentist.

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