Dental Crowns
A dental crown, or dental cap, is a protective covering for a damaged tooth. A crown is made by taking an impression of your natural tooth that is going to covered and creating a mold from that to form the new protective crown. Once in place, a dental crown will offer protection for your tooth, making it stronger than it was prior to receiving a dental crown.
How do I know if I need a dental crown?
The tooth is comprised of a hard enamel outside, and soft pulp inside. The pulp is made from sensitive nerves and blood vessels which are prone to infection when exposed to outside elements. When the enamel is damaged, the soft pulp in your tooth is prone to pain, infection and other outside elements. Cracks in the enamel can slightly pull the tooth apart causing a pain and a source for bacteria to enter, which may lead to the need for a root canal. Worn enamel makes cracks more likely and easier for infection to get inside. Worn enamel can make eating very hot or cold foods painful since there is less protection for the sensitive nerves underneath.
A dental crown is helpful when there is significant damage to a tooth, such as a fracture or extensive wear. It will also make your tooth stronger than it was naturally, so it will be better protected against future wear. If you grind your teeth, have acid reflux, bulimia, or you have a high-acid diet, Dental crowns are necessary for preventing future damage.
Dental Bridges
Missing teeth not only make talking and chewing more difficult, but they can also cause other mouth problems. The empty space between teeth can cause the adjacent teeth to move into the empty area, affecting your bite and leading to gum disease or other issues.
Dental Bridges fill in this gap, preventing other teeth from moving into this area. There are two types of dental bridges:
- Removable Dental Bridges
- Permanent Dental Bridges
Removal bridges are often called partial dentures, since they are taken out and cleaned, and permanent bridges, which aren’t taken out and clean, are often referred to as just dentures.
If you are feeling any pain or discomfort around your teeth, or see any cracks or fractures, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you have any questions regarding dental crowns and bridges, our services, or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact us!
