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Dental Crown
A dental crown is a restoration method for teeth that have lost too much structure to be treated by other means, or for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment. Crowns are designed to preserve the remaining tooth structure and replace the lost portion for durability and strength. The crown procedure requires grinding down some of the tooth to ensure proper crown attachment.
There are two types of dental crowns: Full Crown and Partial Crown.
**Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment** often have little healthy tooth structure remaining and are more fragile than normal. This makes them prone to cracking or breaking easily. Therefore, it’s advisable to reinforce these teeth with a crown in combination with a dental post and core, especially for smaller teeth such as front teeth and premolars.
Dental bridge or fixed dentures.
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that closely resembles natural teeth, where adjacent teeth are filed down to serve as anchors for the crown, and it includes a floating crown (Pontic) to replace the lost tooth.
There are 3 types of dental bridges
1. Regular tooth bridge
A conventional bridge will consist of different types of crowns depending on the patient’s needs, which will include a pontic that replaces the lost tooth as a connector for the crowns attached to the adjacent teeth. This type of crown is commonly used.
2. Cantilever bridges
This type of dental bridge will have only one adjacent tooth used to anchor the bridge.
3. Maryland Bridges
Maryland bridge or resin-bond bridge is a type of dental bridge that has a metal core and metal wings that are used to attach to the back of the adjacent teeth.
The materials used for making crowns and bridges have 3 types
Type 1: Crowns and bridges consisting of ceramic and metal crowns.
Type 2: Crowns and bridges made entirely of ceramic crowns.
Type 3: Crowns and bridges made of all-metal crowns (gold).
Ceramic crowns or metal-ceramic bridges have colors that resemble natural teeth. Dentists often recommend using metal-ceramic types for replacing molars, as they require durability and strength. Pure ceramic materials are suggested for replacing front teeth because these types of crowns or bridges provide clarity and beauty, resembling natural teeth.
You should get a dental crown for the following reasons:
- Used instead of filling in cases where the tooth has a large cavity and there is insufficient tooth structure remaining.
- Prevent weak teeth from cracking.
- Repair cracked teeth.
- Tooth bridge
- Dental crown
- Dental crowns that have abnormal color or shape.
- Crown for root canal treatment.
Dental crown/bridge treatment steps
Steps for Traditional Crown/Bridge Treatment
- Diagnostic examination and tooth preparation
- Administering local anesthesia to the tooth area to be prepared
- Tooth preparation to create a base for the crown or bridge
- Recording the desired color, size, and shape for the crown/bridge
- Taking dental impressions to create a model
- The model and all details are sent to the laboratory to fabricate the crown/bridge
- The dentist will fit a temporary crown/bridge for the patient to use while waiting for the permanent restoration
Steps for Fitting the Bridge
- Removal of the temporary crown/bridge
- Cementing the permanent crown/bridge onto the tooth, checking and adjusting for optimal fit
- Aftercare instructions
- The dentist will provide guidance on cleaning and maintenance for long-term use
- The tooth preparation and crown/bridge fitting process may cause temporary tooth sensitivity, which should subside shortly