Crown & Bridges
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a tailor made long lasting restoration to cover and protect a weak, cracked or decayed tooth, it provides support and protection other dental solutions can’t.
After a tooth is crowned, the tooth is stronger and is typically restored back to full function. This means no more painful biting, chewing, or speaking. Your new crown will also aesthetically enhance your smile.
If you’re finding that your teeth are becoming weak, chipped or damaged, the Mint Dental dentists will be able to strengthen and restore your smile with a crown or dental bridge. Tooth loss occurs for all kinds of reasons. But, thankfully, you don’t have to put up with gaps in your smile.
When do I need a crown?
A crown maybe be needed for several reasons:
Size of your tooth
If you have a small sized tooth, a crown can be used to increase the size of the tooth, ensuring it’s the same or similar size as the rest of your teeth.
Shape of your tooth
No one’s teeth are completely uniform, but trauma and birth defects can cause fractures or changes to the shape of your teeth. A crown can be used to cap these teeth, creating a more ‘normal’ shape.
Appearance of your tooth
If you have dead, badly stained or discoloured teeth, crowns can provide a more natural look, creating more uniform dentition.
Strength of your tooth
If you’ve lost a large part of your tooth due to decay or trauma, it will become weak over time. Crowns can be used to strengthen the tooth and protect it from chewing forces, safeguarding it from removal in the future.
What is a Dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthesis that bridges the gap between two teeth separated by a missing tooth. It consists of two primary components:
Crowns for abutment teeth
The two teeth adjacent to the space created by a missing tooth are called abutment teeth. They act as a support for the bridge, and are reduced in size and crowned so the gap in between can be filled.
Crowns for missing teeth
You don’t want a gap in your smile, so the missing tooth is replaced with an artificial crown that is connected to the crowns on the abutment teeth. This completes the bridge, making it a single functional unit.
What are the benefits of a dental bridge?
Restoring your smile
Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. A bridge fills the gaps in your smile, restoring a natural look that will have you smiling with confidence.
Improved chewing and speech
A bridge acts like your normal teeth, encouraging a greater chewing capacity and improved speech.
Original teeth position is maintained
If your missing teeth are not replaced, over time your adjacent teeth move into the space. This drift can cause changes in your bite pattern and spacing between your teeth. A bridge solves all of these problems in one go.
Altered face shape
Missing teeth can cause sunken cheeks and an altered face shape. By restoring your dentition, a bridge helps your face regain its natural shape, restoring a healthier looking, more confident you.
Permanent, painless solution
Unlike partial dentures, a bridge is fixed. Once fitted, they’re extremely comfortable and because they don’t need to be removed for cleaning, are easier to maintain than dentures.
If you’ve lost your teeth as a result of dental decay or trauma, call the team at Mint Dental Mudgeeraba. We can have a detailed discussion about your needs and create a dental bridge treatment that perfectly suits your smile.
