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CROWNS
(Cap)
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Protect
and keep badly decayed or fractured teeth.
The Problem:
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Badly
decayed teeth
Fractured teeth
Need to protect and strengthen teeth
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The
Solution:
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A crown (often called a cap) covers the tooth and restores it to its original shape and size. Decay is removed and cleaned from the tooth and a core build-up is placed to insulate the pulp. Then a highly accurate impression or mold is made of the prepared surface. This mold is used to create a model of the tooth which is then sent to a special laboratory that will create a gold or porcelain (tooth colored) crown. Approximately two weeks later the crown is available for cementation onto the prepared surface of the tooth.
Often it is advantageous to whiten teeth before treatment so that the new restoration color matches the desired whiter, brighter smile.
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Advantages:
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Crowns
are incredibly strong due to the fact that they are created in a laboratory.
This protects and strengthens the remaining tooth structure. In the hands of
a skilled dentist, a crown will fit almost perfectly onto the prepared
surface of the tooth, reducing the size of the seam between the crown and
the tooth. This helps keep decay from eventually occurring under the crown.
Crowns should be placed before the tooth is so decayed that it may fracture.
This can often help prevent the expense of root canal therapy in the future.
It can also prevent the possibility that a fractured tooth may need to be
removed, requiring the expense of a bridge or implant to replace the missing
tooth.
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Disadvantages:
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Crowns
are excellent restorations and have few disadvantages. They are highly
durable, but they will eventually need to be re-cemented or replaced due to
normal wear. Occasionally, a tooth may still need root canal therapy after
being crowned. However, this indicates that the interior of the tooth was
already sick (infected or severely fractured) and would have eventually
needed root canal therapy anyway.
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Alternatives:
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In
the event that a tooth is so decayed or fractured that it needs to be
removed, the best alternatives to a crown are bridges and implants that
replace the missing tooth.
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FIXED
BRIDGE
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A
great way to replace missing teeth.
The Problem:
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A
missing tooth or teeth
Potential bite and jaw joint problems from teeth shifting to fill the
space
The "sunken face" look associated with missing teeth
Desire to improve chewing ability
Desire for a more permanent solution than dentures
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The
Solution:
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A
bridge is a single appliance that is generally attached to two teeth on
each side of the space where a tooth is missing. An artificial tooth
attached in the middle of the bridge fills in the gap where the missing
tooth was. The teeth on either side of the gap are prepared for crowns
(see crowns) and a highly accurate impression or mold is made of the
prepared area. This mold is used to create a gold or porcelain (tooth
colored) bridge in a special laboratory. The bridge is then cemented onto
the prepared surface of the teeth, effectively creating the appearance of
a "new" tooth.
Often it is advantageous to whiten teeth before treatment so that the new
restoration color matches the desired whiter, brighter smile.
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Advantages:
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Unlike
dentures, a fixed bridge is never removed. It is stable in the mouth and
works very similar to natural teeth. By filling the gap and stopping the
movement of other teeth, a fixed bridge is an excellent investment,
providing better chewing ability, heading off jaw joint problems and saving
money that would otherwise might be spent on future dental treatment.
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Disadvantages:
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Fixed
bridges are excellent restorations and have few disadvantages. They are
highly durable, but they will eventually need to be re-cemented or replaced
due to normal wear.
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Alternatives:
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In
the event that the use of a fixed bridge is not feasible, the best
alternative is a dental implant.
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