Bridges and crowns are excellent solutions for various oral health problems. They can fix, prevent, or manage the following dental issues.
Our teeth are amazing! They help us chew and digest food and play a vital role in our speech. Our teeth give us our distinguishing smile and help us maintain bone structure. Healthy teeth are essential to our overall health, so taking care of them is crucial.
Depending on the issue, various treatment methods are used when dental problems arise. You’ve likely heard of dental crowns and bridges, but what are they, and what dental problems do they fix?
First, let’s discuss what bridges and crowns are and then what dental issues they can improve.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A missing tooth can cause severe problems in your mouth. Our teeth are made to work together to help you speak, smile, and eat. When you lose a tooth, it can cause the nearby teeth to shift and become crooked. A missing tooth from the lower jaw may cause a tooth in your upper jaw to shift down into that space. This can affect your bite and place stress on your teeth and jaw joints, possibly leading to damage and pain. One way to fix this issue is by placing a bridge in the missing space.
A dental bridge is a custom-made replacement tooth that fills the space where your tooth is missing. A bridge permanently restores your bite and helps maintain the natural shape of your face. Dental bridges are made with two crowns and a tooth bridge. These pieces rest on the gums and replace the missing tooth. The dentist cements these crowns on dental implants or existing teeth on either side of the gap to hold the bridge in place.
What is a Dental Crown?
Sometimes called caps, dental crowns are false teeth that fit over an existing tooth or teeth to restore its aesthetic and strengthen or protect it from further damage. They can also be fused onto dental implants to replace a missing tooth.
Dental crowns come in different materials, such as gold, porcelain, resin, and metals, and can be custom-made according to the patient’s desired look. Depending on the material used, a crown can be strong, durable, and match the existing teeth’ color and texture.
Issues Bridges and Crowns Can Fix
Dental bridges and crowns are excellent solutions for various oral health problems. They can fix, prevent, or manage the following dental issues:
- Cracked, broken, or chipped tooth – a crown is the only option
- Deep cavities or weak large fillings
- Repair tooth enamel
- Root canal – a crown to protect and strengthen your tooth
- Teeth misalignment and appearance issues
- Speech problems
- Weak tooth or chewing problems
To restore your oral health, our dental professionals at The Dental Anesthesia Center can help! From patients with disabilities to severe dental anxiety, we offer exceptional patient care in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. Dental work such as bridges and crowns can be completed under oral sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia.
Call us today to schedule your dental appointment.
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The only board-certified dental anesthesiologist in Missouri, including St. Louis.