Dental Crowns and Bridges

What Is a Crown?
A crown (also called a cap) is a man-made cover that protects the top of a tooth. It may be used to restore and preserve a decayed, broken, or cracked tooth. Crowns can also correct some cosmetic tooth problems, giving you a better smile.

A tooth that is chipped or cracked can be restored with a crown.

A tooth that is broken can be corrected with a crown.

Why You May Need a Crown
Your dentist may advise you to get a crown if you have:

A decayed or damaged tooth that needs to be restored to its normal shape and size

A cracked or broken tooth with large cavities or worn fillings

A poor-fitting crown

A tooth that has a large opening on its top surface after root canal surgery

A cosmetic tooth problem

A bite problem

The Procedure
Restoring your tooth with a crown may take 2 or 3 dental visits. Expect to wait 2 to 3 weeks between appointments. Follow the instruction that your dentist gives you.

Preparing Your Tooth
Before preparing your tooth for a crown, your dentist may first numb the tooth with a local anesthetic. Then, the tooth is reduced and shaped. Any decay is removed. Your tooth may also need rebuilding if larger parts are missing. A mold is taken of the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth. A temporary crown is applied to protect the prepared tooth between visits.

The tooth is prepared.
The crown is positioned.
The crown is in place.

Between Visits
The mold of your teeth is sent to the lab to make your permanent crown. Meanwhile, take good care of your temporary crown. Follow the tips below:

Avoid eating hard or sticky foods.

Brush gently at the gumline around the temporary crown.

Carefully floss between your teeth. To remove the floss, pull it out from the side of the tooth - not the top.

Fitting Your Crown
Your dentist removes the temporary crown and places the permanent crown on your tooth. He or she fits the crown and makes sure your bite feels normal. Once you both agree the crown fits right, it is cemented in place. Your dentist also makes sure that the shape of your tooth has been restored.

Call Your Dentist If Your Veneers:

Your teeth become sensitive to hot or cold foods or liquids, or when you bite

Your mouth feels painful, or you have a toothache

Your temporary or permanent crown becomes loose

Types of Crowns
A crown is made of gold, other metals, or porcelain. It can also be made of resin, or porcelain and metal. When choosing a crown, think about how it will look an how long it will last. Talk with your dentist about the type of crown that may be best for you.

Metal Crown
This crown is made of gold or other metals. It is very strong and won't break. Because this type isn't tooth-coloured, it may not be the best choice for a front tooth.

Tooth-coloured Crown
A tooth-coloured crown is made of porcelain or reinforced resin. It comes in a range of shades to blend with your other teeth. This type of crown may be more likely to chip than a metal crown.

Combination Crown
Porcelain is fused on top of metal, making this crown appear tooth-coloured. The metal at its base makes the crown stronger than a porcelain or resin crown. But it is not as strong as a metal crown.

Living With Your New Crown
Your new crown will help you chew easily. You may also feel more confident about your smile. Be sure to brush and floss well. Your crown will last longer. And don't forget to see your dentist as instructed.

Dental Bridges

Bridging the Gap
A bridge is a way to replace on or more missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth makes it easier to chew. It can improve your appearance. It also helps keep your teeth, gums, and jaws healthy.

Why a Bridge?
Spaces left by missing teeth affect the rest of your teeth. These gaps can cause chewing problems. If even one tooth is missing, other teeth may slowly shift out of place. This changes the way your teeth fit together (your bite). A poor bite may make your jaw sore. Your teeth may become harder to clean, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. And shifting teeth may change your smile.

ť Missing teeth can let other teeth shift, leading to a poor bite.

What Is a Fixed Bridge?
A fixed bridge is one or more replacement teeth attached to the natural teeth next to them. The bridge can only be removed by a dentist. A bridge can be made of metal, tooth-coloured porcelain, or a combination of the two. Your dentist will suggest the best material for your mouth. There are two main types of bridges: conventional and Maryland.

ť A conventional bridge has replacement teeth that are attached to crowns. The crowns are placed over the natural teeth on either side of the space to be filled.

ť A Maryland bridge has replacement teeth that are attached to the back of nearby natural teeth using a metal strip. This type of bridge may be an option if the teeth next to the bridge are in good condition.

It will take a couple of visits to prepare and fit your bridge.

The Procedure
It will take two or more dental visits to prepare and fit your bridge.

Preparing Your Teeth
For a conventional bridge, the teeth on either side of the space to be filled must be reshaped. These reshaped teeth hold crowns that support the bridge. Limited reshaping is also necessary with the Maryland bridge. For either bridge, impressions of your teeth are taken. These impressions are used to make your bridge. This process takes about two to three weeks. During this time, you may have a temporary bridge to protect your reshaped teeth.

Fitting Your Bridge
When your new bridge is ready, your dentist places it on your teeth and adjusts the fit until it feels right. The bridge is then cemented or bonded into place. If you have any problems over the next few days, call your dentist. He or she can advise you what to do or make any other adjustments that may be needed.

Caring For Your Bridge
Your bridge depends on the health of nearby teeth and gums for support. Always clean your bridge and the rest of your mouth carefully. Ask your dentist whether special cleaning aids for bridges would help you.

Brushing Brush after each meal. Brush the surfaces and sides of your bridge like you do your natural teeth. Use an interdental brush to clean between large spaces.
Flossing Floss at least once a day to clean food and bacteria from between teeth and at the gum line. Special thick floss can help keep your bridge clean. And floss threaders help you floss under a fixed bridge.

Dental Visits
See your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. These dental visits help keep your teeth and gums in good condition. Your dentist can also check to be sure there are no problems with your bridge. If you do notice a problem, especially if your bridge is loose, call your dentist right away. Never try to fix your bridge yourself.

Help make chewing comfortable again with a bridge.

Living With Your New Smile
Your bridge can help make chewing comfortable again. It can also let you feel confident about your smile. Take the time to care for your restored teeth. Keep your mouth healthy and your teeth will stay looking and feeling good.

Dr. David Mady
1665 Tecumseh Road East
Windsor, Ontario N8W 1C6

P. 519-977-6453

Alexis Dental
424 Notre Dame
Belle River ON N0R 1A0

P. 519-728-2171

Metal Crown This crown is made of gold or other metals. It is very strong and won't break. Because this type isn't tooth-coloured, it may not be the best choice for a front tooth.
Tooth-coloured Crown A tooth-coloured crown is made of porcelain or reinforced resin. It comes in a range of shades to blend with your other teeth. This type of crown may be more likely to chip than a metal crown.
Combination Crown Porcelain is fused on top of metal, making this crown appear tooth-coloured. The metal at its base makes the crown stronger than a porcelain or resin crown. But it is not as strong as a metal crown.