Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain Crowns are a type of dental restoration which, when cemented into place, fully cup over the portion of a tooth which lies at and above the gum line. Since Porcelain crowns cover the entire visible aspect of the tooth, a crown in effect becomes the tooth’s outer surface. Porcelain Crowns are generally used when damage or decay is so extensive that filling materials cannot make the tooth strong enough. In addition, porcelain crowns can be used to hold a bridge in place and to cover discoloured or misshapen teeth.
The placement of a porcelain crown might be for a variety of reasons but, in general, most of these reasons will fall within one of the following basic categories:
- To restore a tooth to its original shape
- To strengthen a tooth (especially if you have had Root Canal Treatment)
- To improve the cosmetic appearance of a tooth
Porcelain Crowns are often made for teeth which have worn excessively, broken, or have had large portions destroyed by tooth decay.
When a crown is made the dental laboratory a technician can visualise and examine all aspects of the bite and jaw movements, from a variety of angles, and sculpt the crown so it has the perfect anatomy. In some cases this anatomy will be even more ideal than the tooth’s original shape.
- Metal – this type of crown can be made of gold alloy, palladium, nickel, or chromium alloy. Metal crowns are ideal for use on the back teeth<
- Ceramic – Ceramic crowns look like normal teeth and are ideal for use on the front teeth. With new materials available these ceramic crowns can also be utilised in other areas of the mouth.
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) – PFM crowns look like normal teeth and can be used anywhere in the mouth.
Bridges
A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Two crowns are secured to the teeth either side of the gap, and an attached crown replaces your missing tooth, effectively ‘bridging’ the gap.
Bridges are fixed in the month, unlike partial dentures which can be removed.
Bridges can reduce the risk of gum disease, help correct some bite issues and even improve speech. Bridges do require a commitment to serious oral hygiene.
If spaces from missing teeth are left unfilled, they may cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of position and therefore throw your bite out of balance, as well as create unsightly gaps between your teeth. Additionally, spaces from missing teeth can cause other teeth and the gums to become for more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
- Traditional fixed bridge – to replace one or more missing teeth, using the support of 2 adjacent teeth.
- Resin bonded bridges – used primarily on the front teeth, the bridge is bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth with resin which is hidden from view.
- Cantilever bridges – used when there is only one tooth available on one side of the open space.
During your initial consultation you may require or request a full mouth reconstruction. If this is the case then a combination of the above treatments may be required.
