Crowns And Bridges At The Dental Centre Bedford
Dental crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are widely used in dentistry. Sometimes also referred to as a ‘cap’, a crown is typically used to cover either a damaged tooth or to complete dental implant treatment. A bridge can be used as an alternative to a partial denture and can even replace a full arch of missing teeth when used in conjunction with implants.
Dental crowns
Crowns are made from porcelain or ceramic and are widely used where a tooth has become too badly broken to be restored using a filling. The damaged tooth will be prepared to receive the crown and digital scans/impressions then taken to facilitate the manufacture of the crown. On completion, the crown is attached to the prepared tooth using a strong dental adhesive. The aesthetics of your smile are all important, so the crown will be prepared in a shade and shape that matches your natural teeth, providing you with a strong and realistic looking restoration.
Crowns are also used to restore a tooth which has received root canal treatment and to complete a dental implant placement; as well as being part of a dental bridge restoration (please see below).
Our dental crowns are produced using the ‘CEREC’ system which means that they are produced, whilst you wait, at our practice. This takes approximately one hour, and usually removes the need for a second visit, as would be the case at most dental practices. In certain cases, the CEREC system will not be suitable and a traditional approach involving an impression will need to be undertaken.
Benefits of a crown
- A strong solution for a broken tooth
- Natural looking
- Long lasting
- Produced on site, typically taking just one hour
Bridges
A bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth, or a few adjacent teeth. Essentially, it consists of an artificial tooth, or teeth, which are attached in the mouth by the use of dental crowns at either end of the replacement teeth. This treatment does require the natural teeth either side of the gap to be prepared so that the crowns can be attached. This treatment is generally considered to provide a more secure option for replacing missing teeth than partial dentures.
Where a full arch of teeth is missing, a fixed bridge of replacement teeth can be used to replace them, secured with a limited number of titanium implants, typically four or six. You may hear the phrase “all on 4” used to describe this life-changing treatment.
Bridges offer a positive experience when eating and are generally quite straightforward to look after. However, it is important that you clean them well, especially underneath the bridge - our team will provide full aftercare information when you have this treatment.
Benefits of a bridge
- A secure way to replace a missing tooth/teeth
- Natural looking, in a shade and style to match your natural teeth
- Can be used to replace a full arch of missing teeth
- Long lasting
Our experienced team here in Bedford will always try to save a natural tooth wherever possible and practical and we have a number of treatments at our disposal for your benefit.
If you would like to find out more about the treatments we offer, please call The Dental Centre Bedford on 01234 819868.