All You Need To Know About Crowns and Bridges

The FDI World Dental Federation was founded in 1900 in Paris and since then it has been the world’s leading organization the represents the dental profession on all frontiers. The establishment shares astounding facts about oral problems and frankly, they are quite frightening. Their recent report states that around 3.9 billion people across the globe are affected by oral diseases. 

Furthermore, around 60-90% of all schoolchildren and almost 100% of all adults experience decay that may lead to tooth pain and discomfort. And lastly, around 30% of people of 65 to 75 years of age have no natural teeth. Too many, this may sound absurd but over the years we have found reasonable substitutes to manage such dilemmas. Which brings us to our topic, ‘what are crowns and bridges’? 

Now before we advise you to get your oral problems fixed by visiting a local professional such as a dentist in Brisbane, let us first divulge you with some important information relating to them. 

So let’s take a quick look at what you need to know about crowns and bridges and understand what they are exactly:

Crowns

Let us start off with crowns first as in order to understand bridges you need to have a solid understanding of what a crown is in dentistry. In its simplest definition, a crown is as the name applies a cap that can be put over a tooth by your dentist. Not only are they tooth-shaped but they can also help to restore the shape and size of the tooth they cover as well as improve its appearance and strengthen it over time. When a crown is applied it covers the entirety of the tooth that is visible above the gum line. Now you might be wondering why people need a crown in the first place. 

There can be several reasons, and some of the most popular ones include:

• To protect your tooth from further decay especially if it is already weak.
• To stop a tooth from breaking or cracking.
• To restore a tooth that is broken or severely worn down.
• To make discolored teeth or unevenly shaped teeth look better.
• To cover a dental implant.
• To offer you a cosmetic appeal, improve your smile.
• & lastly to hold a bridge in its place.

Now that you hopefully have a better comprehension of why it is used, let’s take a look at some of the popular variations available:

• Alloys or crown made from other metals might include high quantities of gold or platinum as well as cobalt and nickel-chromium in their composition. They can last for a long period of time as they can withstand chewing and biting forces. However they can be quite expensive plus they stand out a lot so it is best to use them for out of sight teeth that do not show clearly when you smile, talk, or eat. However each person has their own preferences, so who knows, you might consider putting them upfront. 

• Stainless steel crowns are used as a temporary solution and are used on a permanent tooth. While the stainless steel crown is used to protect the tooth and its filling, another crown can be made from other materials to replace it permanently.
• Porcelain or ceramic are more naturally colored and thus look more like a real tooth. They even come in shades to match your other teeth and their coloration. They are also good for people who have allergies to metals.

Bridges

Now that we have established what a crown is, let us now focus our attention on understanding what bridges are. In dentistry, bridges are used to define false teeth or a Pontiac that is literarily used to bridge the gaps between one or more missing teeth. A traditional bridge consists of a false tooth that is held in place by crowns placed on each side of the tooth. Hence a traditional bridge is a perfect solution for filling the gap between two natural teeth on both sides. However, there are other types as well including:

• Cantilever which is similar to the traditional bridge however the Pontiac is supported through a crown instead that is fixated to an abutment tooth. Hence if you have a missing gap next to just one natural tooth, then this bridge is the ideal choice.

• Implant-supported bridges, on the other hand, are as the name itself implies. For each missing tooth, an implant is added and these are then used to support the bridge.

• Lastly, the Maryland Bridge is a type where instead of crowns being placed on the abutment teeth, it, in fact, uses a framework that comprises of either metal or porcelain materials that are attached to the back of the abutment teeth.

Conclusion

This concludes our little guide regarding what you need to know about crowns and bridges. However, it should go without saying that your natural teeth are a marvel of nature and no amount of science or technology could ever replace them completely. Dental surgery is considered as the fourth most costly medical maneuvers across the globe. So start saving your smile today and keep your oral hygiene in pristine condition. It will help you save a lot of money in the future as well.