Crowns and Bridges

When the tooth structure has become weakened with decay or an existing filling is very large and deteriorated, a dental crown may be necessary to protect the tooth.
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Crowns

A crown, or porcelain crown, is a cap, cover or restoration to replace the missing portion of a tooth.

There are many indications for crowning a tooth. These can be due to aesthetic considerations but mostly a lack of remaining tooth structure. If a tooth is broken down or heavily filled, the crown is placed to protect the tooth from the high biting forces we exert on our teeth whilst eating.

Not all crowns are the same and we provide gold crowns, porcelain bonded to gold crowns at our London and Manchester clinics as well as the latest in the metal free alternatives that give truly lifelike results.

The latest advances in porcelain allows light to transmit through the crown, thereby creating a restoration that is undetectable from the other natural teeth in your smile. With the absence of any metal core on the inside of the crown, there will be no more telltale grey lines that are usually seen with the older metal ceramic crowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know I need a crown?

When a tooth is heavily filled, has lost a lot of tooth structure, or has become weakened for any reason, the tooth is likely to need a crown. The weakened tooth is shaped and prepared in order for the crown to be placed on top of it.

This crown is usually made from casted metal and porcelain. Gold crowns are the strongest type, but are not as aesthetically pleasing as porcelain crowns. The crown acts to protect the underlying tooth structure and prevent it from fracturing.

I have had a root canal, do I need a crown?

Teeth that have had root canal treatment will have become weaker and are at greater risk of fracture. It is always recommended to have crown placed on a tooth which has had root canal treatment.

Will the tooth crown match the colour of my other teeth?

Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials. If gold is chosen (for its strength properties), it will appear gold in the mouth. If porcelain is chosen, we will always endeavour to match it to your natural tooth shade.

How long will a crown last?

A permanent crown can last between five and 15 years, depending on your habits, lifestyle and oral care routine. Teeth grinding can put pressure on a crown, leading to cracks and possible damage.

How shall I look after my crown?

You can treat your crown like a normal tooth. While it does not require any particular care, remember that it acts as a sleeve over the top of your natural tooth and so decay and gum disease can still occur without a good oral health routine. When flossing, try to pull the floss through your teeth rather than upwards – sometimes pulling up and out can catch on your crown and contribute to wear and tear.

Bridges

If you require a more extensive restoration than a crown a good solution is a bridge.

Bridges are usually made of a precious metal base which gives them a solid structure and makes them hard-wearing. If you need a bridge in your smile line, porcelain is usually added to the base to make it look more like real teeth.

A bridge helps to strengthen the prepared teeth and makes chewing and eating easier because they are fixed and can’t come out.

Some bridges can also be fixed to your jaw with dental implants, if you have several teeth next to each other that are missing.

Once you have a bridge fitted, you will have to take extra care of your daily hygiene regime to ensure it stays plaque free and that you can prevent bad breath.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why might I need a bridge?
A bridge is a replacement for one or more missing teeth. It is a good solution if you don’t have many missing teeth, or if your missing teeth are all on one side of your mouth.
What is a bridge?
A bridge is made up of two or more crowns that fit to teeth on either side of the gap, which serve as anchors, along with a false tooth in-between. A bridge will support the false tooth or teeth, and reduce the susceptibility of remaining teeth to decay and gum disease.
How is a bridge fitted?

An impression will be taken of your mouth, from which a plaster model will be built of your teeth and gums to enable your dentist to understand how your teeth bite together. Your teeth will then be prepared so that the bridge will fit: the teeth either side of the gap need to be reduced in size to fit the fixings and accommodate the bridge comfortably.

A second impression of your teeth is taken and used to build a bridge that looks natural and matches your mouth exactly.

The bridge will be made from metal, porcelain or a combination of both, and the replacement tooth that’s fixed between your bridge will be colour-matched to the rest of your teeth. While your bridge is being made, your dentist may fit a temporary bridge or crown to protect the exposed gum and teeth.

When the bridge is ready, it will be fitted making sure it is comfortable before it is fixed in place.

How do I look after my bridge?
You will need to clean your bridge and the false tooth or teeth it supports every day. Your dentist will show you how to use a bridge needle or special floss to ensure your bridge is thoroughly clean. To prevent damage, it’s best to avoid chewing hard foods and ice. By taking good care of your bridge, you can ensure it will last for many years.