CROWNS AND BRIDGES

WHAT IS A CROWN?

A crown is commonly called a cap. It may be thought of as a ‘cover’ as it covers, or replaces, that part of the tooth seen in the mouth.

WHY DO A CROWN?

A crown can be done for many reasons. Most often, it is done when a tooth is

·       Badly decayed or chipped

·       Discoloured or mis-shaped

chipped and discoloured teeth

 

HOW IS A CROWN DONE?

To put it simply, the tooth is trimmed to make space for the final crown. Moulds are then taken of this tooth for a custom-made crown to be made in a laboratory according to your dentist’s instructions. When the crown is ready, it is slipped over the tooth and firmly cemented in place.

 

WHAT IS A BRIDGE?

A bridge is a special kind of denture when the artificial tooth is fixed to natural teeth next to it (often by means of crowns). A bridge is compact and feels like natural teeth but it can only be done in specially selected cases.

WHAT IS A CROWN MADE OF?

It can be made of porcelain or metal or combinations of gold alloys and porcelain. Special types of glass and plastics can also be used. Your dentist will choose the material best suited for your case.

porcelain crown

metal crown

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY CROWN?

Carefully daily brushing and flossing are essential to keep the gums around the crown healthy. Also don’t crack ice, bones etc. as this may chip the porcelain. Regular check-ups by your dentist are also necessary. Remember, crowns and bridges are only as good as they are maintained.

WHY ARE CROWNS & BRIDGES EXPENSIVE?

Crowns & bridges are long-term restorations. Making them requires the considerable skill and time of your dentist and a technician working in a specially equipped laboratory. The crown itself is often made of precious metals. When you pay for your crown, you’re paying for all these.

冠与固定桥--CROWNS AND BRIDGES

什么是冠？

冠俗称盖，其功能是覆盖或取代萌露在口中的那部分牙齿。

为什么要作冠？

作冠的原因有好几点，最普遍的原因是当一颗牙齿：

• 已高度龋蚀或破损。
• 染有色渍或拥有畸形牙齿。

如何制冠？

简单来说，切磨牙齿让出空间以容纳作好的冠（图二）。取模后，技工依照牙齿指示在模型上作出一个定制的冠，完成后把冠套上（图三）而后粘固（图四）牙面上。

冠是由什么制成的？

他可能是由烤瓷或金属，也可能是金属合金和烤瓷的混合物制成的。也有用特制的玻璃和塑料。您的牙医会依照你的情况选择最适合的材料来制造。

什么是固定桥？

它是一种特别的假牙，将人造牙固定在隔邻的自然牙上。牙桥是结实型的，所以感觉上与自然牙无异。固定桥只用于适应症列。

冠的护理

每日注意刷牙和使用牙线。同时也要保持牙冠周围的牙龈健康。不可咬啃冰块，鸡骨和蟹壳。因为这样会损坏烤瓷，请记得，冠与固定桥的效用是靠个人的细心护理。

为什么冠和固定桥如此昂贵？

冠和固定桥是长期性的修复体，其制作过程占了牙医和特备技工室里的技术相当多的技能和时间。冠通常是用贵金属制作的。所以你所支付的费用里，就包括了以上所提各项。

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WHAT IS A CROWN?

A crown is commonly called a cap. It may be thought of as a “cover” as it covers, or replaces, that part of the tooth seen in the mouth.

WHY DO A CROWN?

A crown can be done for many reasons. Most often, it is done when a tooth is

Badly decayed or chipped

Discoloured or mis-shaped

HOW IS A CROWN DONE?

To put it simply, the tooth is trimmed to make space for the final crown. (fig.2) Moulds are then taken of this tooth for a custom-made crown to be made in a laboratory according to your dentist’s instructions. When the crown is ready, it is slipped over the tooth (fig.3) and firmly cemented in place. (fig.4)

WHAT IS A BRIDGE?

A bridge is a special kind of denture where the artificial tooth is fixed to natural teeth next to it (often by means of crowns) See figs 5 & 6. A bridge is compact and feels like natural teeth but it can only be done in specially selected cases.

WHAT IS A CROWN MADE OF?

It can be made of porcelain or metal or combinations of gold alloys and porcelain. Special types of glass and plastics can also be used. Your dentist will choose the material best suited for your case.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY CROWN?

Careful daily brushing and flossing are essential to keep the gums around the crown healthy. Also don’t crack ice, bones etc. as this may chip the porcelain. Regular check-ups by your dentist are also necessary. Remember, crowns and bridges are only as good as they are maintained.

WHY ARE CROWNS & BRIDGES EXPENSIVE?

Crowns & bridges are long-term restorations. Making them requires the considerable skill and time of your dentist and a technician working in a specially equipped laboratory. The crown itself is often made of precious metals. When you pay for your crown, you’re paying for all these.

Replacement of missing teeth

Basically there are three methods to replace missing teeth,

1.      Denture
2.      Bridge
3.      Implant

Denture

There are 2 types of denture:

• Acrylic denture- a removable appliance with the whole appliance is made of plastic and primarily uses the gums (full denture) or teeth and gums(partial denture) for support

Removable partial denture

Full acrylic denture

  

• Chrome denture- an appliance that is removable, has a metal framework with plastic teeth added to the framework and this uses the other teeth and gums for support.

Removable partial chrome denture

Advantages

1.      Most economic

2.      Simple procedure

3.      Treatment duration: Short 1 – 3 weeks

4.      Easy to take care and maintain (removable)

5.      Easy to adjust, repair

Disadvantages

1.      Feel like not real (fake teeth) – removable

2.      Big and bulky-uncomfortable

3.      Easily worn off & stained-acrylic/plastic teeth

4.      Easy to trap food

5.      Easily break

6.      Chewing food not the same as the natural teeth

Bridge

A fixed bridge uses the adjacent teeth around the space to support a false tooth to replace the missing teeth

Advantages

2.      Highly aesthetic –multiple shade to select                                   

3.      Comfortable – No palate or lower ridge coverage

4.      Strong, durable-made from porcelain

5.      Chewing food almost as real as natural teeth

Disadvantages

1.      Price: Moderate

2.      Complexity: Simple to complex

3.      Treatment duration: Medium 2 – 3 weeks

4.      The adjacent teeth required to be reduced in size for support

5.      Easily trap food under the bridge

6.      Maintenance: Difficult (Required to floss under the bridge)

7.      No suitable for all the case
 

Implant

Dental Implants are replacements for your tooth roots.  A Titanium post is placed in the bone and a crown is attached to the new root to replace the missing teeth.

Advantages

1.      Feel like real teeth – porcelain is sitting on the implant

2.      Highly aesthetic – multiple shade to select

3.      Comfortable – No palate or lower ridge coverage

4.      Strong, durable – teeth is made from porcelain

5.      Does not involve the adjacent teeth

6.      Food trap: very minimal

7.      Maintenance: simple to take care

8.      Can replace missing teeth in edentulous and free end saddle

9.      Chewing food almost as real as natural teeth

Disadvantages

1.      Price: Expensive

2.      Complexity: Complex – required good planning

3.      Duration of treatment: Long 3 – 6 months

4.      Required to undergo minor oral surgery

5.      Required sinus augmentation, bone harvesting if not enough bone height for implant insertion

6.      Higher risk of failure in smoker, diabetic and medically compromised patient

7.      Risk of injuring other structure during implant insertion: ID nerve, antrum (depend location of implant)

Is dental implantation a successful way of replacing missing teeth?

Improved Appearance

Shrinkage jawbone happen continuous after losing teeth and it make us look older. However, dental implants can usually slow or stop ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone process. Since denture sit on the top of jawbone and gums, continuous shrinkage of jawbone happen.

Improved Comfort

Dental implants often eliminate the pain and discomfort of removable full or partial dentures. Slipping or rocking of the dentures result from shrinkage of jawbone from time to time. Implant supported replacement teeth are closer to natural teeth because they are anchored securely to your jawbone.

  

Eat Better

Dental implants can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth. Unlike dentures they do not move when you chew on them. This usually allows you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain. Full coverage of palate in a full upper denture reduced the taste of food while implant can eliminate it. So, we can better taste and enjoy our food. 

Convenience

You will no longer need to cover your mouth when you laugh, for fear that your denture could pop out. They'll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues

Protect Your Remaining Natural Teeth

Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. A significant long-term benefit to your oral health if more of your tooth left untouched

Reliable

The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement. 

Enjoy life without worrying about your missing teeth.

Eat what you want!

Smile as broadly as you’d like!

Laugh out loud!