Crowns & Bridges

Examining and preparing the tooth:

1. At the first visit in preparation for a crownx-rays may be taken of the tooth receiving the crown to check the roots and surrounding bone structure. If the tooth has extensive decay or if there is a risk of infection or injury to the tooth’s pulp, a root canal treatment may be performed.
2. The tooth and the surrounding gum tissue will be anaesthetised and the tooth reshaped along the chewing surface and sides to make room for the crown. The amount removed depends on the type of crown used. If, on the other hand, a large area of the tooth is missing a filling material will be used to “build up” the tooth to support the crown.
3. After reshaping the tooth, a digital impression or mouldwill be taken.  Impressions of the teeth above and below the tooth will also be made to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite.
4. The impressions or scans are sent to a dental laboratory where the crown will be manufactured. If the crown is made of porcelain, your dentist will also select the shade that most closely matches the colour of the neighbouring teeth.
5. During this first office a temporary crown will be made to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being produced. Temporary crowns are usually made of acrylic and are held in place using a temporary cement.
6. Fitting the permanent crown – at the second visit, the temporary crown will be removed and the fit and colour of the permanent crown will be checked. If everything is acceptable the new crown is permanently cemented in place.

Onlays and 3/4 crowns are variations of dental crowns. The “traditional” crown covers the entire tooth; onlays and 3/4 crowns cover the underlying tooth to a lesser extent.

On average, dental crowns last between five and 15 years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of wear and tear the crown is exposed to and the individual’s oral hygiene practices.  You may be advised to avoid such habits as grinding or clenching your teeth, biting fingernails, and using your teeth to open packaging.

If you have a tooth that has significant damage or a weakened structure, a crown can help support that tooth and prevent further decay, preserving your natural tooth for the future. Crowns can also improve the appearance of a tooth that is chipped or stained, restoring the tooth to its usual shape and colour.

There are two main types of dental bridge.

• The most common type consists of two crowns, made of porcelain or metal, which are permanently bonded to your natural teeth either side of the space, with the false tooth (or teeth) in the middle.
• If the teeth either side of your missing teeth are strong and healthy, you may be able to have an adhesive bridge. An adhesive bridge is a false tooth with ‘wings’ either side of it. These wings are bonded to the inner surfaces of the supporting teeth. This avoids the need to prepare the neighbouring teeth for full coverage crowns.

For the replacement of missing teeth, especially incisors and canine teeth, fibre-reinforced composite resin bridges are an alternative to conventional fixed dental bridge or implants. It is a minimally invasive, reversible technique that can be completed in a single visit.

Fibre-reinforced composite resin bridges preserve the maximum possible amount of tooth substance, which helps to conserve dental hard tissues for any further possible treatments. In most cases single-visit treatment is possible.

Fibre-reinforced composite resin bridges can be a less expensive, painless treatment option, unlike an implant or fixed dental bridge.