Dental Difference with Dental Crowns and Bridges
Drs. Anthony and David Markiewicz are high skilled in restorative dentistry including Dental Crowns and Bridges. Dental crowns are restorations that allow us to restore a damaged tooth to full function. When a tooth is too damaged to restore with a filling, a crown is often the restoration of choice to create a functional and aesthetic restoration. At Markiewicz Dental, we use only the highest quality local dental laboratories to create crowns/bridges that are both beautiful and functional. We also use advanced technologies, like 3D digital scanning impressions (no more goopy impressions!) and color matching spectrophotometers to create dental restorations that fit well and look good
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is used to entirely cover of “cap” a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can improve the appearance, color, shape, and alignment of the tooth. These crowns are cemented onto the existing tooth using a bio-compatible cement and can typically only be removed by a dentist.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is often a great solution to replace one or more missing teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth can eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a poor bite. Unlike dentures or partials, which can be removed, bridges are cemented to the natural teeth surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments.
What are dental crowns and bridges made out of?
Dental crowns and bridges can be made out of a variety of materials. At Markiewicz Dental, we use only the highest quality local dental laboratories. Because we care for your health, we also require our laboratories to certify the materials used in the restorations we place. We use only high noble metals in crowns and bridges that require metal sub-structures. We also frequently fabricate all-ceramic crowns that have no metal in them at all – these crowns and bridges are typically made out of a zirconia or e.max material. You will never find any toxic materials in crowns or bridges or any prosthesis that we place in your mouth.
What does the process look like to get a dental crown or bridge?
At Markiewicz Dental, dental crowns and bridges are typically a two-appointment process. At the first appointment, your dentist will remove any decay, fractures, or existing filling material from the tooth. He/she will then prepare the tooth for the crown, which involves smoothing all surfaces of the tooth – this creates the adequate space needed to fit the future crown on top. Once properly smoothed and prepared, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth and fabricate a custom temporary that will be cemented using temporary cement. At your second appointment, the permanent crown is tried-in and cemented using permanent cement.
Post-operative instructions following a crown or bridge procedure
Following a crown or bridge preparation appointment, numbness from the local anesthetic will likely last for a few hours. Try to avoid eating or drinking (particularly hot beverages) until the numbness begins wearing off to avoid any unnecessary trauma to your lips, cheek, or tongue.
You will likely have a provisional (or temporary) crown/bridge in place following your first visit. These provisional restorations are meant to be removed easily in a few weeks, which means there is a possibility it breaks or falls off prior to your next appointment. If your temporary crown/bridge falls off, you can try to fit it back into place, but always your dentist for guidance. To help keep your temporary in-place, avoid flossing in that area. Also, avoid eating anything sticky or crunchy on that tooth until the permanent crown is put into place.
Following a crown or bridge preparation appointment, it is common for the tooth to be sensitive or sore for a few days following the procedure. It is okay to take over-the-counter Tylenol or Advil to relieve symptoms. If you believe your symptoms are out-of-the-ordinary, do not hesitate to call your dentist.
