Dental Crowns and Bridges

Rejuvenate Your Smile with Dental Caps/Crowns and Bridges

Missing and damaged teeth are not only unattractive but also cause problems in chewing food and speaking. At World Smiles dental center, we can help you replace the missing teeth in many ways, dental crowns and bridges are one of them.

Dental Caps or Crowns are restorations which completely cover a natural tooth. (Encircles it completely) done to improve its strength and or appearance.

When are Dental caps needed?

1. To protect Root canal treated teeth
2. To strengthen broken down or decayed teeth.
3. To restore Excessively worn out teeth
4. To close gaps in between teeth
5. After Implant placement
6. For Esthetic Smile Improvement

 

Dental Bridge is nothing but 3 or more joint caps together used to close gaps because of missing teeth.

Thus, a bridge covers or bridges the gap formed by missing teeth. Just like a bridge you see on the road; a dental bridge also has pillars.  The pillars in this case are the teeth in your mouth, one in front of the missing space and one at the back of the missing tooth. Both the adjacent teeth are slightly shaped to receive the joint Bridge. 

Benefits of Bridge:

1. Prevent tilting of adjacent teeth 
2. Improves your chewing and biting efficiency
3. Restores the normal form and function of your teeth and face

How is the Procedure for dental caps and bridges is done?

The procedure to place a dental cap or bridge usually takes 3 appointments

1st appointment:

1. The teeth to receive a cap or bridge are anaesthetized (Made Numb).
2. This essentially makes you very comfortable and relaxed while we work and makes the entire process painless.
3. The teeth are reduced circumferentially in a little amount to provide space to receive a cap.
4. Once the shaping is done, measurements are made either digitally or in the conventional way to record the teeth.
5. Temporary caps are given to you at the very same appointment, so your teeth are covered right away and you walk out with a new smile.

2nd appointment:

1. At this appointment, the permanent cap/bridge trial is done. The trial is a critical step which many doctors ignore, but we at World Smiles dental center pay utmost attention to the minutest details to ensure you receive perfect work.
2. At this appointment the caps and bridges are checked for fit, biting efficiency, colour, shape, texture and overall look and appearance.
3. If any changes are deemed necessary, they are done in the clinic itself and once you approve of the comfort and looks, we finalize it and send it back to the lab for the final polishing.

3rd appointment:

It is usually a quick one where the final, shining caps which are customized to your mouth and liking are permanently fixed in your mouth with strong adhesive cements.

Once fixed, the caps or bridge usually never come out but in case they do by chance, you can give us a call immediately to have them fixed back again.

 

How do I take care of my caps and bridges?

While a tooth with a cap is no different from your natural tooth, still you need to be a little extra careful with your artificial teeth at all times to keep them nice and clean. Your small attention to oral hygiene will make them last for years and years to come.

Remember that simply because a tooth is capped does not mean the tooth cannot decay or cannot have gum problems

Therefore:

1. Maintain your oral hygiene by brushing regularly twice a day
2. Floss your teeth especially where you have the cap or bridge
3. Use an interdental brush or water flosser to clean the difficult to reach areas especially where the teeth meet the gums
4. Use a liquid mouth wash daily to keep the mouth plaque-free and prevent decay and gum problems
5. Avoid chewing onto very hard or sticky foods, biting fingernails or using your teeth to open packaging as it may cause your own cap to break or dislodge.
6. See your dentist at least twice a year to make sure everything is healthy and good.

 

Tips to Remember with Dental Crowns and Bridges

1. Maintain oral hygiene by regular brushing twice a day and flossing
2. Visit your dentist every 3 – 6 months.
3. Eat healthy foods like green vegetables, fruits and dairy products like milk, cheese.
4. Drink plenty of water before and after meals so the unwanted food particles are flushed out.
5. Limit the consumption of acidic foods and beverages like tea, coffee, fizzy drinks.
6. Limit the consumption of sticky foods like pizza, candies, chocolates etc.
7. Avoid biting fingernails, pen’s cap, pencils etc and avoid using your teeth to open bottles or to tear packets.