One question that dentists receive a lot is: what is the difference between a dental crown and a dental bridge? Dental crowns and dental bridges are both designed to restore broken or missing teeth, but they are certainly not the same. Keep reading to learn the differences between dental crowns and dental bridges and how they can help improve or restore your smile.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are mainly used for the following cases:
• To protect a tooth that has been weakened (by decay or otherwise)
• To stabilize a partially broken tooth
• To repair a completely broken or deteriorated tooth
• To strengthen a tooth that has had a root canal treatment
• To strengthen a tooth that has been overfilled
• To repair a severely malformed or discolored tooth
• To dress a dental implant
• To anchor a dental bridge in place
Local anesthesia is used to ensure that the patient does not feel any pain and the procedure itself is very simple. Generally, the first thing to do will be to prepare the tooth. This may include removing or retracting part of the tooth on which the crown will be installed to ensure there is sufficient space. At this stage, a temporary crown may be placed while waiting for the permanent crown to be prepared. This is often the case with a metal crown.
Dental bridges
The dental bridge creates a bond between two teeth by filling the empty space between them, which was once a healthy tooth. Like the dental crown, the dental bridge should last for a very long time, usually about 15 years or more.
Dental bridges restore smiles to individuals who have lost their teeth for any reason, while ensuring the restoration of chewing and speaking. The bridge also helps to reallocate the pressure and force of the bite evenly, and maintain the shape of the face.
Why the confusion?
The confusion as to the difference between dental crowns and dental bridges is possibly due to the fact that the dental bridge procedure requires the use of dental crowns. As with the crown, the procedure for the placement of the dental bridge begins with adequate preparation for the patient’s needs. At this stage, a very thin layer of enamel is removed from both teeth to make room for the location of a dental crown on each.
As mentioned above, the crown is made from an impression that is obtained during this preparation step. A synthetic tooth is also created from the dimensions that the dentist measures. While awaiting the creation of crowns and tooth aesthetically, a temporary bridge could be used.
Once the crowns and synthetic tooth are ready the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent bridge is put in place. The bridge, in fact, consists of two dental crowns and the synthetic tooth; the bridge is then a single large prosthesis and not three individual prostheses.
It is important to know that it is sometimes necessary to make several visits to the dental clinic to obtain the perfect fit. It is possible, depending on the case, that the dentist will not anchor the dental bridge at the first cost but use a temporary “glue” to give the patient a chance to adjust and ensure that he or she is satisfied with it. the bridge. Once satisfied, the bridge is anchored in place permanently.
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