Restorative

Crowns and Bridges

Dental Crowns

A dental crown usually requires two separate appointments in addition to your consultation. During the first, your teeth will be professionally cleaned, and the affected tooth will be prepared for the crown. This could involve filing it down a little so that the crown fits over the top without looking abnormally large. In the case of an undersized tooth, it may be necessary to build the tooth up a little, so it supports the crown. Preparation is done using local anesthetic where necessary. Once the tooth is ready, impressions will be taken which will be used to create your custom-designed crown. A temporary version will be fitted until you return to have your permanent crown fitted, usually around a week later.

Am I A Candidate For A Dental Crown?

Before you can get a dental crown, your dentist will first want to make sure that it is the most appropriate restoration for your needs. Typically, someone who is a good candidate for a dental crown has:

A tooth that is cracked or broken.

Crowns are one of the best methods of restoring a cracked or broken tooth since it completely covers the tooth, holding it together. This essentially restores the strength of the tooth, as well as its shape and overall appearance. This will enable you to use it fully once more.

A tooth that is severely decayed.

Very large areas of decay can’t usually be successfully filled using a cavity filling alone, not least because the integrity of the tooth is often compromised. This puts it at far greater risk of damage in the future. When a crown is placed over the top, it restores the strength and function of the tooth.

A tooth that’s eroded or abnormally small.

Crowns can also be used to build up the size of teeth that appear smaller than they should be, making them just as cosmetic as they are functional.

Had root canal treatment.

If you have previously had an infection that has resulted in root canal treatment, you’ll probably be given a crown once the infection clears. This is because the root canal weakens the tooth, making it more susceptible to future damage. A crown gives it an additional layer of protection, helping it to last longer.

Dental implants.

Crowns are also used as the visible element of a dental implant, attached to a titanium post that is inserted into your jawbone and acts as an anchor for the restoration. However, getting dental implants is an invasive surgery for the replacement of missing teeth. If you feel that you would benefit from dental implants, it’s important that you speak to our dental team.

Bridges

Dental bridges are a very popular restorative dentistry solution that can be used to replace multiple teeth that are missing or require extraction. This could be because of severe decay or gum disease, or due to damage sustained by trauma such as a blow to the mouth.

The basic design of a dental bridge is a false tooth, which sits in the gap left by the missing tooth, and crowns on either side. These crowns sit over the top of the healthy adjacent teeth, securing the restoration in place.

Dental Bridge Procedure

The process to get a dental bridge usually requires several appointments. This is so that impressions can be taken to design your artificial teeth and crowns and to prepare adjacent teeth to receive the crowns that will support your bridge.

If you are having crowns placed over the abutment teeth, they may need to be filed down a little so that the crowns fit properly.

Impressions of your teeth will be used to create your bridge, which will be made in the perfect shape and size to fit into the available space.

A temporary bridge will be placed over the abutment teeth to protect them while your bespoke permanent bridge is being made.

Finally, you’ll return to have your temporary restoration removed and your permanent bridge checked for fit, and then secured into place.

If you are having a dental implant bridge, you’ll need to have your implants placed first. Your dental implant dentist will talk you through what you can expect from this fairly extensive process.

Am I A Candidate For A Dental Bridge?

Before you can be approved for a dental bridge, you’ll first have to attend a consultation with your dentist who will assess your teeth and mouth to discover if a bridge is the most appropriate solution for you. Typically, people who are good candidates for a dental bridge:

• Are missing between one and four consecutive teeth.
• Have lost these teeth or require them to be extracted as a result of severe decay or trauma.
• Are struggling to bite and chew their food normally because of the gap in their teeth.
• Are finding that their missing teeth are affecting their ability to speak.

Your dentist will also need to feel assured that the teeth on either side of the gap that will support your bridge are healthy and strong enough to do so. This is because, over time, the bridge can place a significant amount of pressure onto them. If the teeth adjacent to where you need the bridge aren’t strong or healthy enough, you may need to consider a different solution, like an implant-supported bridge instead.

Other Restorative Procedures

Fillings

Teeth fillings are the most common type of dental restorations, with millions being placed every single year. Fillings are used to treat areas of dental decay, in which plaque that is allowed to form on the teeth releases acids that eat away at the enamel, causing irreversible damage to the tooth. While the tooth will not be able to repair itself, it is possible to treat the decay and prevent any further damage to the tooth. A filling is the easiest and often the most effective treatment to do this.

Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafting is a procedure that is used to increase the amount of bone in the jaw. This bone may have deteriorated or been lost as a result of trauma, tooth extraction, or a tooth falling out due to decay or disease.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding, which is also known as composite bonding, is a very simple and effective cosmetic procedure that can cover any imperfections in the way that your teeth look and restore your confidence in your smile.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing are non-surgical procedures for deep cleaning the gum tissues. They are treatments that dentists use to remove plaque, tartar, and calculus, which is calcified plaque, from under the gumline. They are the standard procedures that stop the progression of gum disease. Scaling refers to the removal of built-up calculus. On the other hand, root planing is the process of smoothening the roots of your teeth to prevent the re-accumulation of plaque and tartar.