Dental Crowns & Bridges
Boronia Heights

A crown is a protective cap that is placed onto a tooth that has decayed or otherwise damaged. They are shaped like a tooth, and are suitable for applications where a tooth cannot be saved by a filling treatment. They can also be used for badly discoloured teeth, or to hold bridges in place.

In order to place the crown on top of a tooth, the tooth or teeth in question must first be filed down and shaped. If too much of the tooth is already missing or decayed, additional treatments such as re-shaping or root canal therapy may be needed if the cavity is deep and reaches the pulp tissue. This is done to create a strong foundation for the crown. A post and core can also be fitted after root canal therapy to serve as an anchor for the crown fitting.
Unlike other prostheses such as dentures, crowns may only be removed by dentists as they are cemented onto existing teeth or implants.

Your permanent crown will be made to order and fabricated by a laboratory. Prefabricated crowns can be used as temporary placeholders until a permanent one is made to best suit your needs. For permanent crowns, a mold of your teeth will be taken to keep their natural shape when fabricating the prosthesis.

There are a variety of different materials used, and each have their benefits. As with fillings, the location of a crown that needs fitting can help determine if all-metal, or porcelain fused to metal (PFM) and ceramic crowns would be more aesthetically pleasing as the latter more closely match the natural colour of teeth.

The biggest factor in needing to replace crowns is good oral hygiene. Crowns are usually very resistant to wear and grinding, however cavities and other damage to the tooth underneath may require a replacement crown fitting. They can last anywhere from 7 years, upwards to 40 years.

Our dentists will only recommend getting a crown after proper examination and consideration of your circumstances. Some of the main reasons crown fittings are done include:

• Replacing a tooth that has previously suffered severe decay or damage.
• As a support for regular dental restoration procedures such as fillings.
• If a tooth is fractured, or to protect teeth from further fracturing.
• To cover misshapen or discoloured teeth for an aesthetically pleasing result.
• Serve as anchors for dental bridges if multiple teeth need work.

When a crown is fitted onto a tooth that has undergone a root canal, there should not be any discomfort. When a crown is fitted onto a tooth which hasn’t had a root canal, the nerve of the tooth may still be intact, and you may experience sensitivity to cold. However, if there is any pain when biting, the crown may be fitted too high, and should be readjusted. The adjustment process is simple and is performed at the clinic.

If a crown is fitted using PFM (porcelain fused to metal), a dark thin line close to the gumline may be visible, although this should not be of any concern unless it is visible on crowns fitted on the front teeth.

Although the tooth is protected by the crown fitting, the gums are still vulnerable, and as always it is recommended to brush and floss regularly to maintain good oral health.

Porcelain crowns can be susceptible to chipping. If this happens, the dentist may put it back together using a bonding agent. However, if the chipping happens frequently, a replacement crown may be needed.

A crown may also become loose and fall out after a period of use. This could be due to the cement being washed out over time, or the crown being improperly fitted. If a crown does fall out, make sure to keep it safe in a container and bring it to the clinic. These can be re-fitted onto the tooth as a temporary fix until a new crown is made. It is important to remember not to try to fit the crown back in by yourself.

If you have a loose-fitting or broken crown, please contact the clinic to schedule a visit for a replacement. If you have any crowns previously fitted, inform our dentists during your regular check-ups and we’ll examine them to ensure they are fitted correctly.

Like other dental prosthetics, bridges can be made from gold, alloys or porcelain and depending on the location of the teeth, different materials may be considered. As crowns will most likely be needed, considerations for the area to be treated, the aesthetic requirements, and the overall cost will all factor into choosing the most suitable material for your crowns and bridges. While metals and alloys are generally more resistant and last longer, ceramics or porcelain is a popular choice for missing teeth as it retains the teeth’s natural colour.

Bridges are beneficial for restorative dentistry, and also help to prevent further problems which can arise from missing teeth, such as teeth slowly shifting out of position over time.

• Restoring an even bite to properly distribute the forces in your teeth.
• Giving the ability to speak and bite into food with more ease and less discomfort.
• Maintaining the structural integrity of your jaw, and preventing remaining teeth from misalignment.
• Restoring your smile and giving it a natural look.

Once in place, dental bridges can last for many years as long as it is properly maintained and routinely monitored at the clinic. By having your bridge cleaned at your regular dental checkups, you reduce the risk of developing any inflammation of the gums.

Having a bridge installed is similar to having a crown fitted. The procedure will have to be done over several appointments. After an examination of your teeth, x-rays will be taken if necessary to determine if any of the teeth involved in the bridge will require any restorative dental treatment such as root canal therapy.

To start off, the dentist will begin shaping the teeth that will have crowns fitted onto them. To do so, the enamel of the abutment teeth (the ones on either end of the bridge) will be removed in preparation for the crown fittings. Impressions of your teeth will have to be taken in order for the crowns and bridge to be seated perfectly, and a temporary bridge will be made to be worn while a permanent one is being custom fabricated at the laboratory.

At the next scheduled appointment, the temporary bridge will be replaced with the new permanent prosthesis. Regular follow ups will also be scheduled to ensure the bridge is properly fitted onto the teeth in order to prevent any further infections or decay.

Good oral hygiene is essential to keeping your new permanent bridge in place. The leading cause of having to return to the clinic for repeat procedures is inadequate oral hygiene practices. The development of cavities and inflammation of the gums can cause your bridge to fail, requiring a replacement after further treatment.

Caring for your bridge as if it were your permanent teeth is an effective way to prolong its lifespan. It is also important to come in for regular check-ups to have your teeth and bridges cleaned by our oral hygienists and examined for early signs of wear and tear.