Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures can be fabricated – complete (when all teeth are missing) and partial (when some natural teeth are present in the mouth).
Crowns and bridges are forms of fixed prostheses for teeth. These cannot be removed and cleaned daily like dentures. These are cemented onto existing teeth or even implants and can only be removed by the dentist.
Crowns, also known as caps, fix and protect teeth that are so damaged or diseased that they need more support than just a simple filling. They are fabricated in such a way that they match the shape, size and colour of the surrounding teeth.
They are indicated for :
- Restoring fractured teeth
- Protecting teeth with deep, large restorations / root canal treated teeth
- Providing support to bridges
- Restoring adiscoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Covering a dental implant
Crown & Bridges
Bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are cemented to the natural teeth on either side of the empty space. Bridges can however, only be used to replace a small number of missing teeth and only if the adjacent teeth are healthy, also depending on the condition of the surrounding bone and gums.
This is a dental procedure that is used to restore the tooth’s shape and size. The dentist will remove any decay or damage and then cover the tooth with a crown, which is a cap that covers the entire tooth. Crowns are usually made of porcelain, metal or plastic. They can be fixed or removable, depending on what you need.
The dentist will also use fillings to repair any damage within the tooth. A bridge is another option for restoring teeth. It’s often used when one or more teeth are missing in an arch of teeth (a row of teeth). A bridge replaces these missing teeth with artificial ones that are attached to your natural teeth on either side of the gap.
Crowns and bridges are used to cover up a tooth that has been knocked out or broken in some way. Crowns are used to cover the entire visible part of the tooth while bridges are used to fill the gap between two teeth.
Crowns and bridges can be made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of both materials. Porcelain crowns are more durable than gold crowns but they can chip if they come into contact with hard surfaces. Gold crowns on the other hand, can last for decades but they have a tendency to discolor over time due to their metal composition.
The dental material that is used for both crowns and bridges is determined by what is available at the dentist’s office when you need it.