Bridges

When teeth are missing the most popular way of restoring them is the bridge. A bridge is comprised of crowns on existing teeth and pontics in place of the missing teeth. Bridges are both strong and asthetic. Crowns replace teeth that are badly decayed, broken, missing or discolored. Crowns and Bridgework are not removable like complete or partial dentures. They are cemented in the mouth by your dentist. Crowns may be made of gold or silver alloys. Some are all metal, some have porcelain baked onto the metal, some are all porcelain, and others are made of composite material. To make a crown your dentist reduces the size of the tooth needing a crown using specialized instruments. (The new crown will fit right over the old tooth.) An impression is taken along with a representation of how your upper and lower jaws come together.

The color (shade) for porcelain crowns and bridges will also be determined by matching your remaining natural teeth. The shade, impression and bite registration are sent to the dental laboratory for a crown to be made. A model (mold) is made from the impression. A wax representation of the metal portion of the crown is carved by hand. The "lost wax" technique is used to process the wax into metal. During this process the wax is melted away and heated metal is placed where the wax once was.
After the metal crown is finished, if the crown is to be just metal, it is ready to go to the dentist and placed in the patient's mouth. If the crown is to have porcelain placed on it may have layers of powdered porcelain baked on before it is sent to the dentist. Sometimes a "try-in" of the metal part without porcelain on it may be done to check for any necessary adjustments. Once any final adjustments are made to the completed crown, your dentist will cement the crown in place.
All-porcelain crowns are made by layering powdered porcelains which are baked in an oven to fuse the porcelain together. These completed crowns are also cemented in place by your dentist.

How to Care for Your Crown or Bridge

Brush and floss diligently the teeth and gum areas around the edges of your crown or bridge. Use a small, tapered head toothbrush to reach hard-to-clean areas.
If the crown or bridge should come out, do not try to put it back on the tooth. Call your dentist and bring it with you when you have an appointment. In the meantime, continue cleaning the area as usual by brushing and flossing.
Don't chew ice cubes, olive pits, hard candy or any other foods of this nature as these can cause crowns or bridges to fracture.

IMPORTANT:
Don't try to adjust or refit your crown yourself. Always contact your dentist
immediately if there is any change in the comfort of your crown.