| Crown and Bridgework
Dental crowns, commonly known as 'dental caps', are dental restorations which encase a tooth and are cemented in place. Indications for a dental crown are usually for a broken down or decayed tooth. The dentist will use a crown to restore a tooth to a cosmetically pleasing appearance and strengthen the tooth.
As the illustration above indicates: 1) a tooth presents with a large cavity or broken portion of tooth structure. This tooth is vulnerable to further decay and fracture. 2) the dentist will 'prepare' or shape the tooth for a crown. In preparing the tooth, the dentist will incorporate resistance and retention features in order for the crown to stay in place. These features vary in every tooth and are determined by the type of bite you have. An impression of the prepared tooth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory for processing. 3) a crown is then fabricated in the dental laboratory with instruction from the dentist such as type of crown and shade or color of the tooth. The crown is then cemented in place by the dentist. A temporary crown is placed while the laboratory is constructing the crown.
Other uses for dental crowns include strengthening a tooth with an existing large filling, restoring a tooth to its original position or improving the cosmetic appearance of a tooth. Dental fillings have an advantage of conservation of tooth structure. However, when a filling is too large as to undermine the durability of a tooth, a crown is used to strengthen the tooth. Filling materials may also stain a tooth over time. In combination of a filling material being too large and staining from a filling, a dental crown is a great alternative to salvage a tooth and restore it to its original position. The advantage of a dental crown is that when a mold of your tooth is made from the impression taken, easier manipulation of tooth position can be established.
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