Dental crown and bridge are two different dental appliances that serve as artificial tooth or teeth replacements. These are offered at Prostho Dental Office in Singapore (https://prosthodentaloffice.com.sg/). If you are unsure about what best route to take to restore your perfect smile, then scroll down as we unload the information you need about a dental crown and bridge.
But first, why do we need a dental crown or bridge?
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we only get one set of permanent teeth. This means that when all of your baby teeth fall out and have been completely replaced by adult teeth, you cannot expect an additional set of teeth to emerge from underneath your gums. However, thanks to advancement in the dental field, a lost tooth is not irreplaceable. Yes, that sigh of relief is valid because you can confidently flash your set of teeth for the cameras again and eat your favorite food. So, do we get that winning smile back?
The first step to land your perfect smile is to find a dental practitioner that specializes in artificial teeth procedures. You do not have to look far and wide in Singapore as Prostho Dental Office can answer your needs.
Next, book a consultation to have your teeth assessed by a qualified dentist, like Dr Kelvin Khng. During your consultation, you can expect the following:
- Complete paperworks — If it is your first time at a clinic, you will be asked to complete some paperworks. This will require you to provide your basic information, such as your name, address, contact number, dental and health history. If you have an insurance card, be sure to bring this on your consultation day and every time you visit the dental clinic in the future. All information provided will be confidential and private.
- Go through a dental exam — After completing your paperworks, you will be asked to proceed to an examination room to undergo a dental exam. This may be done by a dental hygienist or the dentist. During this procedure, the dental practitioner will assess the health of your gums, teeth, jaw bone, and mouth. They will be taking notes of abnormalities present like gums that are receding, cracks, cavities, or damages in the tooth, and any pain that you feel during the examination. The result of this evaluation will help in tracking your dental health and planning for treatments that you may need.
- Undergo X-ray —Being asked to undergo X-ray is normal during a routine dental checkup, so do not jump to conclusions that your dental health is in critical condition. X-ray imaging actually helps dentists see the overall health of your teeth which can be invisible just by looking at them with the naked X-rays are helpful in assessing the health of your jawbones, which is very important especially when you are in need of artificial teeth like dental crowns and bridges that need to be mounted on dental implants.
Dental Crowns and Bridge: What are they and how do they work?
So, your dentist does an overall evaluation of your oral health and recommends getting a procedure done to replace your missing teeth. By doing so, not only will your smile be restored, but the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbones will be improved also.
What are the teeth replacement options? You ask.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are prosthetic dental devices that are fixed into your gums. This type of artificial tooth does the following:
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a tooth that is damaged, discolored, or abnormally shaped
- Get a bridge attached
- Improve the appearance or shape of a tooth
- Improve teeth alignment
- Strengthen damaged or fractured tooth
Dental crowns may be made from ceramic or porcelain. Crowns made from either of these materials can be customized to match the natural color of your surrounding teeth. There are also other materials that can be used for dental crowns, like acrylic, metal alloys, or gold. Dental crowns are fixed devices and cannot be removed once they are set in place.
Bridges
Like dental crowns, bridges are prosthetic dental devices. A bridge is made up of three or more dental crowns that are connected to each other. This dental appliance is usually recommended to replace a lost tooth or several missing teeth. Fixing a dental bridge in place of missing teeth will keep the remaining teeth in place, improving your bite.
To attach a bridge, the dental crowns of the bridge on both ends are usually cemented onto the two teeth located on each side of the gap needing an artificial tooth or teeth replacement. The crowns in between serve as the new teeth replacements. Dental bridges are usually made from ceramic or porcelain, which can be made to match your remaining teeth’s natural color.
Dental crowns vs Bridges: Which is better?
Getting confused about which dental appliance to choose for your replacement teeth is normal, especially when dental crowns and bridges work almost the same. To determine which is best, it is necessary that you take your teeth’s health and condition into full account.
Choose dental crowns if the tooth that needs fixing is either damaged, discolored, or fractured, but still functions well. Choose a bridge if you have one or more teeth missing or damaged that are beyond repair.
How often do dental crowns and bridges get replaced?
One of the best things about dental crowns of bridges is they can last for a very long time. But it does not mean that they cannot fall out or get broken. Of course, the longevity of the appliance will depend on how they are made and how well they are taken care of.
It is imperative that you choose a dental clinic that provides only the gold standard when it comes to materials used for dental crowns and bridges. The experience of the dentist performing the procedure also matters. Be sure to choose a dentist that is knowledgeable and has done a lot of successful procedures in fixing dental crowns and bridges.
The condition of your dental crown and bridge depends heavily on how you practice oral hygiene. Be sure to always keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing and visiting your dentist regularly.
Prostho Dental Office
101 Irrawaddy Road
#17-07 Royal Square Medical Center
Singapore 329565
https://prosthodentaloffice.com.sg
+65 6908 6909
+65 9759 2909