Dental Crowns and Bridges
Crowns
A dental crown is a restoration that covers a prepared tooth or is attached to a dental implant. It may be considered when a tooth has been weakened, extensively restored, fractured or treated with root-canal therapy, or where a crown is required as part of an implant restoration.
A crown covers part or most of a prepared tooth. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth using support from adjacent teeth or implants. The choice of treatment depends on the condition of the teeth, gums, bone, bite and alternative options.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. Depending on its design, it may be supported by natural teeth, dental implants or a combination of supports. Preparing supporting teeth may be required for some bridge designs.
Importance of replacement of missing tooth and/or teeth.
The effect of a missing tooth varies. Possible options include monitoring without immediate replacement, a removable denture, a dental bridge or an implant-supported restoration.
Options to Replace
- Dentures
- Fixed Bridges
- Implant supported crowns or bridges. (Medisave claimable)
Success rate
The lifespan of a bridge varies tremendously, depending upon numerous factors present in different people. The service life of a crown or bridge varies. Factors include the condition of the supporting tooth or implant, bite forces, oral hygiene, gum health, material, restoration design, diet, smoking, grinding or clenching and attendance for maintenance
Advantages of Crown and Bridges
- Depending on the clinical situation, a crown may help restore the form of a heavily restored or damaged tooth. A bridge may replace one or more missing teeth without being removable by the patient. Crowns and bridges do not replicate natural teeth exactly.
- No or only slight movement during function ( depending on the health of the supporting tooth/ teeth)
- Treatment usually requires assessment and planning, preparation or implant-stage procedures where applicable, impressions or digital scans, a provisional restoration in some cases, fitting of the final restoration and review. Timing varies.
- Treatment cost is affordable
- More extensive treatment planning may be required when multiple teeth, the bite or several restorations are involved.
- Protection of weakened tooth (e.g. large restorations done or root canal treated tooth)
What is the process of Crowns and Bridges treatment?
- Pre-treatment evaluation and Treatment Planning.
- a. Examination & Diagnosis
- b. X-ray, OPG or CT for more complex cases) and U/L Study models
- Laboratory and treatment time varies according to the restoration, material, number of teeth and clinical stages required. A provisional restoration may be considered in selected cases.
- a. local anaesthesia only
- b. Preparation of the supporting tooth/teeth 45 to 60 min per supporting tooth.
- c. Cementation of the Temporary Crown and Bridges with Temporary cement.
- Crown Placement 2 weeks later
- a. Removal of temporary crown.
- b. Trial fit for the final crown. Proper bite, contact, aesthetics, and margin are checked.
- c. Cementation of the final crown with permanent cement.
- Crowns and Bridges maintenance every 6 months.
For full mouth rehabilitation ( Full months Crowns and Bridges). A mouthguard is strongly recommended.
Suitability for Crown and Bridges.
- Medical Health.eg. Diabetes, reduced body resistance
- Dental Health. e.g. Periodontal health, Bruxism
- Social Health e.g. Smoking
How long to wait after extraction?
Depends on the degree of difficulty of the extraction, presence of infection, bone quality and quantity.
- Immediately restored with Temporary Replacement Prostheses.
- 1 to 3 months after extraction. Temporary Replacement Prostheses may be requested while the wound site is healing.
Ensure that no patients leave the clinic with MISSING TEETH at all times.
How long will I have to wait until I get my teeth?
Temporary Crowns and Bridges will be cemented on the prepared tooth/ teeth and the final Permanent Crowns and Bridges will be ready within 2 weeks from when extraction is not involved.
Is it Painful?
Local anaesthesia is commonly used during tooth preparation. Patients may experience temporary sensitivity or gum soreness. The expected procedure, discomfort and aftercare will be discussed before treatment.
Pre-Crown and Bridges Precaution?
Assessment before treatment: the dentist will assess the supporting teeth, gums, bite and oral hygiene. Existing decay, gum inflammation or other conditions may need to be managed first.
Post-Crowns and Bridges Care
- Proper oral hygiene habits
- Soft diet
- Mouthguard if the patient is a bruxer( grinding of teeth) or a full mouth rehabilitation case.
How soon can I eat and function after my crowns and/ or bridge is fit?
Patients should follow the post-treatment instructions provided by the treating dentist.
How to take care of my crowns and bridges?
- Keep clean and plague-free by brushing using a small soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day
- Floss once daily
- Cleaning or rinsing after a meal.
- Mouthwash
- Inter-dental brush
- Visit a Dentist 2x a year.
Complications
- Crowns and Bridges become loose
- a. Failure of the cement
- b. Heavy bite
- c. Supporting tooth / teeth failing
- Chipped tooth/ porcelain
- Gum inflammation/ Infection
Patient Cost For Crowns and bridges replacements
Fees depend on the number of restorations, supporting teeth or implants, material, laboratory requirements and whether additional procedures are required. A written treatment plan and fee estimate will be provided after assessment.