Crowns and Bridges

crowns and bridges saskatoonDental crowns and bridges are both fixed tooth replacement devices. Unlike dentures which require you take them out daily, crown and dentures are cemented to teeth and cannot be removed at home.

Dental Crowns in Saskatoon
A crown is an artificial tooth that can be used to cover or cap a damaged tooth and restore its natural look and function. Dental crowns are used to:

  • Fill up large cavities
  • Restore a tooth fractured by trauma
  • Cover a tooth after a root canal treatment
  • Anchor a dental bridge
  • Cover a dental implant

Types of Crown
Crowns can be made from a variety of material. These include:

  • Gold: Gold or gold alloy crowns are the most durable and strongest crowns. Gold is highly malleable and forms a crown with a thin surface, which means less tooth preparation is required. Gold crowns can withstand a huge amount of biting force and do not break. These are a great choice for molar restorations.
  • Porcelain-fused to metal: PFM crowns have a metal base that is covered by porcelain. These crowns have a more natural-looking tooth color. The reinforcement of metal also makes the crown very strong, though sometimes the porcelain part can chip off. This type of crown is great for molars.
  • All-porcelain: all-porcelain crowns are the most natural-looking crowns and are a very good choice for people with metal allergy. However, they are not as strong as metal-based crowns so they are a good choice for the front teeth.
  • All-resin: All-resin crowns are the least costly types of crown. However, they are not as durable as other crown material and can chip and wear over time.

Dental Bridges in Saskatoon
Dental bridges are made up of one or multiple teeth (known as pontics) that bridge the gap created by missing teeth. The bridge is anchored to one or two abutment teeth or by dental implants.

Types of Bridges
There are three main types of dental bridges:

  • Traditional bridges: Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridges and require two crowns on either side of the gap to anchor it.
  • Cantilever bridge: Cantilever bridge only require one crown to anchor it in the mouth. These bridges are not usually recommended as too much force can result in fracturing the crown or breaking the bridge. These bridges work well for front teeth which exert low pressure.
  • Maryland bonded bridges: Maryland bonded bridges consist of metal or porcelain wings which can be bonded to teeth on either side of the gap. These bridges are better for your oral health as they do not require eroding down adjacent teeth to accommodate a crown.

How Long Can Crowns and Bridges Last?
Crowns and bridges can last you anywhere between seven to 40 years, depending on the material they are made with and if you take proper care of them. Even though they are quite durable, crowns and bridges can become loose and slip off if the dental cement holding them washes away or if you eat very sticky food.
To ensure their longevity, make sure you exercise good oral hygiene and practice good oral habits that will not damage your dental restorations. Also, never miss your dental checkup appointments. To schedule a visit, call West 14 Dental at +1-306-933-2114 today.