Dr. Bruce Barker is a dentist, and has answered some common questions that Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges.
Q. What are Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges?
A. Dental crowns are restorations designed to strengthen teeth which have been damaged from either extensive fillings, decay, trauma, or structural compromise related to clenching and grinding. Bridges are designed to replace missing teeth. As the name implies, bridges span spaces and anchor to teeth on either side of a space or in cases or implants, they can be attached to implants to also replace teeth. Bridge designs have radically changed with the advances in implants as we are able to more closely mimic natural teeth with the use of implants. However, in many cases bone may not be available to place implants or a patient may not otherwise be a good candidate for implant surgery. In these cases bridgework allows a non-removable way to replace missing teeth.
Q. Is Root Treatment needed before a Crown-Bridge?
A. Root canal treatment is required when the nerve inside a tooth has either become infected or is irreversibly inflamed. Occasionally a root canal will be done in order to place a post to restore a heavily damaged tooth. The tissue inside the tooth is removed and the root is filled with a material which seals the area. It is not mandatory to have a root canal treatment prior to crowns or bridges unless the nerve has been damaged.
Q. How are crowns and bridges made?
A. Crowns and bridges are made typically in a dental laboratory. The dentist plans the case with the laboratory and the lab fabricates the bridge to the dentists specifications. Impressions are sent to the laboratory for fabrication of the bridgework. The patient typically wears a temporary bridge while the final crown or bridge is being made. In some cases crowns and bridges are milled directly chair side using an optical impression and a computer milling device.
Q. How long do crowns and bridges last?
A. Durability of crowns and bridges is dependent on the patients condition (ie how many teeth are being replaced), the quality of the fabrication process, the material used to make the crown or bridge, the accuracy of the dentists work (impressions, etc) and the hygiene efforts of the patient. Average durability for crowns is anywhere from 8-16 years. There is a large range due to the number of variables listed above.
Q. Is the procedure painful?
A. The procedures should always be comfortable through the use of good anesthetics and technique.
Q. How do I take care of my dental crowns and bridges?
A. Care and maintenance of crowns and bridges is similar to natural teeth, Proper brushing and flossing are critical. With bridges, due to the fact that it spans spaces and hence is made as a single unit, you cannot floss the adjoined teeth traditionally. The use of specialized flossing aids such as floss threaders, Superfloss, etc. are used to clean the bridge and underneath the artificial tooth areas.
Q. Are the non-metal crowns as strong as metal crowns?
A. Non-metal crowns are by definition traditionally not as strong as metal crowns in that the ceramic material they are made from can chip or fracture. Metal cannot break and has a similar hardness to tooth structure. This is especially of concern the farther back in the mouth you go due to the forces generated. Also patients with habits of clenching and grinding will be more prone to fracture of ceramic tooth colored materials.
Q. How can we contact Dr. Baker if we have further questions?
A. I can be contacted at 919-847-7100 or via email at bsb@brucesbarkerdmd.com or our website can be viewed at www.smiles4raleigh.com
