How Do Dental Crowns & Bridges Work?
The fact is that most of aren’t visiting the dentist nearly as much as we should. Oral health is paramount to our overall health, and the longer you avoid that trip to the dentist, the more likely you are to experience things like tooth decay, cavities, bacterial build-up, and even damaged or falling teeth. The last thing any of us want is for our teeth to fall out prematurely. In the event that your teeth have been damaged or are falling, you might be in need of a dental crown or bridge. These are prosthetic devices that essentially replace that damaged, fallen, or extracted tooth. When getting crown or bridgework done, it is important to find the best dentist Massapequa and the surrounding areas have quite a few to offer, but few can match the experience as well as the knowledge of Dr. Jay Ritter, of Ritter Family Dental. Throughout his many years in practice he has helped countless patients to replace damaged or fallen teeth with these fixed prosthetic devices.
What are Bridges and Crowns?
In the event you have a fallen, damaged, or extracted tooth, you might be in need of a bridge or crown. Both crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. The term fixed means that, unlike dentures which are removable, these devices cannot be taken out for any reason and are permanently affixed to your existing teeth. Dr. Ritter, considered to be the best dentist Massapequa has in practice, uses the most attractive and naturally appearing bridges and crowns available, as this will ensure a subtle look that few will be able to even tell apart from your normal teeth.
How Do They Work?
Firstly, the dental crown is sometimes referred to as a cap, as it is used to “cap” or cover a damaged tooth. When a tooth becomes damaged, a crown may be used to not only strengthen it but improve on its appearance – giving it a new, more natural shape, and a proper alignment. In the event the tooth is gone completely, the crown can also be placed over a smaller implant as well. As the best dentist Massapequa has to offer, Dr. Ritter, prefers to use only the highest quality crowns, made from porcelain or ceramic, in order to perfectly match the natural color of your existing teeth. In other instances, for a stronger tooth, mostly used on the back teeth, some crowns can be made from gold or other metals, or acrylics. This is less natural, but some even prefer them for a certain type of aesthetic. Crowns are recommended to:
· Replace large fillings, when the tooth is too small.
· Attach Bridges
· Cover Dental Implants
· Protect a weak tooth or restore an already fractured tooth.
· Cover a damaged or discolored tooth. Or one that has just undergone a root canal.
Bridges however, are recommended for those missing one or more teeth, and have a gap left behind in their smile. When left empty, a gap in your teeth will cause the other teeth to twist and rotate or even shift awkwardly. The empty gap can even cause bacterial infections or TMJ disorders. As the name suggests, a dental bridge is used to span across a gap of one or more teeth. The bridge is cemented to the teeth (or implants) on either side of the gap, and a pontic or replacement tooth, is placed in the gap. Bridges, like crowns, come in different materials. However, depending on factors like the location of the gap, costs, the function, and the cosmetic appeal, you may want to choose certain materials over others. The most common materials are porcelain and ceramics, as they match the tooth’s natural color most closely. As the best dentist Massapequa has in practice, Dr. Jay Ritter uses dental bridges and crowns to cover missing teeth for a variety of reasons, and no matter what your dental issues are, you are in good hands at Ritter Family Dental. Schedule your appointment now online or over the phone.