Crowns & Bridges

At Australia Dental Burpengary we are able to offer you a wide range of solutions to restore badly broken down or heavily filled teeth, replace missing teeth and improve the appearance of your teeth.

We always explain the choices available to you and the benefits of each treatment option. We will guide and help you find the solution that best suits you.

What is a Crown?

A crown is a type of restoration used to restore and strengthen badly broken down or heavily filled teeth. White crowns are also used to achieve dramatic improvements in appearance of the tooth and mouth.

If you have a tooth that is heavily filled or which has a crack in it, the whole tooth is at risk. It may split and extraction would then be the only option. Even with the most modern dental materials a filling may not be sufficiently durable in which case, a crown is the solution of choice.

 

Emax Ceramic Crowns, Inlays and Veneers

The bad news is that your dentist says that you need a dental crown. The good news?  This is the best time in nearly 3000 years to get one thanks to the introduction of IPS Emax crowns.

When you think about it, the dental crown is one of history’s most remarkable, least remarked upon innovations. It has quietly improved the quality of life for countless millions since the first Tuscan “prosthodontist” used beeswax to affix animal teeth in a patient’s mouth more than 2,500 years ago. However, there has been one significant problem with dental crowns since the very beginning. Dental crowns made from the most natural appearing materials (e.g., ivory or porcelain) weren’t as durable as those made of stronger, yet aesthetically less appealing materials like gold and silver.

For centuries, dentists have been seeking the “holy grail”: a versatile dental crown material that was natural in appearance, indistinguishable from natural teeth yet strong enough to handle the incredible daily demands of the human mouth. A major leap forward occurred as porcelain veneers evolved into all-ceramic ones; however, some durability issues involving chipping and fracturing remained. At last, the search for the perfect crown appears to be over with the evolution of IPS Emax.

 

Porcelain Crowns

These crowns have a substructure of a metal alloy (precious or non-precious metal) to which porcelains have been fused at high temperature to create an exceptionally strong restoration. The dental technician adds many different layers of porcelain and colour to make a perfect a match as possible to the adjacent teeth in your mouth.

A thin line of metal maybe visible, on the inside surface of the crown, at the gum level.

 

What is a Bridge?

A bridge is a restoration that replaces a missing tooth. The adjacent tooth or teeth are modified and the bridge is fabricated to bridge-the-gap. Once cemented into position it will remain there for many years.

 

What types of Bridges are there?

Conventional Bonded Porcelain Bridge

This bridge uses two or more teeth as supports (abutments). It is made of porcelain fused to a metal substructure (precious or non-precious). It is effectively crowns joined together by the missing teeth.

The dental technician adds many different layers of porcelain and colour to make as perfect a match as possible to the adjacent teeth in your mouth.

A thin line of metal maybe visible on the inside surface of the crown at the gum level.

Cantilever Bridge

This involves “hanging”, or cantilevering, a false tooth off a prepared tooth adjacent to the gap. The advantage is that only one tooth needs to be prepared.

It may be made from traditional bonded porcelain to metal or it may be metal-free. The cantilever bridge however, may not be a suitable option in many cases.

Adhesive Bridge (Maryland Bridge)

This bridge is usually designed to replace a single tooth. The advantage of a Maryland Bridge is that minimal preparation of the teeth is required.

The replacement tooth has one or more metal “wings” which are bonded to the adjacent teeth with acid etched composite bonding agents. The metal work is bonded to the inner surface of the tooth so the aesthetics are excellent. Again, this type of bridge may not be suitable in all cases.

Metal Free Bridge

This can be a conventional bonded porcelain, cantilever or adhesive bridge design but without metal. Instead, high technology ceramics such as Zirconia, Procera or Empress 2 are used.

Their metal free composition is beneficial if you have any metal allergies or will appeal to those simply looking for the ultimate in appearance and strength.

 

How long do they last?

They last for as long as the tooth lasts!

If you look after them they should last 10 to 15 years, sometimes even longer. Like your own teeth, crowns-bridges-veneers can break but that is very unusual. They do however, need looking after as do all of your teeth. Thorough brushing, daily flossing and care with your diet are essential.

Badly neglected problems with decay can start within a couple of years. If we thought this was a possibility we would not recommend crowns-bridges-veneers to you.

 

Is Root Treatment needed before a Crown-Bridge?

Not routinely. We will always take a radiograph to check the foundations of your tooth and to check to see if there is any sign of problems with the nerve. If the tooth has been extensively destroyed by decay, such that insufficient tooth remains to anchor the crown, then root treatment will be necessary prior to placing a post into the root.

Occasionally (sometimes many years after the crown-bridge is fitted) the nerve can die off. If this happens a root filling can be done through your existing crown-bridge without the need for its replacement. At Australia Dental Burpengary we will always fully inform you of the necessary treatment and costs before starting.