Crowns & Bridges

 
DENTAL CROWNS

A tooth that is heavily decayed may be too weak to survive with just a filling. By placing a crown, the tooth will have a better prognosis. Without a crown there is a high risk that a fracture line may go below the margin of the gum resulting in a broken tooth and infection. Restoration of the tooth will then be impossible. 

Crowns are always advisable after root canal treatment for the purpose of strengthening the tooth and protecting the internal structure from further bacterial infection.

A crown (which some people call a 'cap') covers the entire tooth. It is usually made of porcelain. A crown that is made for a chewing tooth has metal on the inside to restore strength and function, where as a crown on a front tooth is usually all porcelain.
 

DENTAL BRIDGES

A dental bridge is used when there is a tooth missing. It involves putting a crown on each tooth on either side of the missing tooth, and then a false tooth or teeth is suspended between the crowns.

Treatment for a crown or bridge will take two visits to your Newmarket dentist. The first visit is more extensive as this involves the tooth or teeth being shaved down and prepared for the crown/bridge. Impressions of the teeth will also be taken and a temporary crown will be placed. The shade of your teeth will be recorded so that the crown will match.

A highly skilled laboratory technician will then make the porcelain crown. The second visit to our dental practice in Auckland is one to two weeks later. Your new crown is placed and you will marvel at the brilliance of your new tooth!