All about Porcelain Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges

Quite often there is not enough remaining tooth structure to support the use of a dental filling. If a filling was used in these instances, there is a high probability of the tooth breaking which could result in the loss of the tooth. To reduce the chances of weak teeth fracturing, a crown should be placed. This procedure typically takes two visits. At the first visit, the tooth will be prepared to allow for the thickness of the crown. An impression of the tooth will be recorded and a temporary crown will be provided while our expert laboratories custom design and fit your tooth colored porcelain crown. At the second visit, the crown is tried in to confirm an accurate fit and optimum smile aesthetics. It is then cemented or bonded to your tooth.

Older dental crowns may appear to have a grey line near the gums. This occurs because older crown have a metal base in them. The metal shows through the porcelain where the crown is thinnest. Although you may not have seen the grey when it was first placed, if the gums have receded, the grey becomes obvious. You can eliminate the grey line and achieve a natural healthy white appearance by having the crown replaced with an all porcelain crown.

A dental bridge can be designed using the same materials as the crown described above. When a tooth or teeth are missing, the teeth adjacent to the space are prepared for crowns. These crowns are supports for crowns that replace the missing teeth. The bridge is cemented in place and non-removable. Careful attention to design will result in a very natural appearing form of tooth replacement.

Dental Crowns, onlays, or inlays are used for many reasons. They may be needed to repair teeth that have been weakened by decay or previous restorations. We use these types of laboratory fabricated restorations for teeth that have had root canal therapy, to replace older large fillings, and for smile enhancement We may also suggest one of these restorations when we wish to change the way your teeth come together.

Fabricating a dental laboratory restoration requires a multiple step process. While it is more time consuming than a filling, it is no more uncomfortable. I would like to describe the steps involved so that no surprises arise for you.

We will anesthetize your tooth, because we will need to remove some of the tooth structure with a high speed bur and water spray. The anesthetic will keep you comfortable during the procedure. You should be aware that your tooth may be sore or uncomfortable for a while after the preparation. This usually only lasts a short while. On occasion, the pulp (nerve and blood supply inside the tooth) may be irritated by the preparation process, prior trauma or decay. If discomfort persists, your tooth may need a root canal, which will be an additional charge.

One of the key steps to making a great restoration is the tooth impression of the prepared tooth. We do this by placing a soft, creamy material in a tray and then place this in your mouth. It’s very easy and only takes a few minutes to harden. We then make an accurate model of your teeth for our laboratory technician to make a cast restoration that is crafted specifically for your tooth.

The laboratory fabrication of your cast restoration takes a few weeks. While you are waiting to receive your new restoration we will place a temporary restoration to protect your tooth and permit near normal chewing. This is just a short term restoration and is designed to be replaced within a few weeks. Thus, it is important for you to return when scheduled to avoid dental decay, gum disease, and bite problems.

When you return for the placement of your permanent cast dental restoration, we will check to make sure it is the proper color and the appearance meets with your approval. It will be checked for proper fit and bite relations. Then it will be cemented onto your tooth. It may be necessary to make additional adjustments to your bite (occlusion) before you are totally comfortable. Occasionally the cast restoration will feel “too tight” or “different” until you become accustomed to it.

While your crown or other lab restoration is made of materials that are resistant to decay, it is important that you care for it as if it were a natural tooth. The edges of any cast restoration are still susceptible to decay. Make sure you brush and floss this area regularly. This will minimize the chances of dental decay forming where your restoration meets the natural tooth. It’s also necessary to keep the gum tissues healthy around your new restoration.

This temporary is meant only to serve your needs while a definitive dental crown is being made for you. The color of the temporary crown does not resemble the permanent crown in any way. The temporary crown, while custom made for every individual, does not have the same shape and size of the permanent crown. Your temporary crown is made to protect the tooth while the custom crown is being fabricated at the lab. Since the temporary does not fit your mouth like the custom dental crown will, you may notice mild sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets.

1. The temporary cement requires about 30 minutes to set. Please do not chew during that period of time.

Your temporary has been placed with a type of cement that can easily be removed at your next visit.

Avoid eating sticky foods – i.e. chewing gum, candy bars, peanut butter sandwiches, etc. as these may adhere to your temporary and lift it off.

Avoid eating hard foods – i.e. peanuts, popcorn, hard candies, etc. as these may rock loose or break your temporary

3. Temporary crowns are not strong. They may occasionally break or come off. If this should happen to you, please contact our office immediately, bring your crown with you and we will replace it. Should you be unable to contact us, simply go to a pharmacy and get some Fixodent. Replace the temporary crown on your tooth using the Fixodent to hold it in place until you can contact us.

4. Please do not leave the temporary crown out of your mouth. Without the temporary crown your teeth may move and then the customized dental crown may not fit!

5. Do not brush or floss too vigorously around your temporary crown. When flossing be sure to pull your floss out through the side instead of popping it up and down, as this could also cause the temporary to become loose. ( You may be advised not to floss around the temporary)

Remember it is important to keep the area clean—but use caution and a gentle touch.

You may have a very commonly occurring problem in one of your teeth. Teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard foods or ice, or by biting on an unexpected hard object. All teeth may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with typical silver alloy restorations are most susceptible.

1) SIMPLE CRACK: The majority of cracked teeth (about nine out of ten) can be treated by placement of a crown on the tooth. When the tooth is prepared for the crown, and a temporary restoration is placed, the pain usually leaves immediately. If this is the case with your tooth, we will place the customized dental crown w at your next appointment and the condition should be solved.

2) COMPLEX CRACK: Occasionally (about one in ten) the tooth cracks into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. If the pain persists after placement of the temporary crown, you may have a crack into the pulp of the affected tooth. Please call us. This tooth may require endodontics (root canal therapy) before the crown is placed. This requires an additional appointment with a dental specialist before the crown is placed.

The professionals at White Orchid Dental welcome your questions. Please call 219-836-9122 to schedule your consultation with the smile care experts. Email: jeffmilne@sbcglobal.net with any questions or concerns along with your contact information and we will promptly respond. We offer the opportunity to save time by printing the patient information forms online Patient Forms at White Orchid Dental Please mail or fax these completed forms to us before your visit.

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