Strengthen Weakened or Damaged Teeth With Crowns and Bridges at Dentists of East Melbourne

A crown, often referred to as a “cap,” is used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. It serves multiple purposes:

• Crowns strengthen weakened or damaged teeth, ensuring they can handle biting and chewing.
• They can be used to enhance the appearance, shape, and alignment of teeth.
• Crowns can go on top of dental implants to provide the optimal tooth shape and structure.
• Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, gold, metal alloys, and acrylic. Porcelain or ceramic crowns are often chosen because they match the colour of natural teeth, while metal alloys may be recommended for their strength, particularly for back teeth.

A dental bridge replaces missing teeth. Missing teeth are a problem as they can cause remaining teeth to move into the empty spaces, causing a bad bite, gum disease, and temporomandibular joint (TMJD) disorders. Bridges help maintain the alignment of teeth and prevent these issues.

A bridge spans the areas where teeth are missing and is anchored to the natural teeth or implants adjacent to the space. These anchoring teeth, called abutments, are covered with crowns. The replacement tooth, known as a pontic, is attached to these crowns.

Bridges can be made from porcelain, ceramic, gold, and metal alloys. Porcelain or ceramic bridges are often preferred for their natural appearance, matching the colour of your existing teeth.

1. Before creating a crown or bridge, the tooth (or teeth) must be carefullyprepared to ensure the prosthetic can fit Your dentist will take an impression of the reduced tooth/teeth to create an exact mould for the crown or bridge. If porcelain is being used, the correct shade will be determined to match your natural teeth.
2. The impression is sent away where your crown or bridge is custom-made. A temporary crown or bridge will be used while the permanent prosthetic is being fabricated. This is removed when the new crown or bridge is cemented onto your prepared tooth or teeth.

Average crowns and bridges should last for ten years or more. Well engineered and prepared crowned teeth often have crowns or bridges lasting for decades. The most important factor in ensuring their longevity is how well they were designed and prepared as well as maintaining good oral hygiene. It is also a good idea to avoid chewing hard foods. We recommend regular visits for professional cleanings and check-ups.

Fees vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure and the experience and ability of the dentist and the time they put into the fine details essential for long lasting crowns or bridegs, the materials used, and the patient’s specific needs. At Dentists of East Melbourne, we provide detailed treatment plans and cost estimates during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.

Investing in high-quality crowns and bridges can save you money in the long run. Cheaper crowns often compromise quality and fit, leading to further dental issues and costs. Our crowns and bridges are designed to last, providing a durable and reliable solution.