Crowns & Bridges
Crowns
Who is a candidate for Tooth Crowns?
Grinding your teeth, an improper bite, age, fillings and tooth decay can all be contributing factors in the wearing down, cracking or breakage of your teeth. Dental crowns cover the entire visible surface of your affected tooth and add strength, durability and tooth stability.
Your cosmetic dentist will usually be able to spot problem areas in your mouth that might lead to tooth damage and a need for crowns. Chewing patterns play a big role as well. By selectively grinding the tips of your middle and back teeth (called cusps) will alter your bite to reduce the stress on at-risk teeth.
Bridges
In other instances, crowns are used to replace a actual missing tooth. These crowns are anchored to the teeth on either side, with a bridge section connecting the two crowns. Instead of bridges, single tooth dental implants may be used that eliminate the need for supporting the crowns .
Post & Core
A post and core (colloquially known as a "post" or "dental post") is a type of dental restoration used either to stabilize a weakened tooth or provide an anchor for a crown. Utilized when inadequate tooth structure remains to support a traditional restoration, it consists of the insertion of a small metal rod (known as a "post") into the root space of an affected tooth, leaving several millimeters protruding. The protrusion is then used to support a large filling, or anchor a crown.