Crowns
A crown is a restoration that completely encases a tooth. These restorations are used to strengthen the tooth, and can also improve appearance and alignment. A crown may also be referred to as a ‘cap’ or ‘porcelain jacket’. Dr. Green may recommend a crown for you if you need to replace a large or weak filling, if the tooth is cracked or broken, or if your tooth has been weakened by root canal therapy. Your crown may be made of metal, which is the strongest choice, or porcelain, which is the most attractive choice. You may also opt to have a porcelain fused to metal crown, which offers a strong but attractive option. If you need a crown, Dr. Green will advise you as to which is the best choice for your situation.
Veneers
A veneer is similar to a porcelain crown. However, veneers are used for cosmetic purposes only. Rather than encase the entire tooth, they cover only the front portion of a tooth.
Bridges
A bridge can be used to replace a missing or extracted tooth. If you have a missing tooth, it is sometimes possible to crown the nearest teeth and connect those crowns with a fake tooth, called an abutment. This improves both the appearance and chewing surface of an area with missing teeth. Unfortunately, this is not the right solution for everyone. If if the gap is too large, or the surrounding teeth do not have adequate bone support, a bridge may fail. Also, the surrounding teeth must be shaped to accept crowns. If these teeth are healthy and have not had previous dental work, you may want to consider an implant rather than a bridge.
Implants
An implant is often a good solution for a missing tooth. Although relatively new technology- dental implants were first approved for use in the United States in 1982- implants have become a fairly common and successful solution for tooth replacement. Implants involve the placing of an artificial titanium or titanium alloy ‘root’ in the jawbone. You must have adequate healthy bone tissue to support the implant. For this process, we would refer you to a local periodontist or oral surgeon. Once the implant has adequately fused with the bone, you would return to our office for the placement of an implant crown.
You can also click here to see a video, explaining crown, bridges and implants.
Post Op instructions for Crown and Bridge
Be mindful of biting or chewing your lips and tongue until the anesthetic wears off, as you will be numb.
You will most likely have a temporary crown or bridge. Please avoid hard or sticky foods, avoid chewing on the temporary crown and avoid flossing directly around the crown.
If the gum tissue around the temporary crown is irritated or swollen for a day or two after placement, rinse with warm salt water.
You may notice an increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, especially with the temporary crown. Sensitivity should decrease over time with the permanent crown.
You may notice some pain and tenderness from the tooth. While some tenderness is to be expected, if the pain increases or becomes severe, please let us know.
When to Call Us
Please call us at (518)587-8885 if:
You are experiencing severe or increasing pain.
When the numbness wears off, you feel that your teeth do not feel as if they come together properly.
Your crown or temporary crown becomes dislodged.
If the office is not open, please leave a message. The answering machine is checked on a regular basis, and someone will return your call promptly.