Dental Crowns and Bridges in Anchorage

A bridge is built with the help of the healthy teeth on both sides of the gap left by the missing tooth. The artificial replacement tooth which the bridge is built for is called “pontic” after the French word “pont” which means bridge. Support is provided by the healthy adjacent teeth on either side just like a bridge that is supported over a canyon. These healthy teeth are called abutments.

The abutment teeth cannot provide the crucial support by themselves, so they are first “crowned” or “capped.” “Crowning” is done in the same process as if the teeth need crowns for any other reason like significant decay. When the abutment teeth are crowned, they are first removed and then the crowns are fitted in the cavity. Then the pontic teeth are attached in the middle of the two abutment teeth. The pontic is also another crown, but it has not been attached underneath.

Building a Dental Bridge

If you are missing a tooth, you will need a three-unit bridge. This arrangement needs three crowns in total. Two crowns will be used to cover the two abutment teeth which are on each side of the gap made by the missing teeth. After they are “crowned,” these two teeth will support the third crown which is placed between them. The third crown will fill the gap made by the missing teeth.

As the number of missing teeth increases, the number of crowns required for bridging the gap increases as well as the number of abutment teeth required to support the crowns. The placement and number of missing teeth, the size and length of the abutment tooth roots, and other factors need to be taken into account when calculating the number of crowns and abutments required. Three missing teeth, for example, may require four abutment teeth for support. This will create a seven-tooth bridge.If you are getting a dental bridge, then you will usually require at least two visits to Delaney Park Dental. The abutment teeth will be prepared in the first visit. You will be under local anesthesia when the abutment teeth are prepared to reduce any pain when drilling is done. A 3D model of your teeth will be made using digital scanning or a putty-like impression material. Before leaving, you will be given a temporary bridge to wear. When the permanent bridge is ready, it will be cemented in place on your next visit.

After Surgery Care

After surgery care and maintenance for both crowns and bridges are quite similar. Crowned teeth require the same dental hygiene as real teeth to reduce the buildup of dental plaque, as plaque loosens the crown and is a common reason for complaints that crowns don’t last long.

Standard dental care like flossing and brushing your teeth is mandatory after surgery maintenance for both crowns and bridges. Unless pressure and extreme stress is applied by accident, crowns and bridges usually feel natural within a week or so after the procedures have been done. Other than these basics, if you have prior habits like biting nails or grinding teeth, you should strive hard to avoid them until the crown or bridge has acclimated to its place in your mouth.