Crowns and Bridges
Solutions for Broken or Missing Teeth
Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns provide a solution for broken or root canal treated teeth, and dental bridges fill in the space left by a missing tooth.
At St Mark Dental and Medical Group, we strive to help our patients achieve better oral health and to enjoy the foods they love by repairing broken or damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth with tooth-coloured restorations.
Do you have a painful or broken tooth? Contact us today and let us restore your smile and comfort.
Dental Crowns to Protect the Tooth
A dental crown, sometimes called a ‘cap’ covers the tooth structure in the wake of deep decay, fractures, large chips, root canal therapy or to repair broken teeth. Unlike a dental filling, which seals the tooth, dental crowns are meant to add structure and stability to protect the longevity and function of the tooth.
Dental crowns come in a variety of materials:
- Full Gold Crowns
Often the choice for posterior (back) teeth that absorb more force when chewing - Porcelain Fused to Metal
Tooth-coloured crowns with an underlying metal component for added durability - All-Porcelain Crowns
The most natural-looking type of dental crowns that provide the greatest aesthetics for front teeth
Dental Bridges Replace Missing Teeth
A dental bridge relies on dental crowns on healthy adjacent teeth to hold an artificial tooth in place, filling the gap in the smile. While the two procedures are similar, dental bridges are a single, three-tooth unit. In most cases, a porcelain or porcelain fused to metal option is possible for the highest aesthetic results.
The Dental Crown Procedure
1. Pain Control
We strive to provide gentle and comfortable dentistry and will thoroughly anaesthetise the tooth before beginning the procedure.
2. Decay Removal
One of our dentists, Dr Evet Ishak, Dr David Bashout or Dr Mina Azmi, will remove decay and damaged tooth structure to ensure a good fit and healthy function for the crown.
3. Custom Dental Crown
After reshaping the tooth, our dental team will take an impression of the area and a bite registration to forward to our local dental lab to use in the creation of the custom dental crown to ensure proper fit.
Your dentist will place a temporary crown on the tooth that will protect it while the laboratory creates the permanent crown.
4. Final Restoration
Once we receive the final restoration, your dentist will cement it to the tooth and make any final adjustments to ensure the bite comes together correctly.
Caring for Your Dental Crowns and Bridges
It is important to practise common sense caution and avoid chewing hard candy or ice, which can damage natural teeth, dental crowns and bridges. Maintaining good oral hygiene at home along with regular check-ups and cleans will also help keep gums and teeth healthy.
Dental bridges require some special attention to remove food particles and debris from under and around the bridge. Our dentists can recommend some commercially available products to make looking after your bridge more convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, when a cavity is too large or too deep, your tooth becomes weak and damaged. A filling in these cases will not keep the tooth viable or strong for chewing. A dental crown is much sturdier compared with a dental filling, and its purpose is to keep your tooth functional and comfortable.
Also, a failed root canal or trauma may leave your tooth vulnerable to breakage. A dental crown can help strengthen it and keep it in use.
A dental crown is customised to fit your tooth. We also take measures to help it match your other teeth. The intention is to make the crown appear part of your natural smile.
A dental crown may also help conceal:
- Discolouration
- Small chips
- Tiny flaws
- Minor gaps between teeth
- Small bite misalignments
We want to help you save your tooth when it is damaged or weakened. This is why we may recommend a dental crown instead of a traditional filling in our Monterey dental clinic.
We Welcome New Patients
If you have broken teeth or a missing tooth and want a solution, we welcome you to contact our dental practice to learn more or to arrange a booking.
St Mark Dental
We look forward to seeing your smile.
Disclaimer:
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Contact us for more information. Rebates may vary depending on your individual health fund.