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What are Dental Crowns & Bridges?
At Infinitidental Clinic, we provide dental crown treatments in Wimbledon. We will fully assess your teeth and present the most appropriate treatment options, explaining the benefits and risks of each type of restoration and alternatives in order of recommendation.
Dental crowns and bridges are often terms that get talked about a lot in dentistry. But, are you aware of what they are and what oral problems they can solve?
Dental crowns and bridges are artificial laboratory made items used to cover, cap and in the case of bridges, replace missing teeth. They can be made from a variety of different materials including metal alloy, fused metal and porcelain, zirconia, zirconia and porcelain, ceramic, resin and acrylic. Crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays once cemented or bonded to your teeth, unless of a temporary design, are fixed in position and need not to be removed until they fail.
Which do I need?
Dental inlays and onlays are alternatives to crowns and cover less of the tooth. Inlays and onlays are intended for back teeth that are cracked or broken down to such an extent that a direct filling would not be a sensible option. Nowadays they are usually fabricated from a tooth-coloured material to create a more natural result than that offered by traditional gold alloy, although the latter may be more suitable in some patients.
Dental inlays are an option when the tooth cavity is too large for a simple filling. The inlay is created as a single solid piece to fill the cavity.
A dental onlay covers all of the bite surface of the tooth and in this respect, it is similar to a crown, but it does not extend down to the gum fully all the way round the tooth. In essence it is a mid-sized restoration with more coverage than an inlay, but less than a crown or cap and again is made as a single piece.
Dental Crowns Wimbledon
If you need dental crowns in Wimbledon, call Infinitidental Clinic. Commonly used by dentists when dealing with an extremely brittle and fragile tooth, or to restore a broken tooth. Dental crowns serve the purpose of preserving and protecting your natural teeth by providing that extra layer of security. Here at Infinitidental Clinic, we offer a wide array of dental crowns to fit specific circumstances and purposes.
The crowns that we commonly recommend for our patients include:
- Zirconia – these tooth coloured crowns are very strong in thin section (similar to metals) and are therefore ideal for posterior teeth where minimal tooth preparation is desired. They may be layered over with porcelain to improve aesthetics and can then be used anywhere in the mouth. Zirconia is very good a hiding the colour of the underlying tooth and is an ideal option when a crown is needed in a discoloured tooth or one which has a metal post core.
- Porcelain fused to metal – this is the traditional tooth coloured crown where porcelain is fused to the underlying metal. This type of crown is cemented to the underlying tooth, has a long track history and provides very good aesthetics anywhere in the mouth.
- Ceramic (Emax) – these crowns have the best appearance. As they are glass like and more see through, they are suited for teeth which retain a good colour. They are not as strong as the other types of crown and are therefore bonded to the teeth rather than cemented and are generally used in the aesthetic zone at the front of the mouth.
- Metals – These types of dental crowns in Wimbledon rarely break or chip and are really durable. Although they may be more expensive, in comparison to other dental crown alternatives, they’re the strongest in terms of withstanding biting and chewing forces and require the least amount of tooth preparation. Due to appearance, these crowns are generally restricted to the posterior molar teeth.
- Resin – the most cost-effective solution. Resin dental crowns are less expensive than other options BUT are rarely used due to limited longevity. This material is better suited for inlays and onlays.
- Acrylic – used for short or long-term temporary solutions which can be made chairside or by laboratory.
Stainless Steel – more of a temporary solution, than a permanent one. Stainless steel dental crowns in Wimbledon are commonly used on children, protecting a tooth from decaying further.
Dental Bridges Wimbledon
When you have a missing tooth, bridges were once the ‘’go to’’ treatment. Since the growth of dental implants, bridges are less commonly the best solution. However, our knowledge and expertise allow us to recommend bridges in circumstances where they may still be suitable, where success is more likely and for those patients who are not suitable or prefer not to proceed with implant treatment.
Here at Infinitidental Clinic, we can use bridges to “bridge the gap” and replace the missing teeth. Dental bridges in Wimbledon are a fantastic solution if you’re looking to restore your smile. Depending on the where in the mouth teeth are missing, it may be possible to replace an existing denture with a bridge. When dentures are replaced with bridges, plaque accumulation in the mouth is reduced which should make achieving good oral hygiene in these individuals more achievable. Unlike dentures, bridges are fixed to the teeth and need not be removed overnight when you go to sleep.
The types of dental bridges that we provide and fit into your mouth include the likes of conventional, resin retained and implant-supported dental bridges. These can be fixed-fixed in design meaning the bridge attaches to teeth both sides of the missing span or cantilever, meaning the bridge is attached on one side only. Our team of highly-trained dentists in Wimbledon will happily guide you through each type of dental bridge, to see which one is more suited to your specific circumstances.
There are a multitude of benefits you’ll reap, when you choose dental bridges. As well as restoring you smile, you’ll also help to maintain the shape of your face and it won’t take long at all to get used to the comfortableness of your new false tooth.
Contact us Today
If you have a missing tooth, and you want to act fast using a proven solution, call your local family-run practice today. Infinitidental Clinic has decades of experience in restorative dentistry.
Call our team today directly! Alternatively, if you prefer to use email, you can also use our online contact and we’ll get back to you at our earliest convenience. You’re also welcome to browse our website to check out our wide range of dentistry services and find out more cosmetic, facial and restorative dental treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main purpose of a crown is to help rebuild teeth which have been broken or weakened by tooth decay. The crown gives extra support to an existing weakened or broken tooth that helps to restore your overall smile. The crowns fits directly over the remaining part of the tooth and can be fitted to perfection by our dental professionals at Infinitidental Clinic.
For both crowns and bridges, we will need to see patients for two appointments. The first appointment will be for preparation and to take exact impressions and shades so that your custom-made crown can be made perfectly to within your mouth. Secondly, we will invite you back again so that we can fit the crown.
On your second appointment with us, we will check the appearance and functionality of the crown before fitted. Once approved by you, the crown will be cemented in place with special dental adhesive.
The durability of dental crowns will vary. On average, dental crowns can last from anywhere between 5 to 15 years. The lifespan of dental crowns will depend on variable factors such as the exposure to ”wear and tear” and hygiene practices as followed by the patient. For long-lasting and functional dental crowns, it’s also important to eradicate or get help with habits such as teeth clenching and teeth grinding.
Permanent crowns can be made from a wide range of materials and are suited to a range of different budgets and to suit different requirements. Porcelain crowns are the most popular as they can be matched to your adjacent teeth. Other options include metal crowns, ceramic and all-resin crowns. Our team of dental professionals will be happy to suggest the type fo crown most suited to you.
Permanent crowns can be constructed from several different materials and our dentists will be able to discuss the relevant options with you. Metal crowns are a popular option and can be made from gold alloy, nickel or chromium. Other materials we use for crowns include metal fused to porcelain and ceramic. When you visit us for a consultation, our team will discuss the best material that will be the most suited to you.
Dental bridges are a traditional solution to your missing or damaged teeth. However, depending on your needs, dental implants may be the more suitable option for you. Whatever treatment you choose, you can be sure of a comfortable and convenient dentistry experience with us at Infinitidental Clinic.
Dental crowns can correct a variety of dental problems and help to strengthen a weakened or fractured tooth, replace a tooth after root canal treatment and help to attach implants. Furthermore, dental crowns are also the ideal treatment for replacing a filling that is too large for the remaining tooth.
There are specific dental habits that you can implement into your daily life to better care for dental crowns and bridges. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is imperative and should include brushing and flossing daily. Our dentists also recommend that you avoid biting on hard foods such as nuts and candy that can potentially fracture and damage the restoration.
Thanks to the latest developments within dentistry, today’s bridges and crowns and now made of natural-looking composite materials that blend in nicely with the rest of your natural teeth.