Whether it’s because of decay or some kind of physical trauma, sometimes a tooth becomes damaged; if that happens, it’ll need to be repaired, and in some extreme cases it might even require an extraction. Whatever the case, Fromuth & Langlois Dental of Manchester can keep your smile full and healthy using dental crowns and bridges made from durable, natural-looking ceramics. If you notice a cracked tooth or suspect a toothache is caused by decay, contact our office for an appointment as soon as possible.
A dental crown gets its name from the fact that it’s placed on the top of the tooth, covering it in order to give restore its shape, size and appearance; it’ll also give it the strength it needs for everyday biting and chewing. While crowns are most commonly used to protect badly decayed teeth, they can also restore those that have been broken or severely worn down. They might also reinforce a tooth with a large filling if there’s not a lot of natural structure left. Crowns can be placed for cosmetic reasons, such as when teeth are misshapen or severely discolored.
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If you’re missing a tooth, a dental bridge will help fill the gap. They’re made of two crowns that hold a false tooth between them and are traditionally supported by adjacent natural teeth, although in many cases (specifically when three or more teeth in a row are gone) implants can be used instead.
For traditional bridges, a small amount of enamel is removed so that the crowns will fit. You might have to come in multiple times in order to make sure the framework is fitted properly. We may use temporary cement for a couple of weeks before using more permanent bonding methods.
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Crowns can repair all kinds of damage. They’ll let you use your pearly whites to chew and speak as you normally would without worrying about making the damage worse. They can improve the appearance of your smile and are made from ceramics that let them closely resemble natural teeth. They can last 5 to 15 years on average depending on how well you take care of them.
Since bridges fully replace missing teeth, they’ll restore your ability to eat many of your favorite foods and talk clearly. They’ll also help maintain the shape of your face, make sure that the force of your bite is distributed correctly, and will stop your other teeth from drifting out of position. Like crowns, their average lifespan is anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
As noted above, crowns are an essential component of dental bridges; they sit on natural teeth or implants and hold the false tooth/teeth in place. Not only will you have a full set of teeth again, but in certain circumstances, the teeth supporting the bridge can benefit from the added protection and strength provided by the dental crowns.