Cause & Treatment
The terms crown and bridgework refer to a variety of tooth reconstruction techniques.
Crowns, often referred to as caps, are placed over what remains of a natural tooth after the tooth is prepared by the dentist.
Crowns replace missing natural material, and replicate or improve the patients’ original appearance and bite.
Crowns are sometimes used to correct a bite discrepancy or solely for cosmetic effect, even in the absence of decay or other disease.
Crowns can be constructed from any one of several materials including porcelain, precious or non-precious metals; and composites.
Crowns are non-removable, fixed in place using cement. In the absence of enough natural material, a post and/or buildup are placed prior to crown fabrication.
Crowns have many uses:
- Crowns can repair a decayed or otherwise weakened or broken tooth.
- Crowns are frequently used to restore teeth following a root canal.
- Crowns are sometimes used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance, including permanently discolored tooth.
- Linked crowns are used to secure loose teeth or, replace missing teeth.
Whether a true crown or a hybrid crown, also known as a“pontic”, the outward appearance is the same. Linked crowns with a pontic in the middle are most often referred to as fixed bridgework.
Fixed bridgework is used when a missing tooth or teeth are replaced with a non-removable prosthetic. The bridge can be supported by either teeth or dental implants. Dentures and partials refer only to removable prosthetics.
Replacement of Missing Teeth ● Overview
When faced with the prospect of having missing teeth replaced it is important for you, as the patient, have a basic understanding of the treatment options available to your dentist. To aid you in this area the chart below outlines the fundamental choices you and your dentist are likely to discuss, the preferred treatment being determined by individual diagnosis and the patient’s particular circumstances.
Course of Treatment
When a crown is used to repair a damaged tooth treatment begins with the dentist removing damaged and/or decayed areas of the tooth, creating a stable environment for attaching acrown. In the absence of enough suitable host material a buildup is used to enlarge the tooth to support the crown.
Once the tooth’s is prepared an impression is taken of the tooth and one or both opposing jaws in order to create the crown, a prosthetic, which is installed on the prepared area at a subsequent appointment.
Crowns replicate the patient’s natural bite with great precision.
When a tooth or several teeth are missing there can be severe complications to remaining teeth from the force of chewing and the absence of neighboring teeth to keep teeth properly aligned. If the situation is not corrected remaining teeth can separate, become misaligned or lost altogether.
Fixed bridgework is used not only to secure a partial denture in place, but also to provide sufficient strength and support to protect one’s remaining, natural teeth.
In the case of fixed bridgework, the teeth on either side of the denture are reduced in size and then crowned (capped) to affix the bridge and reinstate the patient’s natural bite and appearance. Crowns are integral and necessary part of this dental treatment.
As noted, crowns can be constructed from any one of a number of materials, these include:
- Porcelain
- Precious Metals
- Composites
- Glass
While cost is and the desired appearance may be considerations, it is the overall strength and suitability of the material in a patient’s particular circumstances that first and foremost determine what materials are most suitable for creating a crown.
Personal Care Plan
You may wish to discuss with Dr. Caputo a personal care plan, taking into account your priorities regarding other oral health needs. Discussing a personal care plan with Dr. Caputo, while not required, is an opportunity to discuss your overall oral health, personal concerns and desires in this regard, and to address your needs and wants.
Well over 90% of Dr. Caputo’s patients have personal care plans.
If you wish to undertake a course of treatment, both new and existing patients can avail themselves of Dr. Caputo’s “Special Offer” of $96 for a Comprehensive Examination and Consultation. The examination includes a series of five (5) x-rays, facial photographs, and an examination by and consultation with Dr. Caputo. See offer details.
Dr. Caputo and his staff are generally able to schedule appointments, whether an initial visit or follow up appointment, within a very short time.
