Teeth may be strong but they are not indestructible. When teeth get damaged either due to an injury, tooth decay, or just old age, you might need to have a procedure done to keep your teeth protected from more damage. Eventually, many adults have their real teeth replaced with dentures as many adult teeth fall out as we get older. But if a specific tooth or group of teeth have an issue when you are younger, you might need a special procedure like a dental bridge or a dental crown. If you have questions about tooth issues, please contact our offices or give us a call for more info.
A dental crown is a synthetic cap that is attached and bonded to a tooth. When there is a small amount of decay on a tooth it might be possible to simply drill out the infected section and replace it with a traditional filling. But if there is significant decay, especially to the chewing surface of a tooth you might need a crown. Crowns are also often used for chipped or cracked teeth when the chip or crack is near the top of the tooth. Chewing on tough foods especially foods you shouldn’t chew on like ice can add extra stress to your teeth and cause it to crack or chip over time. Another application of dental crowns is for after getting root canals. A root canal is performed when infection spreads to the tooth root. Like with a filling the infection must be removed and the hole needs to be filled. After that a crown is often applied to protect the top of the tooth.
A dental bridge is a false tooth that is held in place by connecting to other teeth. A bridge can contain a single tooth or multiple. There are also various ways to attach it. The most standard way is for the bridge to be anchored on both sides to the abutment teeth. Crowns are placed on abutment teeth to hold the bridge in place. In some cases a bridge is only attached to a single tooth.
If you live in the Chicago area, we can help with dental appointments. Give us a call or use our appointment scheduling tool to schedule an appointment for you or a member of your family.
