Dental Crowns Pecan Grove
New Teeth That Look Great & Last
Dental crowns are a beautiful and aesthetic option for restoring teeth that are missing large amounts of tooth structure. Crowns are typically recommended when a composite filling is no longer adequate enough to support the tooth or to provide added protection for a tooth that has received root canal treatment. Dental bridges, on the other hand, are linked crowns that are used to replace a missing tooth and restore occlusion. Read on to find out if dental bridges or dental crowns in Pecan Grove are right for you.
How long do dental bridges and crowns last?
Crowns and bridges are made from a combination of durable materials, such as metal alloy, zirconia, or porcelain, and are built to withstand the harsh environment of the mouth. Despite this, a crown or bridge may, on average, need to be replaced every 10 years due to recurrent decay or chipping of the crown. Bear in mind this is not a requirement; if your crown or bridge is still in great shape at the 10-year mark, there is no need to replace it!
Why do I need a dental crown and not just a filling?
Composite fillings are great for repairing small portions of a tooth. However, when a tooth is missing a larger portion, then composite may not provide enough structural support and increase the chance of tooth fracture down the road. A crown offers full coverage protection as well as a more unified look.
My crown came off! Do I need a new one?
Whether you need a new crown will depend on a few factors:
- Is the underlying tooth structure still in good health and providing enough support for the crown?
- Is the crown still in good shape and able to protect the tooth?
- If the tooth had root canal treatment, is the root canal free of contamination?
If the tooth and crown are both in good shape, then the crown can simply be re-cemented. A visit to our office would be necessary in order to verify whether this can be done.
Should I get a dental bridge or an implant?
Bridges are very functional, however, they do have some cons versus a dental implant.
Bridges
- Two or more teeth have to be prepped for a bridge.
- If the abutment teeth holding the bridge fail or develop decay, a new bridge may be required.
- Bridges may have to be replaced every 10 years due to recurrent decay.
Implants
- No teeth have to be modified for the implant.
- If an implant fails, it usually only affects the implant. The implant is taken out and placed again at a later date.
- Implants are immune to decay and can last a long time with routine checkups and cleanings.