Damaged or missing teeth can affect your oral health and function. At Iris Dental in Melbourne, we offer effective solutions to restore your smile with dental crowns and bridges. These restorative treatments are designed to provide both functional and aesthetic benefits, ensuring you can smile with satisfaction again.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns, often referred to as “tooth caps,” are custom-made restorations that cover and encase a damaged or weakened tooth. Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that have been affected by decay, trauma, or structural issues. They are also used to improve the appearance of a tooth that is misshapen or discoloured.
At Iris Dental, we use high-quality materials such as porcelain, gold, and porcelain-bonded-to-metal to create crowns that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Crowns are designed to provide strength and durability, making them an excellent option for teeth that need extra support.
The Crown Placement Process
- Initial Consultation: We start with a thorough examination to assess the condition of your tooth. X-rays may be taken to evaluate the tooth’s root and surrounding bone structure.
- Tooth Preparation: The damaged tooth is prepared by removing any decay or damaged areas. We then shape the tooth to ensure a proper fit for the crown.
- Impressions and Temporary Crown: We take impressions of your prepared tooth to create a custom crown. A temporary crown is placed while your permanent crown is being fabricated.
- Crown Placement: Once your permanent crown is ready, we will place it over your prepared tooth, ensuring a proper fit and making any necessary adjustments for comfort and function.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices used to replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth, called pontics, which are anchored to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Bridges are designed to “bridge” the gap created by missing teeth, restoring both function and appearance.
Bridges can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, to match your natural teeth. They are a reliable and comfortable solution for filling gaps left by missing teeth.
The Bridge Placement Process
- Initial Consultation: We evaluate your oral health and determine if a bridge is the right solution for you. X-rays and impressions may be taken to plan the placement of the bridge.
- Preparation of Adjacent Teeth: The teeth on either side of the gap (abutment teeth) are prepared by removing a small amount of enamel to make room for the bridge.
- Impressions and Temporary Bridge: Impressions are taken to create a custom bridge. A temporary bridge is placed to protect the exposed teeth while your permanent bridge is being made.
- Bridge Placement: Once your permanent bridge is ready, we will place it and make adjustments to ensure a proper fit and comfortable bite.
Benefits of Crowns and Bridges
- Restoration of Function: Both crowns and bridges restore the ability to chew and speak properly, which can be affected by damaged or missing teeth.
- Improved Aesthetics: Crowns and bridges can enhance the appearance of your smile by restoring natural tooth shape and colour.
- Durability: Made from high-quality materials, crowns and bridges are designed to withstand everyday wear and tear.
- Protection: Crowns protect weakened teeth from further damage, while bridges fill gaps left by missing teeth, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting.
Crowns and Bridges at Iris Dental
At Iris Dental in Melbourne, our skilled team is dedicated to providing personalised care and high-quality restorations. Whether you need a crown to strengthen a damaged tooth or a bridge to replace missing teeth, we are here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
If you’re interested in learning more about dental crowns and bridges or would like to schedule a consultation, contact Iris Dental today. Let us help you restore your smile with effective and reliable solutions.