Crowns and bridges
Crowns
When a tooth is excessively damaged, it becomes weak, leaving the remaining walls vulnerable to cracking. The forces inside the mouth can reach 50 to 60 thousand pounds per square inch. The tooth doesn’t need to be devitalized in order to place a crown on it, but if it is, it’s preferable to reinforce it.
During a root canal treatment, the inside of the tooth is vacated to clean the canals. A crown is a good alternative to large fillings or composites, as it surrounds the tooth, reducing the risk of recurrence of cavities or fractures.
Procedure
When having a crown installed, you’ll have an initial two- to three-hour appointment during which the practitioner will document the color and size of the tooth before reducing it by 0.5 to 2 mm all around. The professional will make a temporary acrylic crown and take an impression. If you’ve had a root canal, the roots will be reinforced with a post.
The second appointment will last less than an hour. This is when the practitioner will cement the crown after adjusting its height and contact with the adjacent teeth.
Bridges
To replace a missing tooth, you can have an implant, or a bridge can be made to join an artificial tooth in the space with the adjacent teeth.
The average lifespan of a bridge ranges from 8 to 12 years, but with excellent dental hygiene and regular visits to Clinique Dentaire Richard Landry in Montreal, you may be able to prolong its life for up to 30 years.
