Restore tooth function and aesthetics
Crowns and Bridges are bespoke long-lasting individual restorations fabricated in a laboratory to restore function and/or aesthetics to a tooth. A crown is ideal if a tooth is either worn down, cracked, decayed or may have undergone root canal treatment. The crown or bridge can be made of a variety of materials such as gold alloys, zirconia, ceramic of various types or porcelain fused to metal
The tooth is shaved down and prepared in a highly specific manner, being as conservative and respectful of the biology of the tooth as possible. This allows the structure to be created to fit over the prepared tooth.The restoration also has specific dimensions it needs to be for success. The prepared tooth is then scanned using our intraoral scanner or an impression is taken. This information is sent to one of the several Australian laboratories we work with to be fabricated. It may be accompanied by photos of your mouth to help the lab to make the crown or bridge to blend into your mouth as naturally as possible.
A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth and involves a crown or attachment to the tooth either on both sides or one side of the gap.
Whilst your crown or bridge is being fabricated (which takes several weeks), you will be fitted with a temporary restoration if needed. This is bonded with a temporary cement. We do our best, but the temporary may not be the ideal shape, colour, smoothness or contour. It simply serves the purpose of protecting the underlying tooth and holding the correct space until the permanent crown is cemented. Sometimes the tooth might feel a little sensitive in this temporary phase.
When the crown or bridge arrives from the lab, the temporary restoration is removed, the tooth is cleaned. The crown is checked for fit and colour and then cemented with a choice of different bonding protocols depending on the material. You may expect mild sensitivity as it settles into your mouth and you get used to it.