Crowns

Crowns are utilized when no other more conservative restoration can be utilized to restore a tooth. Crowns are made of porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal, usually gold. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following procedures such as a root canal, a fractured or cracked tooth or when decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed. Crowns are custom made restorations designed to restore the esthetics and function of the tooth. Crowns also serve an aesthetic use, and are applied when a discolored or stained tooth needs to be restored to its natural appearance.

Bridgework

Bridgework or bridges are a series of crowns connected together that replaces a single missing tooth or a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridgework are barely noticeable and natural-looking and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.

Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, because they are semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants.

Crowns and Bridgework are esthetic and functional restorations that can be used to replace teeth, repair teeth and restore dental implants.
Procedures

Main Line restorative dentist, Dr. Vito is a graduate of the prestigious Periodontal Prostheis Program at the University of Pennsylvanai School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Vito has been doing adult, advanced restorative and full mouth reconstructive dentistry since 1987. Dr. Vito works with a dental ceramist in his office to ensure the best fitting and esthethic restorations.

A tooth must usually be reduced in size to accommodate a crown. An impression is made of the prepared tooth/teeth and a temporary restoration is made. The impression is sent to Dr. Vito's lab, which manufactures a custom-designed crown. The patient returns typically two weeks later to Dr. Vito's Wayne dental office where the permanent crown/ bridgework to be inserted.

Crowns are sometimes confused with veneers, but they are quite different. Veneers are typically applied only to relatively small areas.

Caring For Your Crowns

With proper care, a good quality crown could last up to eight years or longer. It is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration.

Certain behaviors such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding) significantly shorten the life of a crown. Moreover, eating brittle foods, ice or hard candy can compromise the adhesion of the crown, or even damage the crown.

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