Crowns and bridges are among the common treatment options in your dentist's arsenal to help repair your incomplete smile. They are devices, referred to as appliances in the industry, that are typically used to correct the absence of a tooth or to return a damaged one to full use. It all begins with a visit and a checkup, so reach out to your local dentists in Chicago and River Forest, IL, Dr. John Lynch, Dr. Sheila Lynch, and Dr. Frances Lynch of the Lynch Dental Center.
Crowns
Crowns have a variety of uses in dentistry, but the easiest way to understand them is to think of them as caps because that is how they are implemented. They can be used to cover a tooth that is misshaped or discolored, whether because of injury, decay, or wear. They can also be used on a tooth that has received root canal treatment.
Its use however isn't simply to cover up the offending tooth, to make it simply look like your natural ones, but also to reinforce it and give it back its function.
Before a crown can be cemented into place, the tooth must be reshaped and reduced in size. This is done because it is meant to be a permanent fix, it must fit properly and have enough mass of its own to replace your tooth.
Because it often must be made in a lab your dentist may fit you for a temporary crown until your permanent one is ready.
Bridges
Bridgework's main role is that of filling gaps in your smile. If you've lost one or multiple teeth your dentist may recommend the treatment.
The way this is typically accomplished is by preparing the teeth adjacent to the gap so that each can accept a crown, these will serve as anchors for the new tooth. The final bridge will be a single piece composed of two crowns and a replacement tooth bridged in between these.
Crowns and Bridges in Chicago and River Forest, IL
If you have teeth that are worn or chipped, or an unsightly gap, know that you have options to return your natural smile. So make an appointment today, get in contact with the professionals of the Lynch Dental Center in Chicago and River Forest, IL, by dialing (312) 263-3235 and (708) 366-6411 respectively.
