A dentist from SE1 in London explaining the procedure and the definition of a Dental Bridge, says that it is quite a simple procedure to perform. A Dental Bridge is exactly what it appears to be, a bridge that covers an area of the teeth line to join a gap. The gap is usually cause by the extraction of a bad or damaged tooth, the false tooth is made up and attached to two other false teeth either side. The two teeth either side of the gap are ground down to facilitate the side teeth and literally rest on top of them, the replaced tooth then fills the gap. They are known as a Pontic from the French and Latin word for a bridge. The procedure is quite simple and is usually pain and discomfort free, albeit the patient will need a little time to get used to the new tooth. The bridge helps to fill gaps where food and bacteria can accumulate and cause gum disease, it also assists in cases where the smile and even the face may be distorted due to a missing tooth. This is a preventative method of dental care as opposed to a purely cosmetic one, and it is essential in all cases of missing teeth to prevent other problems occurring later on. The most common type of Dental Bridges in use is the fixed bridge, which consists of a metal base covered in a porcelain coating and fixed permanently to the line of teeth with a cement solution. Other types are made of plastic and are again fitted using an invisible solution of resin, this includes the Maryland Bridge. The other common type is a Cantilever Bridge which is used when there is only one tooth available to anchor to.

As a practical solution to an unattractive and sometimes painful dental problem, a dental crown is hard to beat. A well designed and fitted dental crown is an elegant and aesthetically pleasing protective barrier against further dental damage or simply a restorative cosmetic device used to improve the smile. Either way, dental crowns serve an extremely important function in modern cosmetic dentistry.

A dental crown itself is a porcelain tooth cap that sits over the top of the damaged tooth, covering all parts of the tooth exposed above the gum line. It is cemented into position using composite resin bonding and acts as an enamel-like protective barrier against further damage or decay. Crowns are commonly used to replace parts of cracked or broken teeth; teeth that suffer from dental decay and unstable fillings; and teeth that have recently been treated with a root canal. In all these cases, the crown is the last stage of the restorative treatment.

Modern crowns are usually made from porcelain, with some metal still being used in non-visible crowns. It is now possible to manufacture the crown from a single piece of porcelain in a matter of minutes. This not only increases the strength of the crown itself as there are no fragile joints, but it also reduces treatment and production time helping to keep costs down.

Make an appointment with a South East London dentist if you think you have a tooth that could benefit from a dental crown. It could mean an end to the pain of dental trauma and the restoration of your smile in one straightforward procedure.