Crown and
bridges are being served to dental patients routinely as its manufacturing has
become fast, readily available. It is a dependable option.
Although, the
crown & bridge is generally considered very safe and it is associated with
a low incidence of complications, there are some precautions that need to be
considered.
Indications of a Dental Crown
- Damage of crown beyond repair
- Large filling needing replacement
- Fractured tooth
- Esthetic enhancement
- Dental implant coverage
- To fix dental bridges or dentures
- Erosion of teeth
1. Damage beyond repair: Cases where the tooth has been damaged beyond repair: If the patient has a large cavity that cannot be fixed with a filling, but the dentist determines that the dentine and pulp are in good condition then he will recommend that a crown be placed to save the tooth.
2. Large
fillings need replacing: Fillings need replacing every so often, your dentist
may recommend installing a crown instead of re-filling the tooth, the reasons
for this are the crown is a long term solution and it is aesthetically more
pleasing.
3. Fractured
tooth: In the case that a tooth gets fractured due to a dental trauma or
progressive tooth decay, it is highly recommended that a procedure known as
post and core be performed. The post and core procedure simply put, is the
placement of an implant without extracting the root. In this procedure a small
rod is inserted into the root of the affected tooth, this rod will slightly
protrude and the core or crown will be attached to it. For this procedure, the
tooth in question will require a root canal before the post and core can be
done.
4. Esthetic enhancement: For patients who have discoloured or uneven teeth, or even for those
who have large fillings the use of crowns can greatly improve the esthetic of
their smile.
5. To cover
dental implants: When a patient has lost a tooth for any reason, and an implant
is required to maintain proper function, the implant will be covered by a
porcelain crown that has been made to match your existing teeth.
6. To affix
dental bridges or dentures: A dental bridge is a prosthetic used to replace
missing teeth, these bridges are permanently adjoined to either dental implants
or crowned teeth. The dental crowns are used to hold the prosthetic in place.
7. Dental
erosion: The tooth enamel can be dissolved by the acidity in foods; when the
enamel has been compromised, porcelain crowns are the ideal solution to prevent
the progression of tooth decay to the dentine and pulp. Other forms of erosion
include tooth abrasion which occurs from improper uses of toothbrushes, brushing
too hard, improper flossing or biting on hard foods. And it also includes
conditions where natural tooth to tooth friction happens, as in the case of
involuntary grinding known as bruxism.
Contraindications
- Where anaesthesia is contraindicated
- Where filling can solve the problem
- Insufficient tooth material
- Chances of nerve damage
- Bite misalignment
- Allergy
As with any
medical procedure, it is possible that complications can arise. Among the
risk factors and contraindications of dental crown procedures, we can list the
following:
1. Contraindication of anaesthesia: Illnesses
where the use of anaesthesia is contraindicated. These may include severe heart
disease, recent strokes and allergic reactions to anaesthesia.
2. The use of
crowns is not indicated in cases where the problem can be solved with a
filling.
3. Insufficient tooth material: There is a
risk that during the preparation phase, the tooth’s surface can become too thin
or be perforated by an instrument.
4. Nerve damage: During the
preparation procedure, nerve damage can occur, if this should happen, it will
be necessary to perform a root canal.
5. Bite
misalignment, although in most cases dental crowns can correct TMJ
(temporomandibular joint), if the crown is incorrectly placed, it can
exacerbate the problem in some patients. Once the dental crown is in place,
your dentist should check the fit taking into account the surrounding teeth as
well as the whole bite.
6. Allergic
reactions to one or more of the materials. Dental crowns can be made from a
variety of materials, choosing the right material will minimize the chances of
an allergic reaction.
7. Infections,
if the dental crown is not properly sealed or if the damaged tissue was not
properly removed, the area might become infected.