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Crowns and Bridges
At The Dental Suite Group, with clinics in Carlow, Rathdrum, and Athy, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional care when it comes to restoring your smile with dental crowns and dental bridges. Whether you're dealing with damaged teeth or gaps from missing teeth, our experienced team will ensure your treatment is tailored to your needs.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
A dental crown is designed to completely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth, restoring its strength, appearance, and function. Not only does it reinforce a weakened or cracked tooth, but it also enhances its shape, size, and alignment. Crowns are also a vital part of dental implants, providing a natural tooth-like structure to improve both form and function.
We offer various materials for crowns, including porcelain, re-cement and gold. Porcelain crowns are popular for their ability to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, while gold crowns are ideal for back teeth due to their superior strength. Our dentists may recommend a crown to:
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Replace a large filling when the natural tooth is insufficient.
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Protect a weakened tooth from further damage.
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Restore a fractured tooth.
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Anchor a dental bridge.
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Cover a dental implant.
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Improve the appearance of a discoloured or misshapen tooth.
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Complete a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment.
Dental Crown Procedure
1. Initial Examination and Consultation: The dentist examines the tooth to determine if a crown is necessary (due to decay, fracture, or after a root canal). X-rays may be taken to assess the tooth’s condition and surrounding bone.
2. Tooth Preparation: The tooth is filed down to make room for the dental crown. The amount of reduction depends on the type of crown (metal, porcelain, or a combination). If a significant portion of the tooth is missing, the dentist may build it up with filling material to provide a strong foundation for the crown.
3. Impressions and Shade Matching: After shaping the tooth, the dentist takes impressions (molds) of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth. These impressions are sent to a dental lab to create the custom crown. The dentist will also choose the correct shade to match the natural colour of your teeth, ensuring the crown looks natural.
4. Temporary Crown Placement: A temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth to protect it while the permanent crown is being made, which usually takes 2 weeks. The temporary crown will allow you to eat and function normally, though it is more fragile than the permanent crown.
5. Permanent Crown Placement: At a second appointment, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is placed. The dentist checks the fit and colour of the crown before cementing it in place using a strong dental adhesive. Once bonded, the dentist makes final adjustments to ensure a proper bite.
Recovery Timelines
Immediately after the procedure, some patients may experience mild sensitivity to hot or cold. This is normal and should subside in a few days. Avoid sticky or hard foods while the temporary crown is in place. The final crown should feel natural after a few days, and most patients can resume normal eating and speaking immediately after placement. Regular oral hygiene and checkups are essential for maintaining the dental crown, which can last 10-15 years or longer with proper dental care.
Successful Crown and Bridge Work
How Do Dental Bridges Work?
A dental bridge is the ideal treatment if you are missing one or more teeth. This fixed prosthetic helps to maintain the natural alignment of your bite by filling in the gaps caused by missing teeth. Without treatment, gaps can lead to neighbouring teeth shifting into the empty space, causing bite issues and an increased risk of gum disease.
A bridge works by attaching crowns to the teeth on either side of the gap (called abutments), which act as anchors. The false tooth or teeth are then secured in place, restoring your smile and bite functionality. Porcelain or ceramic bridges are often chosen for their ability to blend with your natural teeth, though other materials may be recommended based on your specific needs.
Key benefits of dental bridges include:
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Restoring your smile and confidence.
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Improving chewing and speaking ability.
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Preventing remaining teeth from shifting.
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Maintaining facial structure and balance.
Dental Bridge Procedure
1. Initial Examination and Consultation: The dentist evaluates the missing tooth or teeth and assesses the health of the surrounding teeth (called abutments) that will support the dental bridge. X-rays may be taken to examine the bone structure and remaining teeth.
2. Tooth Preparation: The abutment teeth (the teeth on either side of the gap) are prepared by removing a portion of the enamel, similar to the process for a dental crown (see above). This creates space for the crowns that will be placed on these teeth as part of the bridge.
3. Impressions and Shade Matching: The dentist takes impressions (molds) of the prepared teeth and the gap, which are sent to a lab to fabricate the bridge. They also select a shade for the bridge that matches your natural teeth.
4. Temporary Bridge Placement: A temporary bridge is placed over the prepared teeth to protect them while the permanent bridge is made. The temporary bridge helps with eating and speaking until the final bridge is ready, which usually takes 2 weeks similar to a dental crown.
5. Permanent Bridge Placement: At the second appointment, the temporary bridge is removed, and the dentist places the permanent bridge. They check the fit and appearance before permanently cementing it in place. Adjustments are made to ensure the patient has a comfortable bite and a natural-looking result.
Bridge Work Recovery Timelines
Mild discomfort or sensitivity in the abutment teeth is normal for a few days after the procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage any discomfort. Most patients adjust to the bridge within a few days, and it should feel like natural teeth. It may take a bit of time to adjust to chewing and speaking with the bridge in place. Regular brushing, flossing, and checkups are important to maintain the bridge.
Both crowns and bridges are effective, long-lasting dental procedures for restoring dental function and appearance with proper care and maintenance.
Why Choose The Dental Suite?
At The Dental Suite Group, we combine cutting-edge technology with personalised care to provide outstanding results for crowns and bridges. Whether you're looking to restore a damaged tooth with a dental crown or fill in a gap with a dental bridge, our team is committed to delivering treatments that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. With locations in Carlow, Rathdrum, and Athy, we make specialist dental care accessible and convenient for our patients.
All of our dentists are fully qualified professionals, and we take pride in having a multicultural team of clinicians who have trained at top institutions around the world. Many of them have also pursued higher qualifications in their fields. We have specialists available for every type of treatment offered at our practice. Additionally, all of our dental nurses are qualified, and we also support trainee dental nurses as they progress towards full qualification. Our team is further supported by skilled practice managers and operations managers to ensure seamless clinic operations.
FAQs
1. What is a crown and a bridge?
A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. A dental bridge is a prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the adjacent natural teeth or implants.
2. How long do dental crowns and bridges last?
With proper care and maintenance, dental crowns and bridges can last between 10 and 15 years, sometimes even longer.
3. What is cheaper, a crown or a bridge?
Typically, a single crown is less expensive than a dental bridge since a bridge involves multiple components and teeth. However, the cost depends on the complexity of the treatment.
4. How much does a crown cost in Ireland?
Here at The Dental Suite, a porcelain crown is €900 per tooth, and a gold crown starts from €950.
5. What is the difference between a cap and a crown?
A "cap" is simply another term for a dental crown. Both refer to the same dental restoration designed to cover and protect a damaged or decayed tooth. However a cap mainly covers the biting surface while crowns completely encase tooth.
6. How many teeth can you put on one bridge?
A dental bridge can typically replace up to four missing teeth, but the number depends on the strength of the supporting teeth or implants. Your dentist will determine the best solution based on your individual case.