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Archive for July 2018

Comments Off on Dental Caps or Crowns: An Overview

Dental Caps or Crowns: An Overview

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A dental cap — sometimes also referred to as a dental crown — is a fixed prosthetic device that completely encircles or caps a tooth or a dental implant. Unlike removable dentures, a dental cap is designed to be a permanent solution to a dental issue. It is cemented into place by your dentist and can only be removed by your dentist as well.

Benefits of Using a Dental Cap

A dental cap can be used to improve both the way a tooth looks and its functionality. It can also help protect a tooth from further decay. A tooth that has become misshapen or discolored can be covered up with a dental crown so that it matches the teeth surrounding it. Even broken or chipped teeth can sometimes be treated by using a dental cap. Doing so helps strengthen the tooth in addition to giving it a more uniform appearance.

Another benefit of using a dental crown is that its placement requires fewer appointments — and therefore less time — for you to be at your dentist’s office when compared to removable dentures, prostheses supported by implants and dental bridges. Though it depends on the type of crown and your individual situation, in most cases, the procedure takes between two and four visits.

A third benefit that patients have expressed about dental caps is that they take less time to get used to than other dental devices such as dental bridges and removable dentures. Their small size and placement contribute to the feeling that patients experience with most getting used to a dental crown in about one to four weeks.

Are You a Candidate for a Dental Cap?

While your dentist is the best one to make the choice regarding your need for a dental cap, the following conditions are often present when people have dental crowns:

  • A large filling that needs replacement often weakens the tooth further once it is removed. A dental cap not only makes the tooth more aesthetically pleasing, it also increases its strength.
  • A tooth that has been broken or fractured to the point where it can no longer be fixed using a filling is often a good candidate for a dental cap. Trauma to the area or progressive dental decay are two common ways that a tooth becomes fractured or broken.
  • If your tooth has experienced advanced tooth destruction in the form of a large cavity that threatens the integrity of the tooth itself, a dental crown can provide the added strength that the tooth needs. In these cases, the tooth is first filled before being fitted with a dental cap.

How Long Can Dental Caps Last?

As with other types of dental devices, the key to longevity is good oral care and regular visits to the dentist. Taken care of properly, you can expect a dental crown to last for about 15 years or even longer.

At Dupont Dental, we carefully assess your needs to determine the best strategy for your dental issues. Schedule an appointment with us today by giving us a call!

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Comments Off on What You Need to Know About Today’s Partial Dentures

What You Need to Know About Today’s Partial Dentures

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Most people have heard of dentures as a way of addressing the issue of missing teeth. That, however, might be the extent of your knowledge. It’s important to know that there are a number of different types of dentures and not all of them are appropriate for every situation. In fact, full dentures are only a solution if you have no more healthy teeth remaining on either your upper or lower arch.

Are Dentures a Good Choice for You?

If you still have healthy teeth, then a partial denture might be an option for you. Another possibility could be a dental implant but these tend to be more costly than partial dentures. It’s important to speak to your dentist about your options as well as your concerns — including cost — in regards to your dental needs.

Partial Denture Options

Today’s partial dentures offer solutions for nearly any dental issue imaginable. While the best one for your particular situation will be decided upon by you and your dentist, below are some possibilities:

  • Removable partial denture with metal clasps: This is the most common kind of partial denture. It’s made up of a combination of replacement teeth that sit on a cast metal frame that’s rigid. Cast metal clasps help the partial dentures attach to your existing teeth. Cared for properly, these dentures can last for a number of years.
  • Fixed bridge: A fixed bridge option is an ideal solution if you have one or two missing teeth that are bracketed by healthy teeth on either side. It’s made up of crowns on either end of the partial denture with the replacements teeth — called pontics — in between them. A fixed bridge stays in your mouth all the time and is cared for like your natural teeth.
  • Flexible partial dentures: These partial dentures are designed of a plastic that is heat sensitive and thin. This can make them more comfortable to wear as well as more natural to look at. Instead of cast metal clasps, a flexible partial denture has gum colored clasps that are thin and that fit around your teeth’s natural places. It might be a good solution if you find other types of partial dentures to be uncomfortable.
  • Fixed bridge supported by dental implants: A traditional fixed bridge is a great option for many people but if you are missing too many teeth, a fixed bridge that’s supported by dental implants could be the answer. Another reason why this option might be chosen is that it doesn’t involve altering your existing teeth. Instead, dental implants are placed in your mouth to both encourage the increased growth of your jaw bone and to provide a support system for your fixed bridge. A fixed bridge supported by dental implants is also a great option for people that are missing too many teeth for a traditional fixed bridge. It also stays in your mouth permanently and is cared for like your other teeth.

At Dupont Dental, we pride ourselves on our personalized approach to dental care. After a careful consultation, we’ll recommend the partial denture options that suit you best. Contact us today for more information.

 

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