Crown and bridge are a common dental procedure that helps restore and enhance the appearance of damaged or missing teeth. It involves placing a prosthetic crown or bridge, which are custom-made tooth-shaped caps or bridge, over damaged teeth or gaps to improve their function and appearance.
This procedure is one of the more common treatments offered by dentists, but it requires a high level of expertise and precision for successful completion. In this ultimate guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about crown and bridge procedures and how to provide the best treatment for your patients.
After selecting the material, the next step is to fabricate the crown and bridge. You'll first need to take impressions, and for this, you have two options: traditional impressions or digital impressions.
Traditional impressions involve using a putty-like material to take an impression of the patient's teeth. Then send this impression to a dental lab, where experts fabricate the crown and bridge. While this method has been used for decades and can produce accurate results, it does have drawbacks. It can be messy and uncomfortable for patients, and there’s always a risk of distortion during the transportation of the impression.
Due to these drawbacks, traditional methods of impression-taking are steadily being replaced by digital impressions. CAD/CAM technology has revolutionized crown and bridge fabrication by allowing for precise and efficient digital impressions using intraoral scanners. This technology captures detailed images of the teeth and surrounding tissues.
Additionally, advancements in milling and 3D printing have made the fabrication process faster and more accurate, making it possible to provide your patients with high-quality restorations in a shorter amount of time.
Once you send your traditional or digital impressions to your partner lab, they'll create and design a model-less or traditional model of the restoration. Then, they'll wax-up, cast, or mill the restoration and apply stains, glaze, or coloring as needed. Before sending the restoration back to you, they'll check for proper fit, function, and aesthetics. You can then fit the restoration on the patient and make any necessary adjustments before cementing or bonding it to the prepared tooth.
One of the first things to consider when performing a crown and bridge procedure is the material of choice for the prosthetic.
Some common materials used for crown and bridge include porcelain, zirconia, metal alloys such as nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium, and ceramic or resin.
The main benefit of using porcelain for crown and bridge is its natural appearance, as it closely resembles the color and translucency of natural teeth. However, you should also consider that porcelain can be brittle and more prone to chipping or cracking, so it may not be suitable for patients who grind their teeth.
Full contour zirconia offers a more durable alternative to porcelain, with high strength and resistance to chipping. It also has a natural tooth-like appearance but may be more translucent than porcelain. It does tend to be more expensive than other materials, which can put it out of reach for some patients.
Metal alloys are the strongest and most durable material option for crown and bridge. They do, however, have an unnatural appearance due to their metallic color. Some patients may not want metal showing in their mouths, but they can be a good option for molars that aren't as visible.
Ceramic or resin crown and bridge offer a natural appearance similar to porcelain but are more affordable. They aren't as durable as other materials and may not last as long, but they can be a good option for patients on a budget.
When determining the best material for a patient's crown and bridge, consider factors like the location of the tooth, the patient's bite and oral habits, aesthetic considerations, and budgetary concerns.
As part of the crown and bridge procedure, you’ll collaborate with your partner dental lab to craft high-quality restorations for your patients. Labs help dentists by providing expertise in difficult cases, like full-mouth restorations or implant-supported bridge. They can create custom prosthetics that match the patient's natural teeth in color, shape, size, and fit.
Once you have impressions, you send them to the lab and communicate with them regarding case specifications, materials, and aesthetic goals to help them create the best restoration possible. The more detailed notes you provide, the better the lab can meet your expectations. Make sure you're sending information such as shade matching, bite records, and special requests for customization.
During a crown and bridge procedure, you may face challenges that can affect the outcome of your work. Some common problems include:
For the most successful outcome for your patients, consider these best practices for working with dental labs.
Once you have the final restoration from your lab, you can place it in the patient's mouth. Carefully clean and prepare the tooth before cementing or bonding the crown or bridge. After placement, provide your patient with instructions for caring for their new restoration, such as avoiding sticky or hard foods and practicing good oral hygiene habits.
You should also schedule follow-up appointments with your patient to check the health of the restored tooth and make any necessary adjustments. With proper care, a well-made crown or bridge can last many years.
By following the tips outlined in this ultimate guide to crown and bridge and communicating effectively with your lab, you can provide your patients with high-quality restorations that fit, function, and look natural.
If you're looking for a lab that can help you create dental crown and bridge, contact DDS Lab. Our professionals can help you with impression-taking and digital design and manufacturing. Contact us today to learn more about our services for dentists.