Most people find visiting the dentist to be a stressful experience, regardless of the fact that dental health is important not just for the teeth, but for the whole body. A large part of this stress is brought about by the fact that dentists use specialized terminology that can sound painful or expensive to the average patient. One way to make visits to the dentist less frightening is to brush up on basic dental health terminology. Everyone knows the bare basics, like “cavity” or “floss,” but most people would be hard pressed to name all of the conditions that dentists treat, or the name of all the tools that dentists use to help those same conditions.
Two treatments that dentists use quite frequently are crowns and bridges. Once you understand what these two tools are you will feel substantially less dread if crowns or bridges are recommended to you by your dentist on your next visit.
Simply put, a crown is just a hollow cap that is fitted over a tooth. It can be made with a variety of materials (stainless steel, porcelain, resin, ceramic) and can last several years. The dentist usually files down the tooth to the point that only the healthy part remains, and then takes a mould of the filed tooth which will be used to make the crown. When the crown is ready, it is fixed to the filed tooth using cement. This whole process is actually quite painless, and will help to solve many, many painful tooth conditions.
A bridge is really just an extended use of the crown. When a tooth is missing or has to be removed, a dentist can create two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap. Then, using the two crowned teeth, he or she can insert an artificial tooth in the gap which will be supported by the surrounding teeth.
Crowns and bridges are frequently used to treat problems related to decay or damage. As we age, teeth can decay due to a combination of poor dental hygiene and diet. What is great about bridges and crowns is that they can be used to halt or repair these conditions. A decaying or damaged tooth can be painful, and lead to other infections or problems. Bridges and crowns are functional, but they can also serve aesthetic purposes. When other treatments fail to whiten teeth, dentists might consider using a crown or bridge.
Feeling nervous about your next dental appointment? Don’t be! Come visit Business Name, in Huntington Beach, California. Annika and her staff will put your fears of crowns and bridges to rest, and help keep you smiling.
If its due time to replace your seriously damaged teeth and you are on the lookout for a dentist in Huntington Beach who will solve your dental problems. Then Business Name will provide you the best dental services you can ever experience.
