Crowns and Bridges From Your Local Geriatric Dentists

4 FAQs about Dental Crowns and Bridges

Older patients often struggle with many dental problems, but a general dentist that has experience with the geriatric population can do a lot to give you a more beautiful and healthy smile. Check out these four FAQs about dental crowns and bridges.

What Materials Are Used to Craft Dental Crowns and Bridges?

There are many materials your dentist can use to create dental crowns and bridges. Some of the most common materials include metal and porcelain. Metal crowns may be crafted from gold alloys or alloys of high-noble metals. To many people, metal crowns and bridges are the least attractive, but they are incredibly durable. They withstand wear and tear well, and they are not susceptible to cracking or chipping.

Porcelain crowns and bridges can be all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Both types are beautiful because the porcelain mimics the look of natural teeth well. All porcelain crowns are slightly less durable than metal crowns, but they are good for people with metal allergies or for front teeth.

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

Traditional bridges are still extremely popular because of their durability. A traditional bridge is commonly used when you have one or two missing teeth between at least two healthy teeth. The healthy teeth are filed down as they would be with a crown. The bridge is bonded to those healthy teeth, which hold the fake tooth/teeth in place.

Why Might Geriatric Dentists Suggest Dental Crowns?

Even older patients want to have a healthy, strong smile, but normal wear and tear and bad dental hygiene often leads to weakened teeth. Luckily, dental crowns can actually strengthen your teeth. They are commonly suggested if you have large cracks, large chips or large fillings.

Crowns give the tooth a solid surface again. Consider a solid clay pot vs. a fractured pot that has been glued back together. The repaired pot requires a lot less pressure to break because of the weak spots. Similarly, a tooth with cracks or big fillings has weak spots that affect its durability. The dental crown covers and protects these weak spots.

Why Choose a Dental Bridge Instead of a Partial Denture?

So many elderly patients choose dentures because they are cheap and easy. If you only have a few missing teeth, you may consider partial dentures; however, a dental bridge is a much better option. Firstly, dental bridges are not removable, so you don’t have to take them out at night or use special cleaner. You clean your dental bridge like normal teeth, except you will need special floss to floss under the bridge.

Another advantage of dental bridges is they are more durable than partial dentures. People with partial dentures may have trouble eating certain foods because they make the dentures move or slip. This isn’t the case with a dental bridge. You can typically continue eating all of the foods you love.

Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to live with weak or missing teeth. Geriatric dentists can give you a healthy, strong smile, so you can continue enjoying the foods you love without fear. For more information contact Landmark Dental Group today.