About

Dr. Pham received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas School of Dentistry, Houston in 1998. She is a member of ADA (American Dental Association), Greater Houston Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Recent Trends in Crowns and Bridges: Aesthetic and Practical

Implants like crown and bridges need to make use of the most modern advances precisely because they are permanent implements to the mouth, unlike removable dentures.  Developments in the material continually make it safer and more efficient for the wearer.

Modern Dental Crowns

The choices for dental crown materials used to be limited to stainless steel and metals like gold alloy. Nowadays, however, materials have become more varied, such as porcelain-fused-to-metal materials, all-resin, or all-ceramic and all-porcelain crowns.

There are certain differences in each type’s strength and efficiency, as well as their longevity. Pure material crowns, for example, whether ceramic or porcelain, may tend to wear down faster than the mixed type.

Another new type of crown is the digitally constructed Zirconia or milled crown, which can be created swiftly digital technology even in the confines of the dental office, and even without dental impressions. With this, patients won’t have to wait any longer for their crowns, and can skip wearing the temporary crown and go straight to wearing the permanent crown instead.

Modern Dental Bridges

Dental bridges also have had vast improvements throughout time. Traditional ones are put on either side of the gap, with a pontic in the middle, where the missing tooth used to be. The materials of choice are usually combinations of porcelain and metal or ceramics.

The other type is Cantilever bridges, which is designed specifically for situations where there is only one adjacent tooth in the space where the bridge would be. This is no longer used as much anymore, though, and is deemed to be potentially damaging to other teeth, especially those at the back of the mouth. Meanwhile, Maryland bonded bridges can be made from porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. These work best with porcelain wings attached on either side, and bonded to the adjacent teeth.

Lifetime Care and Maintenance

Crowns and bridges are strong enough to last a lifetime but this doesn’t mean it can do without proper care and maintenance. Don’t forget to practice proper oral hygiene; otherwise the problems that caused your tooth loss will just keep happening again. Gum care also becomes even more important because of the introduction of a new element into the mouth. Make sure to immediately check with your dentist in case you see signs of infection.

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