Welcome to our comprehensive guide to frequently asked questions about dental crowns and fixed bridges. We recognize how important it is for you to maintain a healthy, radiant smile, so we've compiled answers to the 50 most common questions our patients often ask about these dental treatments. From how they work to how to care for them properly, here you'll find all the information you need to make informed decisions about your oral health. Let's start answering all your questions:

1. What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are a fixed prosthetic solution that covers the visible part of a tooth up to the gum. the visible part of a tooth up to the gum. They can be placed on a natural tooth or on a dental implant. dental implant and are like caps made in a dental laboratory to have the shape, function and esthetics of a natural tooth.
What is a fixed bridge?

Dental bridges are a fixed restorative prosthetic treatment indicated to restore the loss of one or more dental structures, restoring lost esthetics and functionality. Commonly they are dentosoportados that is to say that it needs to support
on other teeth for placement, it is normally supported by two teeth.
called abutments and in the middle of these is the space to be restored. A fixed bridge consists of at least 3 splinted dental crowns.

What is the difference between a dental crown and a fixed bridge?

A dental crown is a kind of unitary sleeve that goes over a framework.
teeth or on a dental implant. The main function of a fixed bridge is to replace one or more missing teeth using as an abutment the teeth adjacent to the empty space or they can be placed on dental implants.
A dental bridge is a dental crown that is bonded together to replace only the
visible part of the missing tooth.

How do I know if I need a dental crown?

A dental crown is indicated in cases of significant loss of tooth structure that cannot be restored with resins or dental inlays. It is important to have a dental evaluation with the dentist to determine the condition of the dental structure and thus indicate the best treatment according to the characteristics of each dental piece.

5. Why is it important to replace missing teeth with a fixed prosthetic treatment such as dental bridges?
The bite functions as a perfect gear system where it has as its main functions the proper chewing of food, assisting with phonation, maintaining the patient's facial functions are the proper chewing of food, assisting with phonation, maintaining the patient's facial fullness and evenly distributing the forces of chewing. chewing. When the loss of a dental piece occurs, this whole system of gears begins to alter together with the proper exercise of the functions mentioned above, producing changes that if not corrected can lead to produce more alterations and damage more dental pieces. alterations and damage more dental pieces by inadequately distributing the forces of chewing. chewing.
6. What is the best option to replace a missing tooth, a fixed bridge or a dental implant?

dental crowns and fixed bridges Both prosthetic treatments are the first choice for a dentist when replacing missing teeth in a fixed form, however, the choice of one or the other will depend on the condition of the dental alveolar bone present, structural characteristics of the teeth adjacent to the space to be replaced as well as the patient's ability to pay.

7. What are the advantages of a fixed bridge?
∙Substitutes teeth in a fixed form without undergoing a surgical procedure. ∙Restores aesthetics and easy harmony lost due to missing teeth. ∙Restores a balanced bite to the patient, allowing him/her to chew food properly. chew food properly. ∙It is a fixed prosthetic treatment to replace missing teeth more affordable than dental implants. ∙They have great durability over time as long as the conditions of hygiene and dental control are adequate. dental control are adequate. ∙They are much more comfortable, functional and esthetic than removable prosthetic treatments. removable prosthetic treatments. ∙They are made in a few number of appointments.
8. What are the disadvantages of a fixed bridge?
∙Requires a preparation or wear of the teeth adjacent to the tooth to be restored in order to give them a stump shape. to be restored in order to provide them with a stump shape. ∙It is a fixed prosthetic treatment slightly less durable than a dental implant treatment. dental implants. ∙It does not reduce alveolar bone loss in the space where the tooth was lost. ∙It is a more expensive prosthetic treatment than a removable treatment. ∙Requires the use of special dental floss for proper hygiene.
9. Does the abutment tooth or teeth have to be worn down before a dental crown or fixed bridge can be placed?

Yes, a selective and controlled wear of the dental structure has to be performed in order to provide it with the adequate shape of a core and on this the dental crown or fixed bridge can be cemented in a fixed way. Once the wear has been carried out and while the definitive dental crown or fixed bridge is being made, the patient will be fitted with a provisional crown or fixed bridge.

10. How much wear is made to the tooth that will be the abutment for a dental crown or fixed bridge?

The wear that takes place in the dental piece is selective, it has to comply with certain characteristics of shape and depth of the wear that varies according to the final material with which the dental crown or fixed bridge will be made. This wear can range from 0.6mm to 1.5mm.

11. What are the steps for the realization of a treatment with dental crowns or fixed bridges?

These are the order of the most common appointments to be made for this type of treatment at the Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic (these may vary according to each particular case):
Appointment 1: Impression taking for provisionals
Appointment 2: Preparation of the tooth or teeth, taking of the final impression and
placement of the provisional.
Appointment 3: Metal framework testing in metal-porcelain crown cases. At
In the case of zirconium or lithium disilicate structures, this citation would not be necessary.
Appointment 4: Structural testing and cementing.

12. Is it possible to need a nerve treatment to a piece that will be placed a dental crown or will be an abutment of a fixed bridge?

It is possible that once an extensive caries lesion is removed, a defective restoration is removed, or while selective wear is being performed on the tooth structure to give the tooth the shape of a stump, the tooth may develop an irreversible hypersensitivity due to contact or proximity to the dental nerve, which may lead to nerve treatment, however, this does not occur in most cases.

13. What is a dental crown or temporary fixed bridge?

It is a dental crown or fixed bridge made of a provisional material, which serves as protection of the prepared dental structure while the definitive treatment is being carried out. The durability of the provisional crown or fixed bridge will depend on the material chosen and the duration required for its use according to the treating dentist.

14.What to do if a dental crown or temporary fixed bridge falls out?
Temporary fixed crowns and bridges do not adhere perfectly as in the case of permanent crowns and these are fixed with a temporary cement, which is not as strong as the one used for permanent prosthetic restorations, so there may be cases in which they fall or dislodge. If this happens, the first thing to do is to make an appointment with your treating dentist to proceed with the cleaning and recementation process. In case you can not attend the dental office the same day, you can clean the piece carefully with a toothbrush, and use a prosthetic adhesive such as Corega inside the crown or temporary fixed bridge and place it back in the mouth, this is a short-lasting solution so it is always indicated to attend the dental office for proper cementation of the same as soon as possible.
15. I am not confident about getting a dental crown because I don't want them to look fake.

dental crowns and fixed bridges With the advances in dental technology, it has been possible to imitate the anatomy and natural color of a dental piece by using different materials and pigments for the manufacture of dental crowns and fixed bridges, being the aesthetics,
naturalness and function the first characteristics to be restored so that the patient does not find differences between his fixed prosthetic restoration and his natural teeth.

16. What material are dental crowns and fixed bridges made of?
There are different materials for the fabrication of dental crowns and fixed bridges. bridges. At the dental clinic Sonrisa Para Todos we have our own dental laboratory in which we dental laboratory where we make highly esthetic dental crowns and fixed bridges of zirconium, lithium disilicate and zirconium, lithium disilicate, and metal with porcelain.
17. What is a dental crown or fixed metal-porcelain bridge?

They are restorations made where the internal part of the dental crown or fixed bridge is made of metal, while the external part is coated with porcelain, giving a more natural look to the new tooth. The metal used is Chromium-Cobalt, coated with porcelain, providing great resistance and esthetics.

18. What is a zirconium dental crown or fixed bridge?

They are restorations made with zirconium oxide, they are metal-free, which gives them high esthetics and they are the most resistant on the market.

What is a lithium disilicate or Emax dental crown or fixed bridge?

Lithium disilicate is a high-strength ceramic material that better simulates natural tooth enamel and is mainly used for restorations fabricated in the anterior sector for single crowns or short fixed bridges.

20. Can I choose the material to be used for the dental crown or fixed bridge?
The choice of the material with which a dental crown or fixed bridge would be made is determined solely by the dentist, evaluating the condition of the dental structures, bite, esthetics, amount of dental wear to be performed, as well as in the case of fixed bridges, the size of the edentulous gap to be restored.
21. Are all dental crowns and fixed bridges the same color?

No, each dental crown and fixed bridge is customized according to the anatomy.
and color of the patient's teeth to simulate natural teeth so that no differences can be observed.

22. Can I have dental crowns or fixed bridges of different materials in my mouth?

There are no contraindications to have different fixed prosthetic treatments in the mouth made of different materials; however, it is important to highlight that the esthetic and hardness characteristics of each material are different, so it is important for the dentist to make a proper diagnosis and selection of the material in order to obtain harmony.

23. How are dental crowns and fixed bridges bonded to teeth?
These are adhered or glued in a fixed way to the abutment teeth by means of a special dental cement. The choice of this material varies according to the criteria of each Dentist and according to the material of the dental crown or fixed bridge to be cemented, some of these are: Glass ionomer cement, resin cements, zinc phosphate cement, polycarboxylate cement, and resin reinforced glass ionomer cement.
24. How long does it take to have dental crowns and fixed bridges?
The time will depend on the patient's current oral condition, if any dental extraction, periodontal treatments, or nerve treatments are necessary prior to the placement of the dental crown or fixed bridge. prior to the placement of the dental crown or fixed bridge. Under normal conditions at Sonrisa Para Todos these treatments can last between 3 to 5 appointments approximately depending on the case.
25. Is the process of placing a fixed prosthesis treatment with dental crowns and fixed bridges on natural teeth painful?

The treatment of dental crowns and fixed bridges is neither traumatic nor painful.
Therefore, there is no need for any type of incapacity, and at the time of any preparation of the dental structures, local anesthesia is applied to prevent the patient from feeling any discomfort.

26. Are fixed dental crowns and bridges also made by dentists?

Some dentists have the necessary equipment for the preparation of
However, the vast majority of dentists have a reliable dental laboratory with specialized dental technicians who make all types of prosthetic structures using specialized equipment and under the guidelines provided by the treating doctor. At the Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic we have our own dental laboratory.

27. What is the advantage of Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic having its own dental laboratory?

It allows for a much more direct and personalized communication between the
Dentist and the dental technician, where they can modify each treatment as well as the
that allows the dentist to evaluate each step of the fabrication in order to be able to provide the
patient better adaptability, aesthetics and function of the treatment in a shorter range
of time.

28. Can the dental crown or fixed bridge be decayed?
The dental crown or fixed bridge as a framework will not develop decay over time. However, when they sit on top of a natural tooth they can have open margins over time which becomes a mismatch and leach bacteria into the tooth. If not flossed properly this can cause decay under the crown or at the root of the tooth putting the treatment at risk.
29. Can a tooth that has a dental crown or is an abutment for a fixed bridge have periodontal disease?

The placement of a crown or a fixed bridge does not prevent gum disease or periodontal disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. It is therefore essential and of utmost importance to maintain proper hygiene and daily use of dental floss and in case of a fixed bridge the use of super floss in order to properly remove the bacterial accumulation that occurs between the gum and the restoration.

30. Can I have a dental crown or fixed bridge if I am diabetic or have hypertension?
Yes, there are no contraindications for diabetic or hypertensive patients so that they cannot undergo this type of fixed prosthetic fixed prosthetic treatments, since it is a non-surgical treatment.
31. If I have a dental crown, is it possible to have orthodontic treatment?
Having one or more dental crowns on a natural tooth structure does not imply any impediment to the no impediment to orthodontic treatment as long as the patient has good oral health and hygiene. the patient has a good oral health and hygiene.
Can dental crowns and fixed bridges change color over time?
Dental crowns and fixed bridges are made of inorganic materials so they do not change color, unlike natural teeth that over the years, food and consumption of dark drinks such as coffee makes the teeth are pigmented and change their color so they give the impression that the crowns or fixed bridges have changed color with respect to other natural teeth when in fact the opposite is true.
33. Can teeth whitening be applied to dental crowns or fixed bridges?
Whitening works by means of agents that open the pores in the tooth enamel and allow light to pass through. enamel and allow light to pass through. This is what gives the appearance of whiteness. However, since dental crowns and fixed bridges are not made of an organic material, whitening does not work on them. The only way to change the color of a dental crown or fixed bridge is to replace it.
34. If a dental crown or fixed bridge falls out, can it be repositioned?
It depends on two important factors. First, the condition of the dental crown or fixed bridge that fell, that it has no fractures, cracks, and that it is completely intact. And secondly, the condition of the stump where the crown or fixed bridge was cemented, when the process of When the process of maladjustment and subsequent dislodgement occurs, it is likely that the dental crown or fixed bridge is probably that the dental crown or fixed bridge has not been well adjusted, and that the abutment is with damages or alterations in This leads to the fabrication of a new dental crown or fixed bridge that adapts to the changes that have occurred in the abutment or abutments.
35. If my dentist has already told me that I need a dental crown, do I have to have it done as soon as possible or can it wait?
Everything will depend on the current condition of the tooth structure in question. the dental structure in question. If it is fractured, extremely deteriorated, with caries or with a defective restoration, it is advisable to perform the fixed prosthetic treatment as soon as possible so that the condition does not worsen and require a much more invasive and expensive treatment. Feel free to consult your treating dentist for the time frame in which he/she recommends the treatment to be performed.
36. Are there any foods or habits that increase the risk of a dental crown or fixed bridge fracture?

There are foods that we recommend avoiding to reduce the risk of bone fracture.
The use of a dental crown or a fixed bridge, such as dry seeds (nuts, almonds, hazelnuts), toasted grains, crackling and chewing ice, as well as avoiding habits such as using the teeth to open or press packages, bottles or other objects, biting nails, pens, plastics, among others, should be avoided. Neither should metal or wooden instruments (toothpicks) be used.

37. My dental crown or fixed bridge is broken, what do I do?

The ideal is to attend as soon as possible to the dentist who performed your
restoration, which can evaluate the condition of the abutment that supported the crown or
fixed bridge. It is necessary to evaluate the reason for this fracture, which may be due to material failure, as well as to an excessive and unbalanced bite, or also due to misalignments in the restoration. Depending on the condition of the abutment, the procedure to be performed and its prognosis is determined.

38. Is it possible that changing a dental crown or fixed bridge can damage the natural tooth?
It will depend on the oral health of the patient, if there is any caries present or if the piece has already undergone a nerve treatment, these are factors that weaken the dental structure making them more fragile. However, there are techniques to remove defective crowns that are less traumatic, reducing the risk of damage if the structure is in good condition.
39. After the dental implant has been placed, how long does it take to place the crown or the definitive fixed prosthetic treatment?

The time you have to wait from the placement of the dental implant to the placement of the definitive fixed prosthesis depends mainly on the bone and the type of implant used. The time will always be defined by your dentist at the time of planning the case. It is important to emphasize that sometimes this time can be extended depending on how the healing evolves in each patient.

40. How should I care for my dental crown or fixed bridge treatment?

Dental crowns and fixed bridges should be brushed after every meal like the rest of the patient's natural teeth, flossing or super floss should be used daily as well as the mouthwash recommended by your dentist. In some
In some cases, an oral irrigator (Waterpik) can be used as an auxiliary means to dental floss, which helps its function but does not replace it.

41. Once the dental crown or fixed bridge has been placed, do I have to continue with dental check-ups?

Yes, it is essential to visit the dentist every 6 months, so that he/she can perform a dental cleaning, evaluate the condition of the tooth and take x-rays if necessary to verify that the adjustment of the restoration is still adequate for the durability of the treatment.

42. What technological advances does the Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic have for the fabrication of my fixed prosthetic treatment with dental crowns and fixed bridges?

In the dental clinic Sonrisa Para Todos we have a digital radiological equipment for the realization of periapical and panoramic radiographies, and high resolution 3D tomographies. We have an intraoral scanner for taking digital impressions.
avoiding uncomfortable impression materials. And we have high-speed electric rotary instruments, which greatly reduce the noise caused by traditional turbines, always thinking about improving the experience of our patients.

43. How much experience does the Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic have in fixed prosthetic treatments of dental crowns and fixed bridges?

In the dental clinic Sonrisa Para Todos we have more than 25 years of experience as a dental clinic, and more than 15 years specializing in fixed prosthetic treatments of dental crowns, fixed bridges and dental implant treatments.

44. What is the cost of a dental crown or fixed bridge at Sonrisa Para Todos?

To prepare an estimate, an assessment and diagnosis is required through a clinical examination and complementary tests such as 3D tomography. These allow professionals to assess the current state of the mouth, and determine the best treatment plan for each case, evaluating the number of teeth to be involved, the bite and the material with which the dental crowns or fixed bridges would be made. In Sonrisa Para Todos we establish our costs in the minimum authorized by the College of Dental Surgeons.

Does the Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic have financing options for dental crown and fixed bridge treatments?
At the dental clinic Sonrisa Para Todos we have different types of financing: we receive different credit cards for payments in zero rate and mini we divide the budget according to the different appointments or stages of the treatment so that it can be paid in parts. the budget according to the different appointments or stages of the treatment so that it can be paid in parts, and if the treatment involves dental implants we have in-house financing with our clinic. At the time of your appointment At the time of your evaluation appointment you will receive an explanation of the budget and the different forms of payment according to each case by a dental advisor.
46. Does the Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic guarantee dental crowns and fixed bridges treatments?

In the dental clinic Sonrisa Para Todos we guarantee all our treatments based on what is applied to each particular patient as long as the patient attends every 6 months to their corresponding controls in order to evaluate evolution and diagnose early any alteration in case it is present.

47. Can the dental assessment for an estimate of a dental crown or fixed bridge treatment be done online or by a photo?
In the dental clinic Sonrisa Para Todos we perform dental assessments only in person. We have to evaluate the patient clinically, checking the bite, if there is tooth mobility, roughness or pores in the existing restorations, as well as perform an x-ray if necessary to evaluate not only the dental condition but also the alveolar bone and size of the maxillary sinuses. All these factors provide us with essential data to make an accurate diagnosis and thus be able to provide a treatment plan that suits the needs of each patient.
48. Is there any cost for the assessment appointment for dental crowns and fixed bridges?

The Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic is governed by the College of Dental Surgeons of Costa Rica which contemplates a mandatory compliance amount for establishments that provide dental services. We rely on the minimum amount authorized by the College each year.

49. Where is the Sonrisa Para Todos dental clinic located and what are its hours of operation?

The clinic is located in San Jose Costa Rica, at Toyota on Paseo Colon 100 south and 50 west, north side of Maria Auxiliadora Park. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm and two Saturdays a month from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

50. How can I schedule an appointment to see if I am a candidate for dental crowns or fixed bridges?
Yes wishes know which is the best treatment prosthetist fixed from crowns dental o bridge fixed y rediscover the pleasure from smile, request a citation from valuation y plan from treatment with tomography at 3D at phone 4010-3333, at WhatsApp 7031-7979. For 
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