Unfortunately, the routine removal of temporary restorations does not parallel the decisions that must be made when a patient presents with a defective crown and bridge that need to be removed and replaced with a new restoration. The same techniques used for the removal of temporary restorations can lead to disastrous results. While there are many designs of crown removers that use a bumping force created by a weight sliding on a bar or an air-driven motor to knock the crown or bridge off the tooth, these devices are radical and can cause considerable damage. A crown bumper, even if it is well controlled, can cause fracture of the crown of the tooth, root fracture, pulpal injury, or injury of the periodontal ligament.

For this reason, the rationale and technique for safe and atraumatic removal of defective crowns and bridges using a dentated bur and a professional crown remover.

When cutting through the existing crown, it is important that:
- The initial cut is made to visualize the metal of the crown, the cement line, and dentin of the crown preparations when cutting through the metal
- When sectioning the crown, the tooth not be cut into creating a notch; this can create a hazard to the tooth when the flat end of the crown splitter is placed into the notch as a purchase point to pry the crown apart.
- The crown be sectioned completely through the most gingival portion of the crown margin, so that when the crown is pried apart, there is no intact metal holding it together.

Once the decision is made to remove rather than repair a defective crown or bridge, it is removed from the abutment tooth or teeth in an atraumatic manner. Using the methodology presented in this article, the task was found to be safely and easily accomplished.
It is always recomended however to consult with your local dental office and set up an individual plan for your specific needs.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000.

Porcelain Dental Crowns can be divided into three categories based upon the materials used.
Crowns can be:
1. all ceramic / porcelain,
2. zirconium framed
3. porcelain fused to metal.

Porcelain fused to Metal - Porcelain fused to metal crowns are very common and used as standard because they have been around for awhile and the product is known. This type of crown has porcelain baked on to high noble alloy shell.

All Porcelain Crowns - The ceramic/porcelain crown have no metal and depending upon the type of crown can be either cemented or bonded to the tooth. The most esthetic ceramic crown has greater depth of color and is opalescent. Here are the following types of all porcelain crowns:

• Procera
Procera is a milled ceramic on the inside with a more traditional porcelain baked onto the outside. One advantage of Procera is its exceptional strength. Another advantage of Procera is that it doesn’t have to be bonded to the tooth but can be cemented with ordinary crown and bridge cement, a technique familiar to all dentists.

• Empress
Empress is a type of all ceramic crown that is similar to a durable glass. To achieve a perfect fit, the Empress material is cast to the underlying tooth structure rather than baked, as other types porcelain crowns are. To achieve an appearance that is an exact match with your existing teeth, the outside surface of Empress crowns is baked. As such, the fit of an Empress crown is precise, while the outside surface contour, finish, and color are extremely durable.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000.

Three-unit bridge replaces missing teeth

When a tooth is missing, a three-unit bridge can be a good choice for replacing it. In a three-unit bridge, an artificial tooth is connected on each end to crowns. The crowns are placed over the neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place. A three-unit bridge can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused-to-metal.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bVTwXMhoHw

The benefits of a three-unit bridge

Three-unit bridges have several advantages. They:

• Replace teeth for biting and chewing
• Assist in clear speech
• Help prevent teeth from shifting
• Are supported by crowns that can serve as restorations for neighboring teeth that have damage or decay.

When you need to replace a missing tooth, a three-unit bridge can be a functional, good-looking solution.

Placing a three-unit bridge

A three-unit bridge is custom-made for you in a dental laboratory, so it may take two or more appointments to complete your bridge. On your first visit, we numb the area to keep you comfortable. We may also use a rubber dam to protect your mouth and throat while we work.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Porcelain crowns have a wide variety of uses

Some of these uses are – teeth lightening, gap narrowing, fix teeth that stick out, reduce crowding in the mouth. Their versatility means that they are used as a fix for a lot of potential problems that patients may be having.

Apart from fixing tooth problems, they can also be used to improve the outward appearance of the teeth. For those that are insecure about the appearance of their teeth or their smile, porcelain crowns can be a one-fix-for-all-problems solution.

To fit the crowns, a thin layer is shaved off teeth that are to receive treatment, and this prepares them for the crowns. On the patient’s first visit of the treatment a mould is taken of their teeth in order to get the perfect shape for the next session. The crowns are then bonded onto the teeth using a bonding material of some sort. Once the bonding has taken place, which will normally take one session at the dentist, the patient’s can eat as normal.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=17JbrgLqT3E

Crowns are very popular because they have an excellent history of fixing dental issues, and their track record is proven to work in all countries in the world. Up until quite recently, crowns were bonded to the tooth using a metal-based framework so that the crown could withstand the pressures involved with daily chewing of food in the mouth. Today, most of the time the metal framework is not required, since modern technology has advanced up to the point where pure porcelain is strong enough even for use on hard working molar teeth. The metal framework had an issue – after a few years the gum line of a patient would recede with age, revealing an ugly grey line at the top of the crowned tooth. Due to the color of the metal showing through, it was difficult to make crowned teeth look natural for more than a few years.

The advantage of using pure porcelain is that the crowns are near identical in color to the existing colors of the patient’s teeth, making it nigh on impossible for others to discern a crowned tooth from a real one. A dentist will match the color of the crown to the tooth color already in the mouth, and then they will place an order with a lab to create the tooth with the perfect color and shape, taken from the previously mentioned mold, and patients are very happy with the results, and their new smile.

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Crown and Bridge Before

Crown and Bridge After

Dental restorations restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure, which can be caused by caries or external trauma, such as chipping or cracking a tooth. Fabrication of a crown (a type of dental restoration) usually requires two dental visits. The first visit involves an examination of the tooth to determine how it should be restored and preparation of the tooth for the restoration; this visit may include a core build-up (sometimes requiring a post), fabrication of a temporary crown, and making an impression to be sent to the laboratory. The second visit usually involves delivery of the final restoration, which has been fabricated in the laboratory. In some offices that have access to specialized equipment, the dentist may be able to perform the entire crown procedure in the same day.

What is a crown?

A crown is a restoration that covers (or “caps”) a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, which can strengthen and improve the appearance of the tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth has been damaged significantly and cannot be adequately restored with a filling. A crown can protect a weak tooth from fracturing; it also can prevent a cracked tooth from further damage. Crowns can cover discolored or misshapen teeth for more aesthetically pleasing smiles.

What is a post and core build-up?

The dentist may use a filling material to restore a more ideal shape for supporting a crown (core build-up) when a tooth is severely decayed or fractured and lacks sufficient tooth structure. In some cases, a dentist will first perform a root canal, a procedure in which pulp is cleared out of the tooth and the canal is sealed with a special material. After the root canal, the dentist may place a post in the open canal and secure it with dental filling to “build up” the structure of the tooth. Once the material has hardened, the tooth can be prepared for a crown.

Will a crown look natural?

It can, depending on the type of crown you elect to have made. A crown can be fabricated from porcelain, from gold, or from a combination of porcelain and metal. A crown can look just like a natural tooth when it is made with porcelain coverage. Numerous factors are considered when determining the crown material that is best for your particular tooth, including the color, bite, shape, space, and location of the tooth in your mouth.

How should I care for my teeth after I receive a crown?

To prevent damaging or fracturing the crown, avoid chewing extremely hard foods and ice. You also should avoid grinding or clenching your teeth. In addition to brushing twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly, cleaning between your teeth is essential if you have crowns. Use floss or interdental cleaners (specially shaped brushes and sticks) to remove plaque from the crown area where the gum meets the tooth. This process helps to prevent both dental decay and gum disease.

What do I do if I’m a still confused about these procedures?

If you are still unclear about the process of placing a crown or a post and core build-up, speak to your dentist. Your dentist can walk you through the steps of the procedures and address any questions or concerns you may have. It is important to have these types of conversations with your dentist so that your journey to an improved smile doesn’t start—or end—with a frown.

Micro Dentistry

For early cavity diagnosis undetected by x-ray, our office employs Diagnodent Laser Technology. Anesthesia free and utilizing less invasive Air Abrasion, this treatment replaced high speed drilling to clean and seal teeth at the earliest possible stage. Full Story

Laser Dentistry

In treating gum disease we employ the very latest laser technologies. Often laser treatments mean no anesthesia and quicker healing times. Laser use also lessens the risk of spreading blood-born diseases. Full Story

Invisalign Braces

This revolutionary new way to re align teeth, applicable in 80% of all cases, saves time, money and patient stress over more conventional methods. It benefits teenagers as well as adults. Full Story

Mini Dental Implants (MDI‘s)

The titanium coated fixtures, which are placed in our office without conventional surgery or post-op soreness, can immediately tighten existing removable full or partial dentures. Full Story

Restorative Dentistry

General and restorative dentistry involves the diagnosis of all issues relating to the health and function of the smile, including the treatment and repair of broken, infected, or otherwise damaged teeth, gums, and tissue. Full Story

Implant Dentistry

When people lose or break their teeth, the teeth may be replaced with implants. What’s involved, and what are the benefits? Full Story

Dentures

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and the tissues connected to those teeth. It is made of acrylic plastic and sometimes porcelain and metal materials. Full Story

Endodontic Root Canals

Underneath your tooth’s outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp tissue. While a tooth’s pulp tissue does contain nerve fibers, it is also composed of arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissue. Full Story

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges

Dental restorations restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure, which can be caused by caries or external trauma, such as chipping or cracking a tooth. Full Story

Tooth Extractions

Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable. Full Story

Emergency Dental Care

Dental emergencies can be avoided by taking some simple precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard during sports and recreation and staying away from hard food such as candy that may crack a tooth. Full Story

Dental Topics A-Z

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is the newest go-to resource that’s been designed, first and foremost, to meet the needs of consumers who have questions and concerns about their dental care and oral health. Full Story

Temporomandubular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

Headaches, itching, blurred vision, dizziness, are just a few of the symptoms that may relate to this hard to diagnose but highly treatable dysfunction.

Intra Oral Images

Lets you see exactly what we see, so you can be better informed when discussing treatment options.

Plasma Arc Light

Plasma is used to cure or harden bonding materials as well as activate peroxide used in our office tooth whitening procedure. The advantage is little or no discomfort while greatly expediting treatment.

Periodontics