Deciding between crowns plus bridges or dentures is a big decision and one you shouldn’t make lightly. The American College of Prosthodontists reports that roughly 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 40 million are missing all of their teeth. Tooth loss is common. If you live in Fishers, IN, and are considering crowns and bridges and dentures, get in touch with Dr. Kevin Ward and Dr. Molly Dwenger at Fishers Dental.
Crowns and Bridges Explained
First, crowns are artificial teeth and are attached to a dental implant in your jaw. They can also be used to cover and protect teeth after a filling or root canal therapy. If one natural tooth is removed and replaced, you’ll probably use a crown plus dental implant to replace it.
When replacing multiple teeth, multiple crowns and dental implants may be impractical. This is where dentures and bridges come in. Bridges are sets of teeth, often made out of porcelain, ceramics, or metals, that are attached to abutting crowns.
If you’re missing four teeth in a row, a dentist might place two crowns at each end. Then he or she could fill in the gap between the two crowns with bridges. Bridges are often sturdy and easy to care for, making them a favorite among patients and dentists alike.
Bridges can be fixed in place, allowing them to act like natural teeth. You can also opt for removable bridges that function more like dentures. Crowns and bridges typically last for about 10 to 15 years.
Bridges and crowns are common solutions if you’re missing just a few teeth, say three or four. If a lot of teeth are missing or need to be removed, dentures may be a more practical solution. Contact Dr. Ward and Dr. Dwenger at Fishers Dental in Fishers, IN, to discuss crowns and bridges, and dentures.
Partial and Full Dentures Explained
Dentures are entire sets of artificial teeth that can be taken in and out of your mouth. For a long time, people were wary of dentures because they were uncomfortable. These days, however, dentures are often quite comfortable, although you may need some time to get used to them.
You can opt for full dentures or partial dentures. Like crowns and bridges, partial dentures may replace a small number of teeth. Full dentures can replace all of the teeth on the top and bottom of your mouth.
Dentures are typically removable. This makes them easy to care for. You can let your dentures soak in cleaning solutions, for example. This helps keep the dentures sparkling clean.
Deciding between crowns and bridges or dentures isn’t an easy choice. Fortunately, you can dial (317) 577-1911 to speak with Dr. Ward and Dr. Dwenger at Fishers Dental in Fishers, IN to discuss crowns and bridges, and dentures.