The first thing people tend to notice about someone is their smile. Therefore, the main concern is maintaining it in a healthy condition. Dental crowns are quite popular to achieve that healthy, flashy smile. However, when it comes to procedures like crowns and bridges, many misconceptions hinder a person from making the right choice. Do crowns and bridges work only for looks? Will they stick out like a sore thumb and be uncomfortable? Are they too expensive and only for older adults? Many such myths have led to unnecessary apprehension about these routine treatments. This blog will address these issues and focus on restoring teeth with Dental Crowns And Bridges functionally and aesthetically without any myths.
What Are The Common Misunderstandings Regarding Dental Crowns And Bridges?
Misconception 1: The End Goal of Crowns and Bridges Is to Only Improve the Appearance of the Smile
One important misconception people have about Dental Crown Treatment is that these procedures are purely aesthetic. They do not serve any functional purpose or are intended to enhance the appearance of somebody’s teeth. Both can render one’s teeth visually pleasing, but this is not their primary purpose.
Dental crowns allow for the resolution of teeth that may have collapsed due to excessive decay or fractures, or may have large fillings. Crowns aid in preserving the remaining tooth and its structure from further injury and also serve in restoring full function that enables one to chew and bite.
Dental bridge procedure, in contrast, helps in restoring lost dentition. For example, if a tooth was lost by trauma or decay, a bridge could span the space of the absent tooth and restrain the adjacent teeth from migrating, which may cause an improper dental relationship. In both circumstances, however, restorative crowns and fixed prosthesis bridges perform crucial functions in enabling dental hygiene, the mouth’s functionality, and maintaining the jawbone’s structure.
Misconception 2: Crowns and Bridges are Painful and Appear Unattractive
There is a common fear of Dental Crowns And Bridges appearing or being uncomfortable. This might be attributed to past treatment methods concerning crowns and bridges where the materials used were not very high quality. Nonetheless, modern dentistry has undergone a positive evolution.
Consequently, modern crowns are fabricated for each person, making them comfortable and pleasing to the eye. Crowns made of materials like ceramic and zirconium, as well as porcelain-bonded metal, resemble the colour of natural teeth. Therefore, dental crown placement is carried out so that it engrosses your mouth to an extent that you barely notice its presence.
Similarly, the bridges are also moulded so that they sit tightly in the mouth without causing any irritation. This, together with the updated materials and the use of digital impressions, has enabled doctors to make bridges, which are known as carpentry, to restore missing teeth and not even let the bridges out.
Misconception 3: Crowns and Bridges Are Unaffordably Expensive
One more widespread truth is the one that claims that the Cost of dental crownsand bridges are too expensive. It is logical to say that compared to other dental care, like fillings; they tend to be more expensive. However, one should consider them as healthy investments.
Untreated teeth may cause further complications, such as infection, or a root canal may become necessary. This is worse when a tooth is lost, and no action is taken to replace it. Teeth tend to drift from their positions, and more teeth are lost because of their position and arrangement.
Many dental insurance policies also partially cover costs incurred when crowns and bridges are fitted. In addition, your dentist can assist you with ways to pay for it so you won’t have too much trouble with the costs. They are more affordable than you would believe.
Misconception 5: Dental Crowns and Bridges Are Fragile and Require Replacement Often
Yet another idea that people have is that they may often damage crowns and bridges and thus would need replacements frequently. Actually, crowns and bridges are made to be worn for long periods without breaking.
Some contemporary materials used in dental crowns include zirconia and porcelain, which have the necessary properties to withstand chewing or biting forces. These dental prostheses, called crowns, can endure from a decade to even fifteen years and sometimes more if maintained properly over time. Correspondingly, a Dental bridge lifespan is intended to be long, mainly if made of superior materials and adequately cared for.
Similar to your existing dentition, crowns and bridges require care. Hygienic activities like brushing and flossing and monthly dental appointments will enable the owner of a crown or bridge to keep it in its best shape. Besides, habits such as not clenching or grinding the teeth and biting hard objects like ice or a pen will assist in keeping the restoration longer.
Misconception 5: Getting Crowns and Bridges Is an Agonising Process
There are many fears among patients that one will suffer pain during the fitting of either the Dental Crown Procedure or the bridge; this is, however, not so. The process of fitting a crown or a bridge is usually done under local anaesthesia. Hence, no pain is felt.
Regarding crowns, the doctors first reduce the size of the tooth using a dental bur, then make an impression of the tooth in question and fit a temporary crown until they prepare the permanent one. Bridges are almost the same, but they also involve cutting adjacent teeth for crowns that are to support the bridgework. In such procedures, the dentist guarantees that you remain comfortable and pain-free throughout the entire process.
Feeling a little discomfort for a few days following treatment is typical while you get used to your new crown or bridge. This level of sensitivity is often easily managed with a simple over-the-counter painkiller.
Bottom Line
Crowns and bridges are functional, long-lasting, and practical restoration methods for damaged or absent teeth. Additionally, several popular myths concerning these procedures tend to undervalue the functionalities of these treatments. In addition to covering up the missing or damaged teeth to achieve an aesthetic look, Dental Crowns And Bridges are critical in supporting your dental structure. For all those reasons, if you are indecisive about whether a crown or a bridge would fit you, consult a dentist, who will give you adequate individual suggestions based on every patient’s needs.