Despite popular knowledge to the contrary, bridges and crowns are typically no hassle; both procedures typically consist of two visits – one to prepare the teeth and fit a temporary crown or bridge, and one to place a permanent crown.
No Pain
Perhaps the most popular myth surrounding crowns and bridges is that the procedure involves causes a lot of pain. The truth is that after these are placed, you should generally feel no pain at all. Minor irritation and sensitivity may be experienced, but any significant pain should subside after just a few days. Pain that lasts longer than that is a sign that you should talk to your dentist.
After the Procedure
Some patients also believe that there may be some irritation on the gums to deal with after the procedure. Many crowns sit below the gum line, so you may experience some gum discomfort shortly following the procedure, but this usually subsides. For crowns with metal bases, you may also see a thin dark line where the metal shows through the gum, but this should not be painful and is usually not a cause for concern. With bridges, you may experience mild sensitivity accompanied by a dull ache in the gums, but this should go away in a few weeks. If your crowns or bridges are making your gums significantly uncomfortable, talk to your dentist to make sure they are fitted correctly.
Thick Jawbones
You would think that such procedure would only be ideal for patients with thick jaw bones but this is not necessarily true. Your dentist can assure you that neither crowns nor bridges need a particularly thick jawbone in order to stick.
Professional Help
So, who do you turn to if you are interested in crowns and bridges? Most people understand that there are two main types of dentists: dentists, and orthodontists. Orthodontists specialize in the alignment of teeth, and provide services like braces. Dentistry is a broader field of oral hygiene, and includes services like crowns or bridges. However, because bridges and crowns can be visible, and because they involve reducing the size of the teeth involved, you should always take your dental care to a dentist whom you trust and whom shares your values about appearances.
Sources:
What Are Dental Crowns And Tooth Bridges?. www.colgate.com
Crowns. www.colgate.com
Bridges. www.colgate.com
Dental Bridge Complications. www.livestrong.com
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