Crowns and Bridges

At Hermitage Clinic we provide the highest standard of dentistry . We pride ourselves in using the finest dental materials with advanced dental techniques and highly trained dentists and dental technicians.

What is a crown?

A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape of a natural tooth. A crown is sometimes known as a "cap". Crowns are an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling. A crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance:

• You may have discolored fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth.
• You may have had a root filling which will need a crown to protect what is left of the tooth.
• It may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.

Case treated in Hermitage Clinic

Patient broke upper right central tooth. Patent wanted to replace with an aesthetically pleasing crown. Notice how we put in white marks on the new crown to match the patient natural teeth.

Please enjoy some of our other amazing transformations treated in our Treatment Gallery and read what are patients have said in our Testimonials section.

We would be delighted to welcome you to our practice. Please give us a call on 0207 481 2999

Crowns can be made of a variety of different materials and new materials are continually being introduced. Some of the most popular options are listed below.

• Porcelain bonded - this is what most crowns are made from. A precious metal base is made and then porcelain is applied in layers over it.
• Porcelain crowns - these crowns are made entirely out of porcelain and are not as strong as bonded crowns, but they can look very natural and are most often used for front teeth.
• All-ceramic crowns - this modern technique offers a metal-free alternative, which can give the strength of a bonded crown and the appearance of a porcelain crown. Therefore it is suitable for use in all areas of the mouth.
• Gold alloy crowns - gold is one of the oldest filling materials. Today it is used with other metal alloys to increase its strength, which makes it a very hardwearing restoration. These crowns are silver or gold in colour.

How long will the crown last?

Properly cared for crowns should last for more then 12 years. But the lifespan depends on how well you look after it. The crown itself cannot decay, but decay can start where the edge of the crown joins the tooth. Therefore, it is important to keep this area just as clean as you would your natural teeth in order to prevent decay affecting the crown.

What is a bridge?

The primary function of a bridge is to fill a gap when Implants are not feasible. This is made by putting crowns on the teeth at either side of the space, and then joining these two crowns together by placing a false tooth in the space. This is all made in the laboratory and then the pieces are cemented into place with special adhesives. The bridge cannot be removed. Another option is an adhesive bridge. This has wings that are bonded to the back of the supporting teeth with very little drilling involved.

Why should I replace missing teeth?

Your appearance is one reason. Another is that the gap left by a missing tooth can mean greater strain is put on the teeth at either side. A gap can also mean your "bite" is affected, because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can then lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease. Bridges are only possible if you have enough strong teeth with good bone support.

How long will the bridges last?

As Crowns Properly cared for Bridges should last for more then 12 years. But the lifespan depends on how well you look after it. You need to clean your bridge every day, to prevent problems such as bad breath and gum disease. You also have to clean under the false tooth every day using a bridge needle or special floss, as a normal toothbrush cannot reach.

Treatments