Crowns

• 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. They can be made of porcelain or gold or a combination of these materials.



• A dental crown could be used for a number of other reasons, for instance:
  
  
  • you may have discoloured 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 it
  • it may help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place.

• Single Tooth Crown

  Once an Implant has been placed, an abutment is fitted to hold the Crown. The abutment and the base of the crown may be metal.
  
  However, in certain light, this can make the tooth look dull. An alternative is for the abutment to be made of white material and the Crown made of solid porcelain. This will give a more natural look to the tooth.

Bridges

• Besides having dental implants, there are two main ways to replace missing teeth. The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth – a partial denture. The second is with a fixed bridge.
• A dental bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. Bridges are usually made of a precious metal base.
  
  If the bridge will show, porcelain is then bonded to the base. Sometimes, there are other non-precious metals used in the base to reduce the cost.
• You should replace missing teeth for a number of reasons. 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.

Inlays / Onlays

• The broken or decayed tooth is prepared. An Inlay is made and fitted to the tooth. White or Gold inlays are available.

  Depending on the extent of the repair required, sometimes the full top surface of the tooth is removed. A Full Onlay is then produced to replace the biting surface.

Dentures

• Replacing lost or missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and appearance.

  A complete or full denture replaces the natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips.

  Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older and reduce their ability to eat and speak.

  

  A dental denture is an appliance which is worn to replace lost or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. A complete or full denture is one that replaces all of the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments.

  The base of a denture is called a plate and can be made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal. The teeth are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match your natural teeth. This is especially important in the case of partial dentures.

Bruxism

• Grinding the teeth can cause wear.
  
  The canines and the front incisors wear first. The enamel can be lost exposing the soft dentine underneath.
  
  At Barkingside Dental Care, we offer mouth guards and splints to prevent damage to the teeth.

Jaw Aches

• If your teeth don’t fit together properly, you can have problems not only in your teeth themselves, but also the gums, the temporo-mandibular joint or the muscles that move your jaw. These problems are called ‘occlusal’ problems.
  
  Teeth
  Teeth that are out of line, heavily worn or constantly breaking, fillings that fracture or crowns that work loose may all be signs of occlusal problems. Your teeth may also be tender to bite on or may ache constantly.
  
  Gums
  Loose teeth or receding gums can be made worse by a faulty bite.
  
  TMJ
  Clicking, grinding or pain in your jaw joints, ringing or buzzing in your ears and difficulty in opening or closing your mouth could all be due to your teeth not meeting each other properly.
  
  Muscles
  If your jaw is in the wrong position, the muscles that move the jaw have to work a lot harder and can get tired. This leads to muscle spasm. The main symptoms are continual headaches or migraine, especially first thing in the morning; pain behind your eyes; sinus pain and pains in your neck and shoulders. Sometimes even back muscles are involved.
  
  Depending on the problems you are having, it can be possible to spot the signs of an occlusal problem. Various muscles may be sore when tested, or the broken and worn areas of your teeth will show you are grinding your teeth - a common sign of an incorrect bite.
  
  At Barkingside Dental Care, if we suspect that your problems are due to an incorrect bite, we would supply a temporary soft nightguard or hard plastic appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth. This appliance needs to be measured and fitted very accurately so that when you bite on it, all your teeth meet at exactly the same time in a position where your muscles are relaxed. You may have to wear this all the time or, just at night. If the appliance relieves your symptoms then your bite may need to be corrected permanently.

Real Patient Cases