Zirconium Crown

A dental bridge is an appliance made to permanently fit between two porcelain crowns. The bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth. We refer to this as a fixed bridge. Think of a fixed bridge as a permanent bridge which cannot be removed, unlike dentures which you can take out and put back in.

The procedure is undertaken with the use of a local anaesthetic. A temporary crown, matching the patient’s own teeth colour, is then attached to prevent sensitivity to cold or hot. A few patients might experience a mild tingling during the procedure, but generally the procedure is usually completed without problems.

A zirconia crown is attached to a tooth using dental cement. The process of attaching a zirconia crown typically involves the following steps:

1. Tooth Preparation:Before placing the zirconia crown, the tooth that will receive the crown is prepared by the dentist. This involves removing a small amount of the natural tooth structure to create space for the crown. The amount of tooth reduction is minimal, and the goal is to ensure a snug and precise fit for the crown.

2. Impression:After tooth preparation, an impression (mold) of the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth is taken. This impression is used to create a precise replica of the tooth and its surrounding area, which is sent to a dental laboratory. In the lab, technicians will use the impression to custom-fabricate the zirconia crown.

3. Temporary Crown:While waiting for the zirconia crown to be fabricated, the dentist may place a temporary crown over the prepared tooth to protect it and maintain aesthetics. Temporary crowns are typically made from acrylic or other temporary materials.

4. Crown Fabrication:At the dental laboratory, skilled technicians use the impression to create the zirconia crown. This process may involve CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) technology to ensure a precise fit and accurate shape.

5. Try-In:Once the zirconia crown is ready, the patient returns to the dental office for a try-in appointment. During this appointment, the dentist checks the fit, color, and aesthetics of the crown. Adjustments can be made to ensure a proper fit and a natural appearance.

6. Final Cementation:If the zirconia crown meets the dentist's and patient's approval, it is permanently cemented in place. The dentist will carefully clean and prepare the tooth, ensuring it is free from debris and moisture. Then, dental cement is applied to the inside of the crown, and the crown is carefully seated onto the prepared tooth.

7. Excess Cement Removal:Any excess cement that oozes out from under the crown is removed by the dentist. Leaving excess cement can lead to gum irritation and other complications.

8. Bite Adjustment:The dentist will check the patient's bite to ensure that it is comfortable and that the crown does not interfere with the natural occlusion (how the upper and lower teeth come together when biting).