Dental crowns and bridges are restorative dentistry techniques that are designed to repair damaged teeth, or to replace them entirely.

Dental Crowns
Dr Zaki Bashir might recommend you have a dental crown if you have a tooth that is damaged due to decay, or to trauma. It might also be necessary to crown a tooth if you have had root canal treatment, or if the tooth has an extremely large filling that has weakened the overall structure leaving it at risk of fracturing. Dental crowns are extremely good at protecting the remaining part of the tooth from any further damage as they completely cap or cover the tooth right down to the gum line.

Dental Bridges
If you have one or more missing teeth then one choice is to have a dental bridge. This consists of dental crowns on the teeth adjacent to the space, and these are attached to the replacement tooth which is called a pontic. The overall effect of a dental bridge can be extremely nice, and this is a good choice of tooth replacement if the teeth adjacent to the gap would benefit from being crowned. If these teeth are perfectly healthy and strong and are regularly shaped then a better option might be to consider dental implants, as a dental implant doesn’t need to be supported in this way so the adjacent teeth can remain intact.

Crowns and bridges can be made from a variety of different materials, as they can be made entirely from a gold alloy that is highly polished, or they can be made from porcelain fused to metal which is where the metal substructure is covered up with tooth coloured porcelain. If you are interested in gaining the very best aesthetic appearance then it’s worth asking Dr Bashir about all ceramic crowns.

All-Ceramic Crowns and Bridges
These are top quality crowns that don’t contain any metal, and in fact one option for dental crowns is to have a CEREC crown that can be made on site at the Bromley Dental Practice, and this costs a similar amount to a conventional crown that will be made in a dental laboratory. If you need a dental bridge in Bromley then this will have a very strong substructure made out of a very special type of porcelain called zirconia. This is capable of supporting very large bridges that can span an entire upper or lower arch of teeth and provides top-quality results.

If you had a crown or bridge made some years ago then you might be surprised at just how far dental technology has advanced, as today’s modern restorations can look beautifully natural, enhancing your smile and blending in with the rest of your natural teeth. It’s very easy to look after crowns and bridges; dental crowns can be brushed and flossed as normal, and your dentist in Bromley will show you how to clean around the pontics of a bridge to keep this area clean and hygienic.

If you have ever had a conventional dental crown then you will know it requires at least two visits to your dentist, and involves the hassle of having a temporary crown in position for two weeks or more. There is a solution, as Bromley Dental Practice can make and fit CEREC crowns and porcelain fillings in just one quick visit. Dr Zaki Bashir has been providing patients with these crowns for many years, and they have several clear advantages over conventional crowns. CEREC crowns do not require any messy impressions, and the fit can be exceptional thanks to the use of CAD/CAM technology. There is no need to worry about temporary crowns becoming loose or falling out, or being swallowed.

What Could CEREC Do For You?
If you know you need a new crown, then opting for CEREC in Bromley could help save you time without the need to compromise on results. There is no difference in price, and our CEREC machine produces high quality restorations that work in harmony with your natural teeth. Once they are bonded in position then they are extremely strong, and can look quite beautiful.

CEREC is also ideal for repairing decay in back teeth and for replacing old amalgam fillings, especially if the area to be filled is pretty large. When the back teeth are substantially decayed then it is often not an option to repair the teeth with conventional composite resin, and this because it would not be strong enough to hold the tooth together. Instead, opting for a porcelain CEREC filling (called an inlay) can restore strength to the tooth, and is virtually invisible.

If you have a chipped front tooth then CEREC could be ideal for repairing the damage as it can be used to fabricate beautiful porcelain veneers. It is the ideal solution if you have a special event coming up, and have just lost a crown or damaged a tooth. There is no need to worry about having to go away on holiday or attending that family wedding with a temporary crown, and no need to avoid sticky foods that may dislodge a temporary filling.

What is the Procedure for Having a CEREC Restoration?
It is very straightforward, as your tooth will be prepared using a local anaesthetic to ensure you are comfortable. From then on it is a little different. Instead of taking an impression your tooth will be scanned using an infrared camera. The information is sent to a computer, and our dentist in Bromley will design your crown, veneer or inlay straightaway. Next, the design is sent to the CEREC milling machine so your restoration can be milled from a solid block of porcelain. We keep a large stock of porcelain blocks on site in many different shades and translucencies. Once the restoration has been milled, it is hand finished before being fitted and bonded into position. You’ll leave our surgery with your new crown, veneer or inlay completely finished.