Difference between a dental crown and a bridge

Dental bridges are devices used for replacing missing teeth, while dental crowns can be utilized on the nearby projections to support a dental bridge. However, crowns cannot be used for replacing a missing tooth. Here are a few differences between the two procedures:

Placement:

How Is A Crown Placed?

To place a dental crown, the tooth is first prepared by scraping off the weakened area and decay. The remaining structure is then reformed to meet the design of the crown. If required, a restorative material, normally a composite resin, is fixed onto the remainder of the tooth structure to make sure the prosthetic gets a proper foundation. This process is known as a "build-up." Once the tooth is ready, an impression is made and given to the lab to fabricate the crown. On the next appointment, the dental expert cements the cap onto the tooth structure. Modifications could be required to get the perfect fit, to ensure that the crown feels comfortable inside the mouth and confirms to the bite.

How Is A Bridge Fabricated and Placed?

For a conventional fixed bridge, the first appointment comprises of the dental expert reducing the nearby abutment teeth that act as anchors. Then, impressions are taken and a metal framework is created. During the subsequent appointment, the bridge is fixed over the teeth. The treatment time is normally about seven days, depending on the kind of bridge.

Care and upkeep:

How should a dental crown be taken care of?

To prevent any fracturing or damaging of the crowns, patients must avoid chewing on hard foods and objects. It is also good to avoid teeth grinding. Apart from this, visiting a dental expert, brushing twice a day, and cleaning the teeth properly is important with crowns. Flossing is essential for removing plaque. Plaque around the crown area can lead to gum disease and dental decay. Regular hygiene appointments and examinations should be performed, to avoid any kind of decay and failure of restorations.

How to take care of a dental bridge?

It is extremely important to floss, brush, and visit the dentist on a regular basis to keep the bridge in good condition. If food or plaque buildup is not properly controlled, the gums and teeth can get infected, necessitating further treatment and leading to loss of bridge. It is good to use floss threads that assist in removing bacteria from difficult to reach areas in between the bridges and nearby gums and teeth. Normally, crowns over the bridges envelop most of the bare portion of the tooth and decomposition does not affect the bridge as it is created of porcelain or metal. However, the place where the natural tooth meets the bridge’s crown can get decayed. If proper oral hygiene is maintained, bridges can last for several years.

Eligibility:

Who is the candidate for such restorations?

Every patient is properly examined to find out their oral state and which treatment will work for them. A comprehensive consultation with the doctor gives the patient a chance to express concerns, ask questions, and discuss details of the procedures. The consultation process of most good clinics is focused on the patient’s individual needs, and dental bridges and crowns are used when the experts are sure the patient will experience several benefits from them.

If you're suffering from broken, damaged, or incomplete teeth, then get in touch with a good dentist and talk to him/her about dental bridges and crowns. These simple procedures can make a lot of difference in your oral health and can also help enhance your social life.

8 effective home remedies for halitosis

The problem of bad breath or halitosis has affected humans for several centuries. Different cultures found different ways to get rid of it. For instance, the ancient Greeks used home remedies such as rinsing the mouth with myrrh, anise seed, and white wine, while the Italians concocted a mouthwash of cinnamon, sage, juniper seeds, rosemary leaves, and root of cypress. 

This blog contains information about halitosis, what causes it and home remedies that can help keep the bad smell away. Here is a closer look at this problem.

Causes Of halitosis:

Finding out the cause of bad breath can be the first step in fixing it. In almost eighty percent of the cases, it's because of something inside the mouth. In fact, bad breath is a consequence of nothing too severe than an unclean mouth. Plaque, a form of bacteria that is consistently developing, is often the culprit. Another possible reason of stink could be decayed food that's stuck between teeth.

Other Causes for Bad Breath

• Dental problems such as cavity and poor gums lead to development of pus in the gums because of which bad smell starts to come from the mouth.
• Dentists also believe that patients that have poor respiratory or digestive system suffer from halitosis. Diseases such as sinusitis, and intestinal disease play a big role in producing bad breath.

Home Remedies:

Here are some effective home remedies for treating bad breath 

Guava - Guava does not just taste good, but is also nutritious and healthy. The fruit contains useful chemicals such as malic acid, oxalic acid, and minerals such as manganese and calcium. These chemicals are helpful for gums and teeth and prevent any kind of bleeding.

Apple - chewing an apple after a meal will help in keeping the mouth fresh, and will get rid of any trapped foods between the teeth.

Fenugreek seeds - This is an extremely effective home remedy that is used for getting rid of bad breath. Boil 1/2 liter of water with about a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Boil it for 10-20 minutes. Filter out the seeds and consume the tea about three times a day.

Avocado - Avocado helps in clearing out the intestine that gets clogged with unnecessary material due to diseases and improper digestion. This consequentially prevents the formation of plaque inside the mouth. In fact, doctors believe consuming two to three slices of avocado is much better than using a mouth freshener.

Fresh veggies and juices - eating less, consuming unhealthy food, drinking less fluid are few of the many reasons for bad breath. It is important to always consume a lot of water or other kinds of fluids such as freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices. Such fluids help keep the gums soft and mouth wet. Consequentially, there is less buildup of smelled sticky material on the tongue.

Cloves and mint leaves - Person who suffers from halitosis can chew on mint leaves or cloves. This helps in keeping the mouth fresh and wet. Apart from this, patients can also chew sunflower seeds, a wonderful remedy to avoid bad breath.

Parsley leaves - Take a glass of water and mix parsley leaves in it. Boil the mixture for about twenty minutes. Add 4 cloves and boil again with constant stirring. Strain the water and let it cool. Then rinse your mouth three times during the day for best results.

Lemon extract – Take a glass of water and add a tablespoon full of fresh lemon juice to it. Use the lemon water as mouth wash three times a day. This helps in keeping the mouth fresh and gets rid of bad breath.

Apart from applying these home remedies, it is also important to buy the right hygiene equipment such as dental floss, tooth brush and the like. They must be ADA approved and should fit the size of your mouth.