Crowns
& Tooth Replacement

What Is A Dental Crown?

A crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth and restores its shape and strength. Crowns are often placed over a tooth that has cracked around a large filling, or one that has worn down over the years. At the first visit, the tooth is shaped, and a temporary crown is fitted while the permanent one is made by a dental laboratory. It is then fitted at a second visit to the dental practice.

How Does A Bridge Replace A Missing Tooth?

A bridge fills a gap by joining an artificial tooth to crowns on the teeth either side. It is fixed in place, although you will need to clean underneath it with floss threaders or small brushes. If the teeth on either side are healthy and unfilled, an implant-supported tooth avoids having to crown them at all.

What Types of Dentures Are Available?

Partial dentures clip onto your remaining teeth, while full dentures rest on the gums. New dentures are adjusted at the dental practice as your mouth gets used to them. When you first get dentures, it helps to know that:

• speech may feel different for the first week or two
• soft foods cut into small pieces are easiest at the start
• sore spots are common early on, and small adjustments can usually ease them
• dentures should come out at night and be cleaned daily

How Long Will Your Restoration Last?

With good care, crowns and bridges often last ten to fifteen years or longer. Dentures may need relining as your gums change shape, and if a set made some years ago has started to feel loose, a dentist in Windhoek can often reline it rather than starting from scratch. Healthy gums matter here too, as gum disease can loosen the teeth that hold a bridge or partial denture in place.