Crowns and Bridges

A crown is a covering of an existing tooth. A crown is used to cover a broken or decayed tooth, as when too much of the original tooth is missing a filling will not hold. Therefore, a crown is a preferable method, they can also protect a weak tooth from breaking.

You might be wondering, why do some patients need a bridge instead of a crown?

Well, a bridge is necessary when a tooth is too badly decayed, so it is not able to be saved with a crown or if a patient needs multiple teeth replaced, therefore, bridges can be created to fill the space.

A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the natural teeth on both sides of a missing tooth. In the middle of the bridge there is a prosthetic tooth that fills the space between the teeth. The patients will be recommended a fixed bridge, this refers to a prosthetic tooth that is connected to two neighboring teeth or dental implants and is then secured into place. A dental bridge may be recommended to patients who have a missing tooth or teeth together, dental implants are not a feasible option due to health concerns or the patient desires a permanent, non-removable solution.

Unlike veneers which are designed to cover just the front of the tooth, dental crowns cover and protect the whole tooth. They are used in cases where a tooth has been badly damaged or decayed and can help to restore shape, appearance, function and strength. Crowns are generally made from zirconia, metal, porcelain, or PFM (porcelain fused with metal) and function just as a normal tooth would.

We may consider giving you a dental crowns and bridges if you have

• A weakened tooth that may fracture
• A large hole where a filling wouldn’t suffice
• A poorly shaped or badly discolored tooth
• Had RCT treatment
• Dental implants installed