What Exactly Are Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges?

In the way of prosthetic dental devices, crowns and dental bridges are the way to go. The two are wrongly categorised with dentures due to this prosthetic nature, but unlike dentures, bridges and crowns cannot be removed by the wearer.

Bridges and crowns are relatively permanent fixtures that are cemented to teeth or implants. They both carry different functions when it comes to teeth, as detailed below.

What are Crowns?

Crowns are used to cover a damaged tooth in an attempt to not only strengthen the tooth, but to improve overall appearance, shape or alignment. Although it is most common that a crown will be placed on top of a tooth, they can also be placed over implants to provide a realistic, tooth-like shape and structure and porcelain crowns can be developed to match the natural colour of existing teeth. However, crowns can also be made out of metal, gold, ceramic and acrylic materials, which are generally stronger than their porcelain counterpart and recommended in the replacement of molars.

Crowns are recommended in the cases of:

• Replacing a larger filling when there isn’t a lot of tooth remaining
• Strengthen a fractured tooth, or protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant
• Restore the appearance of a tooth
• Protect a tooth that has gone under root canal treatment

What is a Bridge?

Bridges are often suggested if a person is missing one or more teeth and are put in place to remedy the gaps left by missing teeth and slow down the potential for teeth to rotate or fill the gaps left. Bridges will span the space that any missing teeth have left, being cemented to the teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. Your teeth or implants in this case will serve as an anchor for the bridge. The neighbouring, anchoring teeth will be covered to facilitate the middle fake tooth on the bridge that will fill the gap left.

Characteristics

Both crowns and bridges are said to last a lifetime, however it is natural that they sometimes become loose and, in some cases, fall out. To avoid this, it is important to practice great dental hygiene. This means keeping teeth and gum area healthy through regular brushing and flossing on teeth.

If you believe you are in need of a crown or bridge, or simply want to check your dental health, get in touch with the team at Dental on Clarendon!

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.