Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges

Crowns and bridges are fixed dental devices. Unlike dentures, which you can remove and clean, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants and can only be removed by a dentist.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth. It strengthens the tooth and can improve its appearance, shape, or alignment. Crowns can also cover implants to give them a tooth-like shape and structure. They can be made from porcelain, ceramic, gold, metal alloys, or a mix of these materials. Porcelain and ceramic crowns can match the color of your natural teeth.

Dentist might suggest a crown to:

• Replace a large filling when there's not enough tooth structure left.
• Protect a weak tooth from breaking.
• Restore a fractured tooth.
• Attach a bridge.
• Cover a dental implant.
• Cover a discolored or misshapen tooth.
• Cover a root canal treated tooth (non-vital tooth).

What Are Tooth Bridges?

A bridge is one of the options when you have missing one or more teeth. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to move into the empty space, leading to a bad bite, gum disease, and TMJ disorders. Bridges can fill the gap left by missing teeth. They are cemented to the teeth or implants around the empty space, called abutments. These abutments serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns covering the abutments. Bridges can be made from materials like porcelain or ceramic, which can match the color of your natural teeth.

How Are Crowns and Bridges Made?

Before making a crown or bridge, the tooth must be reduced in size. Then, the dentist takes an impression to create a mold or take a 3D scan. Next, the dentist will match the shade to your existing teeth. A dental lab makes the crown or bridge from this mold or the 3D scan. While waiting for the permanent crown or bridge, a temporary crown or bridge is placed. Once the permanent one is ready, the dentist removes the temporary and cements the permanent crown or bridge.

How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?

Crowns and bridges can last very long but sometimes may experience crown/bridge loose or fracture. Good oral hygiene is crucial for their longevity. Brush with toothpaste twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. Avoid chewing hard foods, ice, or other hard objects to prevent damage.

By keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you can help ensure your crowns and bridges last a long time.