What are Crowns and Bridges?
A crown is custom made to completely cover the top of your tooth. It will repair and strengthen a damaged tooth and can improve the appearance. Bridges are similar to a crown, but they replace one or more missing teeth making it easier to chew and also enhance the appearance.
How do they work?
A crown is used to entirely cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve a tooth’s appearance, shape or alignment. Crowns are also used to place on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like structure acting as a normal tooth would. They can be made to match the colour of your natural teeth.
A Crown may be recommended to:
- Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured or cracked tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
How do Bridges Work?
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth can eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. Missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporo-mandibular joint disorders (TMJ).
A bridge will span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments.
How are Crowns and Bridges Made?
For a crown or bridge to be made, the tooth (or teeth) must be made smaller so that the crown or bridge will fit over it correctly. After reducing the size of the tooth/teeth, your dentist will scan your teeth for a 3D image to provide an exact mould for the crown or bridge. If porcelain is to be used, we will colour match the shade to your existing teeth.
Your crown or bridge will then be made working from the 3D image taken, in the material your dentist specifies. A temporary crown or bridge can be put in place to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown or bridge is being made. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, the temporary crown or bridge is removed, and the new crown or bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth.
