What are Dental Crowns and Bridges?
Dental crowns and bridges are restorative devices used to restore the function and aesthetics of damaged, missing, or weakened teeth. Both are long-lasting solutions for dental problems that cannot be solved with fillings or other less invasive procedures.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a custom-made cap placed over a damaged, misshapen, or weakened tooth. The crown restores its shape, size, strength, and appearance, protecting the underlying tooth. It is used to:
- Restore a broken or fractured tooth: A crown can protect a damaged tooth, preventing further damage and improving its function.
- Cover a root canal-treated tooth: After a root canal, the tooth may become more fragile. A crown helps strengthen it.
- Correct a misshapen tooth: If a tooth is crooked or irregularly shaped, a crown can improve its aesthetic appearance.
- Improve aesthetics: Crowns made of ceramic or similar materials can improve the appearance of front teeth, giving them a natural look.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridge is anchored to adjacent teeth, called abutment teeth, and covers the gap created by the loss of a tooth. There are different types of bridges, but they all function similarly:
- Replace missing teeth: A bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth, restoring the ability to chew and improving aesthetics.
- Improve chewing function: Bridges allow patients to eat comfortably, even if they have lost multiple teeth.
- Restore dental alignment: A bridge prevents the remaining teeth from shifting, maintaining the health and functionality of the entire dental arch.
How Do Crowns and Bridges Work?
Tooth Preparation (for Crowns): To place a crown, the dentist prepares the weakened or damaged tooth by removing part of the tooth structure. Once the tooth is ready, an impression is taken to create a custom crown.
Bridge Attachment: For a bridge, the dentist prepares the supporting teeth (the teeth adjacent to the gap) and takes an impression of the mouth. The bridge is then custom-made and anchored to the supporting teeth.
Try-in and Fitting: Once the crowns or bridges are ready, the dentist tries them on to check their shape and fit. If everything is perfect, the bridge or crown is permanently attached using a special cement.