Crowns and Bridges

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is recommended when a natural tooth needs to be strengthened because it has been severely compromised due to tooth damage, a large filling, or severe decay.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a type of permanent restoration that is cemented on to your tooth that fully encases your natural tooth to strengthen and protect it.  It is an artificial cap that is specially designed to fit over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape and functionality of a natural tooth.

Why are Crowns needed?

Having a damaged tooth can make it difficult to eat and speak normally. With the help of a crown, your teeth are able to function fully again. Crowns can also help improve the tooth’s alignment and appearance. A dental crown is most often used to:

  • To protect a weak tooth from decay 
  • To restore a tooth that has been severely worn down.
  • To cover a tooth with a large filling where there is not a lot of the tooth left.
  • To anchor a dental bridge
  • To cover a dental implant.

What types of Dental Crowns are there?

Dental crowns can come in different styles, but the most common ones used are porcelain and metal crowns. A porcelain crown is ideal because it is designed with durability and strength and has the ability to match your existing teeth, allowing them to seamlessly blend and giving you more confidence to smile.  A metal crown is also strong and durable, however, it is more visible than a porcelain crown. A metal crown also requires the least amount of healthy tooth to be removed prior to fitting.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that bridges the gap created by or more missing teeth. It is made up of two or more crowns on either side of the gap which helps to anchor the false teeth of the bridge, also known as pontics. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants and are permanent.

You are a good candidate for bridges if you:

  • Want to restore your smile.
  • if you want to restore the ability to properly chew and speak.
  • Want to help maintain the shape and structure of your face and jaw.
  • If you need help to prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
  • Have missing teeth and want a permanent replacement.

Receiving a dental bridge is a multi-step procedure. In the first steps, the abutment teeth are prepared. The teeth that will anchor the bridge are re-contoured by removing a small amount of enamel to allow for the crown to fit. Impressions are taken, and a crown is specially created for you based off of the impressions of your teeth. 

Once the impressions are done and the crowns have been created, the bridge will be checked and adjusted as necessary to make sure there is a proper fit. The bridge will then be permanently cemented on to your teeth. You will have the feeling of real natural teeth and will be able to chew, bite, speak and smile with ease. A dental bridge can last for many years with proper dental care and hygiene.