Dental crowns fit over injured, discoloured, or cracked teeth. Dental bridges can be used to fill in the gap left when a tooth is extracted.
Crowns
Crowns (also called caps) are used to restore both front and back teeth that have broken or that are likely to break because they have large fillings. As we age, our teeth can develop small cracks which can eventually cause a tooth to break. Our dentists will examine your teeth and advise you if you are at risk of a tooth breaking.
Dental crowns can be used to:
Usually crowns are made from porcelain or zirconium and match the colour of your teeth. They are durable and blend in naturally with the rest of your teeth. There are still some situations where a metal crown offers the best ability to restore a tooth to its regular level of functioning.
Your dentist will explain which type of crown will work best for you. Dental crowns are long-lasting and can provide you with many years of service.
Bridges
Dental bridges are made from the same materials as crowns. In fact, dental bridges can replace a missing tooth by placing a crown over the teeth at each end of a space left by the extraction of a tooth.
By attaching a manufactured tooth to each of these crowns, the gap is filled in. The manufactured tooth appears to come out of your gums, but it is actually hanging onto each of the crowns on either side of the space, and the resulting effect is quite natural.
Bridges can be considered cosmetic, but they are much more than that. Bridges help to stop teeth from shifting after a tooth has been pulled. If teeth shift, it is more difficult to properly brush and floss . This can lead to gum disease and cavities. By replacing an extracted tooth with a bridge, you stabilize the position of your teeth. Bridges also help you to chew your food by giving your teeth in the opposite jaw something to work with.
