If you have one or more missing teeth, your dentist might recommend a dental crown or bridge to replace the tooth or teeth that are missing. In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about dental bridges and dental crowns.
What Are Dental Crowns and Bridges?
Crowns and bridges work as dental restoration devices that cover the exposed tooth in order to strengthen or improve its appearance.
What are Crowns and Bridges Used for?
Crowns are used to entirely cover a damaged natural tooth and strengthen it while also improving its appearance, shape, and/or alignment.
Crowns can be placed on top of dental implants to provide a tooth-like shape for the tooth to function as a natural tooth.
When Do You Need a Crown?
Your dentist might recommend a dental crown if:
- You have large cavities or holes that need to be replaced or any dental structural problems like chipped, broken, or cracked teeth.
- You have a weak natural tooth that needs protection from fracturing.
- You have fractured teeth that need to be restored.
- You have a dental implant that needs to be covered.
- You have a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth.
- You’ve had root canal therapy, and the remaining tooth needs to be covered.
When Do You Need a Bridge?
If you are missing one or multiple teeth, your dentist may recommend replacement with a dental bridge when:
- You are missing one or multiple teeth
- You have a bad bite or are experiencing bite problems.
- The pain from the extra stress on your teeth and jaws is becoming too much to handle.
- You are having difficulty or pain when chewing.
- You are self-conscious about how you look when smiling.
What is the Procedure for Crowns and Bridges Like?
To prepare a tooth to receive a dental crown, several steps are required:
- X-ray and preparation: Your dentist will take an x-ray of your existing teeth before starting the procedure so they can get a clear picture of the condition of your natural teeth.
- Crown preparation: Next, the dentist will prepare the tooth to receive the dental crown. Crowns also come in various materials, and you will decide which one to use before your procedure. If your crown has to be placed after a root canal treatment, a temporary crown will be placed and will eventually be replaced by a permanent crown when the dental lab sends it to your dentist.
The treatment process for bridges has the purpose of providing prosthetic teeth to serve as a bridge to replace the missing tooth/teeth. First, the natural teeth are prepared for crowning, then the dentist will attach the bridge. Sometimes, the dentist will need to use dental implants as the support for bridge work.
The Benefits of Having Crown and Bridge
Dental crowns and bridges have several benefits. The benefits of permanent dental crowns include:
- Protection and restoration of the natural teeth structure
- Improved aesthetics: In addition to providing physical protection, dental crowns also give patients an aesthetic advantage by restoring the shape of the natural teeth. Ceramic crowns are strong and very good-looking, which goes a long way toward improving your smile.
- Durability: Crowns are the longest-lasting dental restoration option because of the strong materials they are made out of. When you have a dental crown, you don’t have to worry about replacing it every few years.
Benefits of dental bridge work include:
- Functional restoration: Bridges help restore dental functionality, allowing patients to chew and eat comfortably. Bridges also improve speaking, which can sometimes become difficult and unclear when one of your natural teeth cracks, chips, or falls out.
- Aesthetics: Due to the ceramics used, dental bridges offer aesthetic benefits and enhanced smiles.
- Durability: Dental bridges can withstand the oral forces and are therefore a durable replacement option for missing teeth.
- Force distribution: The structure of the dental bridge helps equally distribute bite pressure when you chew, improving the functionality and ease of eating.
We Can Help
Are you interested in learning more about how dental crowns or bridges work and how they can restore your smile and confidence? Contact the team at Dana Street Dental today. We’re passionate about what we do and find great reward in empowering and encouraging our patients to better care for their teeth.
Together, we can create and help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile for years to come!
