Crowns and Bridgework

A crown is a permanent solution for fixing a damaged tooth, whereas a bridge replaces a missing tooth. Both these prosthetic devices are fixed in place, and only a dentist can remove them.

Who Can Benefit from a Crown?

A crown covers a damaged tooth to improve appearances and strengthen the remaining part of the tooth. Crowns come in porcelain and ceramic in the same color as teeth or gold, metal alloys, and acrylic for extra strength on a back tooth. They are used for a variety of purposes, including to restore the shape of a fractured tooth, cover an implant, and protect a weak tooth from damage.

Who Can Benefit from Bridgework?

If you are missing a tooth, a dentist can fill the gap with a false tooth and anchor it in place with crowns on either side of the gap. This dental work is called a bridge. The benefits extend beyond aesthetics — bridgework keeps other teeth in position, preventing bad bite, gum disease, and temporomandibular joint disorders. A bridge will also help you speak and chew properly and maintain your facial structure.

The Crown and Bridgework Procedure

The process for receiving a crown or bridge requires several trips to the dentist. In the first visit, your dentist may need to reduce the size of your teeth to fit the crown or bridge properly. Next, he or she will make an impression of your tooth or teeth for the mold. While the crown or bridge is being made, you will receive a temporary prosthetic. Finally, you will return to your dentist, who will cement the permanent solution to your teeth.