What are Crowns & Bridges?
Crowns and bridges are both restorative dental treatments that can help restore the function of your teeth and renew your smile.
Bridges can fill space left by missing teeth and can also help you maintain your natural facial shape, as well as return your ability to speak and chew properly. Crowns are used like caps over cracked or broken teeth to reinforce them and prevent further damage.
By repairing structural problems such as deteriorating or missing teeth, our dentists can help change your smile's appearance – and preserve your oral health.
Since dental crowns and bridges are custom-made, they can match the shape and colour of your existing teeth so that you maintain the natural-looking smile you're used to.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a cap designed to completely cover a tooth, giving it structure and support. With proper oral hygiene and care, a crown can last for many years.
Crowns are recommended if a tooth cannot be repaired with a filling, or another dental procedure. Crowns can be made of porcelain, zirconia or metal alloys.
How does the procedure for dental crowns work?
You will need to visit the dentist twice for a crown procedure. At the first appointment, your dentist will prepare your tooth for its placement and will take an impression of your tooth and the gum area around it, from which the custom crown will be made so that it fits just right.
Then, they will make a temporary crown to protect the area until the permanent crown is placed. When the permanent crown is ready, your dentist will contact you to have you come back in so it can be installed.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is for patients with missing teeth. It is designed to fill the gap left by the missing teeth while maintaining the structure of your smile.
They can also help prevent your natural teeth from becoming misaligned by shifting or rotating into the space created by missing teeth.
How does the dental bridge stay attached in the mouth?
A dental bridge works much like an actual bridge; they are designed to attach to your remaining natural teeth on either side of the gap, literally 'bridging the gap' that is caused by missing teeth.
Because bridges attach to other teeth, their longevity will depend on the health of the supporting teeth. Prolong your dental bridge's life by maintaining good oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist twice a year for preventive care.