Crown or Bridge?
What are Crowns and Bridges?
When a crown caps a damaged, weak, or decaying tooth, it's generally to help maintain its size, strength, shape, and appearance. If you're missing a tooth, a dental professional will give you a dental implant, on top of which they will place your crown. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry says that 3 million Americans have dental implants, and that number is growing by 500,000 every year.
Your crown will be made from one, or a mixture, of various materials. Gold alloy and other metal alloy options tend to be durable and cost-effective, but they won't look much like your other teeth. Porcelain, acrylic, and ceramic crowns can more closely match your natural teeth. Acrylic and ceramic options are known to be durable. Porcelain is a bit more prone to chipping and damage, but porcelain bonded to a metal shell can increase its strength while maintaining its attractive tooth-like aesthetic.
Whereas crowns can repair damaged teeth, a bridge's sole function is to replace one or more missing teeth. For a bridge, your dental professional will place caps on filed-down teeth or dental implants at the outer edges of your area of loss. Replacement teeth (called pontics) span the space between the caps where the teeth are missing.
Just like with dental crowns, you have a choice of materials available to you for your bridge. Your dental professional is in the best position to advise you on your material choice based on your individual needs. However, you'll both want to consider and discuss multiple factors like the visibility of the tooth, the cost, the strength, and how it looks.
A bridge spans a space where one or more teeth have been lost in the dental arch. The teeth on either end of the span are crowned and are referred to as abutments. The false teeth in a bridge that join the abutments are referred to as pontics. View the diagram below which shows a traditional dental bridge to replace a missing tooth.
How Can Crowns Improve a Smile?
Crowns fit over existing teeth, either hiding tooth decay or making teeth larger and more uniform. While fillings can be very visible, crowns are designed to match a patient’s existing tooth color and shape. Peg teeth, also known as “Dracula teeth” are a unique reason a patient may want to consider either a crown or porcelain veneer. A crown placed on top of the peg tooth can make it normal-sized and dramatically improve a patient’s smile.
What Materials are Used in Crowns and Bridges?
Crowns and bridges are most often made from superior materials such as precious metals (gold and zirconium dioxide), porcelain, or a combination of metal-fused to porcelain. Both cosmetic appearance and function are considered when selecting the material most suitable for a patient. 100% porcelain crowns are used in areas most visible when smiling. This allows for the most lifelike appearance.
How Is Treatment Performed?
At the first appointment a thorough oral examination, evaluation of your dental history, and necessary X-rays are completed. The diagnosis is based on these three factors. Once it has been determined that crown and bridge treatment is indicated, you will be set up with a series of appointments. Note: It’s important that you keep all of these appointments. You see, your treatment occurs in a planned sequence. Missing or postponing your appointment may cause treatment delays, allowing further tooth movement before treatment can be completed.
What Happens During a Procedure?
Whether you have a single tooth, or a row of teeth to be crowned, your dentist will numb with an anesthetic. Next, during the preparation phase, your teeth to be crowned are trimmed down. This allows sufficient space for the crown or bridge to fit. After this prep stage has been completed, an impression of your mouth is taken. Modern impression materials provide an extremely accurate representation. This allows for the best possible restoration with crowns that are shaped, sized, and fit properly. The crown's shade will match your natural teeth at your first appointment.
At the second appointment, the crown or bridge is adjusted for proper fit, prior to permanent placement. It is often necessary to fine trim and polish the new crown or bridge. Other factors we consider include:
Aesthetics – color match and appearance
Function – chewing and biting accuracy
Tissue compatibility – the contour of the prosthesis must allow the surrounding tissue to conform to a natural, healthy position.
How Long do Crowns and Bridges Last?
Sometimes crowns and bridges can become loose or fall out from the damage caused by chewing hard foods, ice, or other hard objects. Dental disease that causes tooth or bone loss is another reason crowns or bridges may loosen over time.
By practicing good oral hygiene, however, crowns and bridges can last a lifetime. Brush at least twice a day, floss or clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or water flossers at least once a day, and consider using other helpful products like antimicrobial mouth rinses and tongue scrapers. Be sure to see your dental professional for regular cleanings – not only to keep your teeth pearly white and bacteria-free but also to check the health of your crown or your bridge. Whether you and your dentist decide on a crown or a bridge for your replacements, we hope your new teeth make you smile.
Am I a candidate?
If you have weak or cracked teeth, a deteriorating filling, a discolored tooth, a tooth that has been treated for a root canal, or an implant without a crown, then you are a likely candidate for a dental crown or bridge. Crowns and bridges will protect your teeth, your gums, and seamlessly blend in with your undamaged teeth. They shield teeth from further damage and can repair the look of your teeth as well, preventing damage and discoloration from being seen.
