When the teeth are structurally damaged or missing, we can use crowns and bridges to rebuild and restore your smile. A crown “caps” or covers a tooth to strengthen its integrity and improve its appearance, while a bridge is a series of connected crowns that can replace a missing tooth.
When are Dental Crowns Recommended?
Crowns enable us to restore teeth that have been compromised by fractures, cracks, decay, or old fillings. Crowns can also aid us in protecting weak teeth, concealing unsightly teeth, or they may be used in the completion of the dental implant process. Crowns provide more coverage than veneers and are generally indicated for teeth with significant structural needs.
When is a Dental Bridge Recommended?
To stabilize your remaining teeth and to provide you with an uninterrupted chewing surface, we may recommend a dental bridge to cover the gap between two natural teeth after the loss of a tooth. A bridge is a permanent (not removable) solution for replacing one or more natural teeth in the same area of the mouth.
Explore Your Crown and Bridge Options
All Porcelain or All Ceramic – Crowns and bridges that are made entirely of porcelain are considered highly esthetic because they offer the most natural looking results. Natural light can pass through porcelain just as it passes through real enamel, creating the translucency and shade variations that can make it difficult to spot the difference between the restoration and the real teeth. This choice is particularly ideal for anyone who may be allergic to metal or who may prefer a metal-free smile.
Porcelain Fused To Metal – A porcelain crown with a metal under-layer is both strong and also visually attractive. The metal base provides strength, while the porcelain exterior provides a natural shade. Together, these materials can be used to create crowns and bridges that are strong enough to withstand the heavy forces of biting and chewing.
Metal – A full metal dental crown is the strongest restorative option, although some may consider their appearance to be a major disadvantage. Gold or a metal alloy can be shaped anatomically to resemble a real tooth, but will not be shaded to match your natural enamel. The metal crown is recommended for anyone who desires the absolute strongest restoration or for those with extremely powerful bite patterns.
For more information regarding dental crowns and bridges, please contact our office today.