Both crowns and bridges are fixed devices placed in the mouth, that is, they cannot be removed except by a dentist.
How Do Crowns Work?
Crowns are used to entirely cover or “cap” damaged teeth. Besides strengthening weak teeth, crowns can be used to improve their appearance, shape or alignment. A crown may also be placed on top of an implant.
Crowns can be made of ceramics, gold alloys or a combination of both. Full ceramic crowns are normally placed on front teeth and ceramic/gold combination crowns placed on back teeth. Full gold crowns are very rarely used these days but still retain some uses. Your dentist at Just White Dental will discuss with you which type of crown is most suitable for your damaged tooth and will outline the pros and cons of each option.
Why You May Need a Crown
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Stop a cracked tooth from fracturing further
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a root canal treated tooth
- Improve aesthetics on an already weakened tooth (similar to a porcelain veneer)
Contact us to find out whether your teeth are at risk of breaking.
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| Before Crown | After Crown |
How Do Bridges Work?
A bridge is a fixed method for replacing 1 or more missing teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to shift and rotate. This, in turn, leads to gum disease, decay and jaw joint disease.
The easiest way to visualize a bridge is to imagine 2 crowns cemented on teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth joining those crowns, thereby “bridging” the gap.
As with crowns, you have a range of materials to choose from. Your dentist at Just White Dental will explain the pros and cons of each material as well as the cost difference.
Gaps left by missing teeth can be extremely detrimental to your remaining teeth. Many people with visible gaps suffer from a lowering of self-confidence. Call us today and let us assess whether a bridge is suitable for you.
Why You Should Consider a Bridge
- One or two missing teeth bounded by teeth on either side of the gap
- If the teeth on either side of the gap are heavily filled and at risk of being damaged
- If you have good oral hygiene
- If you are missing front teeth
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| Before Bridge | After Bridge |
