Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental Crowns and Bridges
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown or ‘cap’ is a prosthetic tooth covering used to cover or encase a damage or discoloured tooth. Typically made using a porcelain, ceramic, acrylic, gold or metal alloy, a crown can improve the appearance and functionality of a tooth, as well as protect it from infection.
Cosmetic Crowns
Cosmetic crowns are ideal for capping teeth that are:
- Damaged
- Weak
- Heavily filled
- Root-canal filled
- Cracked
- Discoloured
Dentists can use crowns to either completely or partially cover the tooth, aiming to improve its appearance and functionality. Crowns are recommended if a filling can’t make the tooth strong enough on its own over time. Apart from improving the appearance of a tooth, crowns can increase the integrity of the tooth. This, in turn, can help you eat, talk and smile with greater confidence.
What is a Dental Bridge?
Dental ‘bridges’ (as the name suggests) are implemented to fill in gaps between teeth. They consist of artificial teeth and are fastened to the teeth on either side of the gaps. Bridges are ideal for patients who are self-conscious about their smile and want to chew with greater ease.
Cosmetic Bridges
Cosmetic bridges are non-removable false teeth that ‘bridge’ gaps between your existing teeth. The
cosmetic bridge is fixed in place by attaching it to one or multiple teeth on either side of the gap. In addition to looking seamlessly natural, cosmetic bridges serve as a great alternative to implants or dentures which both require more work. Apart from their visual appeal, cosmetic bridges can help you resume normal chewing function. They also mitigate the risk of tooth overloading, which can damage existing teeth. To fabricate a cosmetic bridge, we place a dental crown or ‘cap’ on both natural teeth either side of the gap, with a false tooth.
Your bridge can be made from natural-looking porcelain, ceramic, zirconia or porcelain fused-to- metal (PFM). Typically, the entire bridge design, preparation and implementation process can be completed over the course of two appointments.