Choosing Dental Crowns and Bridges: What You Need to Know

The looks of your smile and your mouth’s functionality can be greatly impacted by tooth loss, which may lower your self-esteem.

Fortunately, modern dentistry offers effective solutions like dental crowns and bridges, which can replace missing teeth and enhance oral well-being.

However, choosing the right dental option is crucial for preserving your health and your smile’s beauty.

Whether your goal is to regain full smile functionality and appearance or maintain optimal oral well-being, clearly understanding the distinctions between dental crowns and bridges is vital for making a well-informed choice.

Difference between Dental Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetics that can’t be removed daily, like dentures. They are cemented in place, mimicking real teeth.

Crowns cap damaged teeth and enhance their appearance, even on implants. They blend with your natural teeth.

Bridges, however, span the gap between teeth, replacing missing ones and anchoring to existing teeth. The choice depends on whether you need to improve one tooth’s appearance or replace missing teeth.

How do Dental Crowns and Bridges Work?

Dental Crowns

Crowns are custom-made false teeth, often crafted from porcelain or ceramic, tailored to match a patient’s specific needs regarding shape, colour, and texture. In some cases, gold alloys are used for added strength. When a tooth is chipped, broken, or fractured, dentists use crowns to reinforce and enhance its appearance.

The process involves reshaping the damaged tooth by removing decay and reducing its size. This restoration ensures the tooth can support the crown, cemented on top, functioning as a protective cap.

Bridges

Dental bridges are prosthetic solutions for patients with one or more missing teeth. These bridges are also made of porcelain, often fused with metal for extra strength and durability. Typically, fitting a dental bridge requires a few visits to the dentist.

The teeth on either side of the gap are prepared to receive crowns as anchors. After preparing the anchor teeth, your dentist will design a custom bridge by taking impressions of your mouth. While waiting for the permanent bridge, you’ll be fitted with a temporary one to cover the gap and allow you to chew. A few weeks later, you’ll return to have the permanent bridge cemented in place.

Deciding Between Dental Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges offer distinct solutions for various dental issues. Here’s a comparison to help you make an informed choice:

Application:

• Crowns cover damaged or decayed teeth.
• Bridges replace missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent ones.

Procedure:

• Crowns involve preparing the existing tooth, taking impressions, and placing a custom-made crown.
• Bridges require preparing adjacent teeth, crafting a bridge with artificial teeth, and securing it to the prepared teeth.

Structure Requirements:

• Crowns work with largely intact teeth that need reinforcement or cosmetic improvement.
• Bridges need strong adjacent teeth to support the artificial teeth.

Aesthetic Appearance:

• Both options offer a natural look.
• Ceramic or porcelain crowns can provide an even better aesthetic match. Bridges may alter the appearance of adjacent teeth.

Durability:

• Durability depends on materials and oral hygiene.
• Both options can last a long time with proper care.

Cost:

• Costs vary based on materials and complexity.
• Generally, crowns are less expensive than bridges, especially for single-tooth solutions.

Maintenance:

• Both require good oral hygiene.
• Bridges need extra care to clean under the false tooth to prevent issues supporting healthy teeth.

Consult a dental professional to assess your needs and receive personalised recommendations based on your unique circumstances. Your dentist will help you choose between dental crowns and bridges.

Dental Crowns and Bridges in Campbelltown

Dental crowns and bridges are dental procedures that cater to specific needs. Crowns are ideal for damaged or aesthetically damaged teeth, while dental bridges are preferred for missing teeth.

At Marketfair Dental Care, we will guide you through the options and propose the most suitable treatment for your needs.

Visit your Campbelltown dentist today!

Call us at (02) 4620 0800 or book your appointment online.

We are located at Marketfair Campbelltown Shop 21B, 4 Tindall St in Campbelltown.