A bridge serves to replace a missing tooth or teeth. One type of bridge consists of crowns placed on either side of the missing tooth to connect the replacement tooth or teeth to them. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants.
Crowns (caps) are dental restorations that are placed over a tooth when conservative restorations are insufficient to restore form and function. Crowns provide support to damaged teeth and improve the overall appearance of your smile while making your teeth more resistant to injury. Some of the indications for a crown are:
- A filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.
- Discolorations and compromised esthetics
- Extensive damage by decay
- Fractures
- Root canal- After root canal therapy, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture, These teeth need to be protected by a crown.
- Bridges - When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.
Crowns and Bridges protect the remaining tooth structure and can improve the appearance of your teeth. Crowns can me made of different materials which include full porcelain, porcelain fused to metal and all metal. You and your dentist will decide which type is appropriate for the tooth or teeth involved.