Crowns and Bridges

Why are Crowns and Bridges Used?

• Crowns:

  • To protect a weak or cracked tooth from breaking

  • To restore a broken or severely worn down tooth

  • To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't much tooth left

  • To hold a dental bridge in place

  • To cover a dental implant

  • To improve appearance (shape, size, color)

• Bridges:

  • To replace one or more missing teeth

  • To restore your smile

  • To restore chewing and speaking ability

  • To maintain facial shape

  • To prevent remaining teeth from shifting

 

Types of Crowns

• Metal Crowns: Strong and durable, usually used for out-of-sight back teeth (made of gold, palladium, nickel, chromium).

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal Crowns: Metal base with tooth-colored porcelain on top, for better aesthetics.

• All-ceramic or All-porcelain Crowns: Best for front teeth for natural look and good aesthetics.

• Resin Crowns: Less expensive but wear down faster than other types.

• Zirconia Crowns: Strong and natural looking, good for both front and back teeth.

 

Types of Bridges

• Traditional Bridges: Most common, involve crowns on either side of the missing tooth with a pontic in between.

• Cantilever Bridges: Used when there are adjacent teeth only on one side of the missing tooth or teeth.

• Maryland Bridges (Resin-bonded Bridges): Use metal or porcelain framework bonded to back of adjacent teeth, less invasive.

• Implant-supported Bridges: Supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth.

 

How Are Crowns and Bridges Made?

For Crowns:

1. Tooth Preparation: Dentist reshapes the tooth by filing it down to make room for the crown.

2. Impression: Take an impression (mold) of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth.

3. Temporary Crown: A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made.

4. Permanent Crown: The impression is sent to a dental lab where the crown is fabricated (can take 1-3 weeks).

5. Fitting and Cementing: At the next visit, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is checked for fit and cemented in place.

 

For Bridges:

1. Preparation: The abutment teeth on either side of the gap are reshaped to support crowns.

2. Impression: An impression of the prepared teeth and the gap is taken.

3. Temporary Bridge: A temporary bridge is placed to protect the area.

4. Fabrication: The bridge (with pontic and crowns) is made in a lab.

5. Placement: The temporary bridge is removed, and the permanent bridge is fitted and cemented.

 

 Number of Visits

• Crowns: Usually 2 visits

  • Visit 1: Examination, tooth preparation, impression, temporary crown placement

  • Visit 2: Fitting and cementing the permanent crown

• Bridges: Usually 2-3 visits

  • Visit 1: Examination, preparation of abutment teeth, impression, temporary bridge placement

  • Visit 2: Try-in and adjustment of the bridge

  • Visit 3 (if needed): Final cementation