Crowns & Bridges
Crowns and bridges are fixed structures that can only be removed by a dentist. They are required after root canal treatment
to protect the remaining tooth structure. While crowns are fixed dental prosthesis for only one tooth, bridges are fixed dental prosthesis that is used to replace missing tooth/teeth.
Crown is a cap or cover for your natural tooth over the remaining structure to
strengthen the teeth, restore the function, and improve the cosmetic
appearance and alignment in the mouth.
Crowns can be used under the following circumstances:
- Following canal treatment
- Replacing a large filling or large missing tooth structure
- Protecting a tooth form further fracturing
- Covering discoloured or worn teeth
- Improving the appearance of a tooth
What Types of Crowns Are Available?
- Ceramic- A porcelain-based material. These are popular for being able to provide a better natural tooth color and more suitable for people with metal allergies. Ceramic crowns are often used for front teeth.
- Gold alloys- Gold alloy crown contains a mix of several metals, making it available to withstand daily biting and chewing force. It is also difficult to be worn down.
- Base metal alloys
- Porcelain-fused- to-metal:
- Acrylic
Bridge is used to replace the gap left by one or more missing teeth. It is made up of two anchoring crowns and a false
tooth rigidly attached in between. The result of placing a bridge is a healthy and natural smile with full function.
Some dental bridges can also be attached to dental implants.
They may be used as the abutment teeth to support a bridge when more than one tooth is missing. The materials used for bridges can be made from porcelain, gold, or alloys. No matter what types of bridges are used, evaluation from dentists are always needed before proceeding.