Gaining a proper understanding of all of your dental restoration options can be a challenge. However, knowing the benefits of these various options, and which are best suited to your specific situation can make a world of difference in restoring your smile and biting, chewing, and speech functions – and the self-confidence that comes with them!
Dental crowns and bridges are two very popular and well-regarded long-term dental restorations. Each solution can work wonders for individuals who’ve suffered from severe tooth damage or tooth loss by helping to preserve oral health and bite integrity and restore smile aesthetics.
Both are designed to match the color and shape of natural teeth and blend in seamlessly with your remaining teeth. Today, we’re going to examine the finer points of both dental crowns and bridges to equip you with the knowledge to choose with the utmost confidence the next time a dental restoration need arises!
What Is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns, sometimes also called "caps," are custom-fitted covers that either provide a protective and restorative casing for damaged teeth or are affixed to the top of dental implants to restore form, function, and aesthetics in the aftermath of tooth loss.
By shielding weakened or cracked teeth and protecting them from further damage, dental crowns offer an excellent restorative solution. Additionally, dental crowns provide renewed strength, a natural-looking aesthetic, and long-term functionality after a root canal.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials. The choice of material is usually based on the type of tooth to be capped, the location in the mouth, individual preferences, and budget. The most popular types of dental crowns are:
- Porcelain crowns have a natural translucency virtually identical to that of natural teeth.
- Metal (usually a gold or silver alloy), which can’t match porcelain’s aesthetic appeal but offer excellent durability.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) – a versatile solution that balances the strength and durability of metal crowns and the aesthetics of porcelain.
Dental crowns boast impressive longevity. With proper oral care and a healthy lifestyle, a dental crown can be expected to last for a decade or more.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that consist of (usually ceramic) artificial teeth that “bridge gaps” that arise in the mouth after tooth loss. Bridges are typically anchored in the mouth via clasps or other connectors to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Like crowns, bridges restore the form, function, and aesthetics of a person’s bite and smile while also helping to prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of alignment.
Here are a few common instances in which a dental bridge can be an excellent solution:
- To seamlessly fill in gaps between teeth, both natural and those caused by tooth loss.
- To preserve natural dental alignment by keeping remaining teeth from shifting.
- Enhancing the bite function improves chewing ability, digestion, and nutrient absorption.
As with crowns, the lifespan of dental bridges comes down to the materials used and proper care. With proper maintenance and routine dental visits, bridges typically last between 5 to 15 years.
Types of Dental Bridges
Like dental crowns, dental bridges come in a variety of forms. As they’re anchored between existing natural teeth using dental cement, traditional bridges provide excellent stability. Conventional bridges are typically supported by two adjacent teeth, which offer the added benefit of keeping teeth in line. When a patient is not a good candidate for a traditional bridge, a “Maryland bridge,” which is bonded to adjacent teeth using wings, may be used.
The Process of Placing Dental Crowns and Bridges
Maximizing the benefits of dental crowns and bridges begins with proper placement. Here's a brief overview of the process by which each of these solutions is placed.
To place a dental crown, first, the damaged portions of the damaged tooth are removed. Then, the dentist takes impressions of the remaining teeth so the crown can be custom-crafted. The impressions are sent to a laboratory, where the crown is custom-made. Once the crown is ready (within a week or two), it is securely bonded to the tooth using dental cement. Once the cement is dry, function and aesthetics should be restored!
The first step in installing dental bridges is the preparation of the adjacent teeth to support the bridge. Impressions are taken in this case so that a precise-fitting bridge can be custom-made. Once the bridge is ready, it is securely anchored by a dentist into the prepared space with dental cement. Again, once the bridge is properly secured, the patient’s bite is restored!
Precision-Placed Dental Crowns and Bridges in Audubon, NJ
If you're in Audubon and looking for a dental practice with the experience and expertise to meet your cosmetic dentistry needs, including the precise and proper placement of dental crowns and bridges, contact dentist Dr. John Savon and the Train Station Dental team to schedule a consultation!