What are Crowns?
A crown is a cap placed directly over one of your damaged or cracked teeth, thereby restoring its shape, size, and appearance. To have a crown placed, you will need to prepare the tooth in question for the crown, usually by reducing it. An impression is then taken and sent to the lab with other measurements to create the crown. When the crown returns from the lab, it is checked and fit into your mouth. Typically, a dentist will make observations such as the color of the crown and bite before sealing the crown into place.
Crowns can be made from many kinds of materials. Metals such as gold are particularly common, but you can also opt for porcelain, ceramic or all-resin crowns as well. Temporary crowns are typically made of stainless steel or acrylic.
What are the Benefits of Crowns?
There are many benefits of a crown such as:
- Holding together an otherwise cracked tooth or protecting a decayed and weak tooth from breaking altogether
- Restoring a tooth that is already broken or worn down
- Covering a dental implant
- Covering misshapen or discolored teeth
- Holding a bridge in place
What are Bridges?
When you have a gap between one or more missing teeth, you may want a bridge. These start with two crowns that are anchored to the teeth on either side of your gap. Between the crowns are false teeth to cover the gap, which are called pontics. These can be made from many different materials such as gold, porcelain, other alloys or some combination therein. Your bridges are further supported by either dental implants or what is left of your natural teeth.
What are the Benefits of Bridges?
Much like crowns, bridges offer many different benefits such as:
- Restoring your chewing (bite) and speaking ability
- Maintaining the shape of your smile and face
- Preventing your remaining teeth from shifting
